Workflow Management for Better Processes and Projects

Distribution and deployment are often so niche that finding workflows that can keep up proves difficult. 

There are companies out there looking into 6G, exploring grid-scale storage systems, and using data centers to experiment with terabit speeds. Teams are rewriting the rules of high-speed internet and power generation and distribution, but they’re trying to execute these incredible projects and improvements using rigid workflows, pen-and-paper, or software from the early 2000s (if we’re being generous). 

It’s not that software is outdated or dysfunctional (although sometimes that’s true). It’s that telecom and utility workflows are so unique that by the time you build and implement software to address specific needs, those needs and problems have evolved. 

It’s hard to set our sights on the next advancement or tackle new challenges when every daring deployment scope and revolutionary clean energy solution requires an entirely new workflow, hand-built software, set of tools, and months of training. 

At its core, we’ve found that it boils down to three main things: 

1. Standardized, mass-produced software lets teams get rolling on day one, but often creates rigid workflows that strongarm projects to fit their prescribed process, rather than letting you dictate what’s optimal for your team. 

2. Bespoke, build-it-yourself software lets you craft your own tools and workflows, but demands such a huge lift and long on-ramp that it interrupts your team’s momentum.

3. Sometimes you don’t know what you need until you need it, and without the right workflow, it’s nearly impossible to pivot or adjust in real time. 

So teams feel stuck, having to choose either standard software for faster implementation or DIY software that addresses their workflows and needs. 

But it doesn’t have to be an either/or. It should be a both/and, with software that you can start using on day one and constantly improves for better workflows. 

If a process doesn’t actively help teams take on new projects, it’s preventing them from reaching their full potential. 

Walking the Tightrope Between Rigidity and DIY

Our team built Katapult Pro because we needed software that actually worked for our scopes but still left room to grow and try new things. As we’ve expanded what it can do, we never want Katapult Pro to be a hindrance to your growth or success. There’s a healthy balance between structure and customization that software needs to find so that teams can leverage the right workflows.These are just a couple of the ways we try to strike that balance within Katapult Pro. 

Customizable Notifications 

Managing work means managing people and expectations. Coordinating with construction crews and keeping stakeholders informed helps improve relationships. Automatic notifications, status updates, and timed events help you determine the right rhythm for communications and updates that don’t overburden your team but still build stronger relationships with your clients and contractors. 

This is especially helpful when you’re coordinating projects with lots of dependencies and moving pieces (like reconductoring) to keep everyone on the same page. 

It’s also great for joint use—if we’re going to meet FCC timelines and manage attachments, we have to be on top of communication. Automatic notifications alert Company A that it’s their turn to move, remind Company B when Company A has finished, etc. 

Creating New Workflows

There are, of course, some similarities between conducting underground equipment inventories and installing reclosers, but the fact is, both initiatives run a little smoother when they’re approached as unique projects. The model editor in Katapult Pro lets you create new workflows for reclosers, underground inventories, attachment audits, joint use applications, and so on.  Different project types can follow their own flowchart, with configurable statuses and signoffs based on specific needs within the project. 

You can also create tools and apply them to different workflows. This is especially helpful for data collection and engineering: you can build tools to mark up and annotate data and adjust engineering functions based on the demands of your projects.  

Crafting Dashboards for Compliance

Regulatory compliance is crucial for ensuring projects meet standards, but tracking is a full-time job, and sometimes visibility into tracking gets messy. As applications and jobs progress through your workflow, Katapult Pro tracks statuses and timelines to show you what your process looks like. Use our out-of-the-box options that help you stay within national or federal compliance, but you can also create your own reports to track KPIs and assess program health. 

Custom Configuration and Consulting

Because the same tools can also be leveraged in different ways, Katapult Pro products include implementation set-up to help make sure our default workflows align with your teams’ goals. Our team works with you, so you can dictate solutions and optimize the platform based on the work you’re doing. 

(An important note: sometimes projects are out of the ordinary or demand a totally unique approach. In those situations, our team can consult on an entirely new workflow built to your specifications.)

Distribution and telecom projects will always be complex, but managing them doesn’t have to be painful. The right workflows don’t just help you tackle your current projects—they have the flexibility to give you a margin for growth and room to keep improving.  

More functionality and implementation are coming on January 8—talk to us today to learn how you can extend your use of Katapult Pro to other workflows. We'd love to hear about them and help you win! Contact us at contact@katapultengineering.com!