An interview with Chris Steward, Senior Project Manager at GBG
Founded by an expert in the geophysical industry, GBG Group specializes in geophysical, environmental and structural investigations. Its work is crucial in protecting both historically significant buildings like the Houses of Parliament in the U.K. and future-focused sites like wind farms to support the renewable energy transition.
Its in-house geotechnical team and structural engineering divisions mean GBG can provide consultancy throughout a project's lifecycle. However, GBG found that keeping track of project notes and photographs was slowing projects down. It needed a new way to speed up reporting and achieve complete visibility of every project.
We spoke to Chris Steward, Senior Project Manager at GBG, to find out how Deltek ArchiSnapper is helping the team unlock new levels of efficiency and collaboration.
With ArchiSnapper, we're all looking at the same images and information, and that shared visibility has been really beneficial in informing every project stage.
GBG Hits the Limits of Manual Site Note Sharing
GBG's UK team spends a lot of time out on site. Site notes and drawings were all done by hand, and getting all that information back into the office relied on team members physically coming in to scan their information into the system. That could cause week-long delays, which added up to a significant amount of time lost on projects.
The team could share site photos faster through email or WhatsApp, but this method was far from ideal for several reasons. Shared photos were often of low image quality and lacked valuable metadata that would show exactly where and when each photo was taken. GBG needed a comprehensive application to consolidate and democratize field reporting.
"Just receiving notes without knowing where they're taken from is always difficult," explains Chris. "We wanted a solution where we could have all of our site notes and photos in one place."
GBG Adopts Easy-to-Use, Comprehensive Field Report Software
GBG tried a few different solutions but chose Deltek ArchiSnapper for its ease of use and backend features. "One of my more tech-savvy colleagues did some initial research into the app, its capabilities and the backend features," Chris says. "It's great because with the API feed we can take information from the app and then plug it into the different software systems that we have."
Chris has also undertaken his own tests on different projects to see which field report software worked best. One thing that made ArchiSnapper stand out was the ability to edit tags to suit GBG's projects and way of working.
"The ability to edit all the tags was fantastic because there are a lot of times where we are doing survey work where we don't want to write out things every single time, and we can just hit a button," Chris tells us. "For example, if we're looking at a reinforced concrete structure and need to do a breakout to say what size the reinforcement is, what type it is, and what condition it is, we can just quickly and easily tick all those tags."
Efficiency, Accuracy, and Collaboration in Every Project
Since adopting ArchiSnapper, Chris and his team have already experienced a range of benefits. "One of the biggest benefits has been handwriting," explains Chris. "Because we're involved in structural surveying, numbers are critical. Getting the width of a beam wrong, even by a few millimeters, can have a big influence on that structural design. So, not having to keep asking people to explain their handwriting and, instead, seeing a number you can rely on has been really useful. "
The ability to add site photos to reports alongside vital context has also been a huge win for GBG. The team can now show its clients exactly what lies behind the final finishes, giving clear visibility into the complete structure.
ArchiSnapper has also sped up information sharing and reporting. "Instead of having to wait until the end of the week to get site notes, I now have a daily update," Chris says. "I can then have a look first thing the next morning, review what the team has done, and check if there are any questions, issues, or information to discuss. With ArchiSnapper, we're all looking at the same images and information, and that shared visibility has been really beneficial to inform every project stage."
Three Lessons That Helped the Entire Team Benefit from Deltek ArchiSnapper
Chris also offered advice to other firms looking to adopt field reporting software.
Give people the support they need
"Training is key. Put guides in place to cover the features you'll use most and make sure everyone knows where to turn if they need help. There are lots of learning tools on the Deltek ArchiSnapper website with heaps of useful information, too."
Don't let anyone get left behind on the journey
"Start small and take time to make sure each member of your staff knows how to use the software before scaling up. We have a wide range of people who work for us, some more tech-savvy than others, but they all got to grips with ArchiSnapper."
Get started and try it for yourself
"Just jump in, ArchiSnapper has so much functionality beyond what we use. There are loads of capabilities that will be really useful to any company."
Simplify Your Field Reporting with Deltek ArchiSnapper
Deltek ArchiSnapper is an easy-to-use field app that can help you deliver paperless inspections, automated field reports and simplified snag lists. Ready to reduce site reporting time by up to 70%? Start your 14-day free trial of Deltek ArchiSnapper and see how real-time field data can drive smarter decisions and faster project delivery.
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About GBG Group
GBG Group is a leading provider of non-destructive structural inspection and site investigation services for the civil engineering, building and construction industries. Specializing in materials testing, geotechnical investigations, and remediation design, GBG Group delivers innovative solutions that ensure structural integrity and sustainability. With expertise in civil and structural engineering, water engineering and the chemistry of building materials, GBG Group supports clients with cutting-edge technology and industry-leading methodologies.
