Stantec moves from Paper to Power

Modernizing Safety Practices: Stantec’s FLRA Power App Simplifies Real-time Field Risk Assessments.

In this project, DevFacto collaborated with Stantec to enhance their safety practices by implementing an electronic version of the Field Level Risk Assessment (FLRA) paper form. In Phase I, a successful Proof of Concept (POC) was developed, validating the responsive user interface and seamless online/offline functionality using the Power Platform. The solution efficiently handled millions of records within Stantec’s existing Microsoft licensing entitlements. 

Phase II focused on improving mobile usability and supporting multiple languages. Through this, a user-friendly and mobile-ready FLRA Power App was implemented, allowing real-time reporting from the field in various languages. The project resulted in a highly responsive and adaptable solution, elevating Stantec as a successful global business.

Phase I Challenge

Stantec is an internationally recognized professional services company in the engineering design and consulting industry. Our client wanted to improve safety practices by implementing an electronic version of their Field Level Risk Assessment (FLRA) paper form. These forms are incredibly important and are submitted by thousands of people worldwide each year.

To bring this idea to life, DevFacto joined forces with Stantec to develop a working Proof of Concept (POC). Our goal was to create a user-friendly and responsive digital FLRA experience using Microsoft’s Power Platform. However, we faced a few challenges along the way. Stantec needed a seamless online/offline user experience, the capability to handle millions of records and potentially hundreds of millions of data elements annually, and, most importantly, a solution that didn’t require any additional licensing costs beyond their current Microsoft entitlements.

We were excited to take on these complexities and deliver a solution that met Stantec’s needs while keeping unnecessary expenses to a minimum.

Phase I Solution

Our team worked to design a Proof of Concept (POC) that tested the feasibility of the suggested solution architecture. This involved creating a user-friendly Power Apps front-end, while using SharePoint as a temporary data repository. We proposed storing the data using Azure resources, ensuring reliable reporting. 

Phase I Outcome – Success!

The Proof of Concept was deemed a resounding success. The team validated their assumptions using SharePoint’s responsiveness, even with a massive list of over 2 million records! The online/offline functionality performed as expected, however it required some minor tweaks as it evolved. 

We deployed a highly responsive Azure solution that met all the required specifications. Importantly, we were able to achieve all of this within the existing E3 license, taking advantage of its numerous benefits. The successful validation of the architecture not only enabled but also motivated Stantec to invest in expanding the Proof of Concept into a fully-fledged production solution.

Phase II Challenge

DevFacto had previously implemented an electronic version of a Field Level Risk Assessment (FLRA) paper form to capture detailed safety-related data in the field, as reported by staff and contractors. Tens of thousands of these reports are filled out and submitted on an annual basis across the globe, and our solution provided the ease of electronic, real-time information uploads. With the FLRA initial phase being such a success, Stantec approached us with a desire to enhance the program’s mobile usability in addition to supporting multiple languages.

After analyzing data, we discovered that most users access the FLRA on mobile devices like phones and tablets. Unfortunately, the current version of the program wasn’t optimized for seamless mobile use. Stantec recognized the need for an efficient solution, allowing the easy addition or removal of languages as they expanded the FLRA’s implementation across different countries.

We were excited to collaborate with Stantec and improve the existing tool to meet these requirements. Our goal was to make the FLRA more user-friendly, mobile-ready, and adaptable to different languages – ensuring a smoother experience for users worldwide.

Phase II Solution

During this phase, we gathered valuable insights and feedback from selected key users who were identified to test the POC.

The next phase concentrated on implementing the new solution across the entire FLRA system, incorporating the feedback received during phase one. We carefully considered the input collected from the key users and made adjustments to ensure we delivered a robust and user-friendly tool.

By following this approach, we aimed to deliver an improved FLRA experience that met the needs of Stantec and its users, while considering their valuable feedback throughout the development process.

Phase II Outcome – A Fully Responsive App 

Stantec’s FLRA Power App is now fully responsive, adapting perfectly to mobile devices. This enables users to report incidents and work on them directly from the field, in real-time. We have simplified the process of adding new languages by using a localization file, eliminating the need for extensive Power Apps development. Now, reporting can be seamlessly conducted in multiple languages, truly showcasing Stantec as a successful global business!

Conclusion

Through a collaborative effort with DevFacto, Stantec successfully transformed its safety practices by implementing the cutting-edge FLRA App. By streamlining risk assessment processes, enabling real-time reporting from the field, and supporting multiple languages, the FLRA App empowered Stantec’s workforce to proactively address safety concerns and ensure regulatory compliance effortlessly. With a responsive and user-friendly solution that harnessed the power of Microsoft’s Power Platform, Stantec showcased its commitment to safety, process efficiency, and global excellence, solidifying its position as an industry leader in engineering design and consulting worldwide. As Stantec continues to safeguard its operations and the welfare of its employees, the FLRA App stands as a testament to the fruitful collaboration between Stantec and DevFacto, resulting in a safer and more successful future for the organization and its stakeholders.