Going one step further for our client: SOCOTEC team deliver on problem-solving

Challenge

The task given to our team was to move a cold water storage tank from one location to another. This water tank was based at a school, and supplied all the water services for the building, including toilets, sinks and kitchens.

The works were planned outside of term time, in order to keep disruption to a minimum. However, the school still had on-site staff including cleaner, caretakers, maintenance engineers and teachers catching up on paperwork, all of whom had to be considered. As a result, SOCOTEC was required to provide welfare facilities to support all the possible stakeholders.

This situation created potential compliance issues with occupational health standards.

As water services would be switched on and off throughout the week-long project; we were also required to organise and communicate between our client, the school personnel, as well as SOCOTEC’s plumbing teams, electricians for the power works and equipment suppliers to enable a smooth running project.

Solution

This is where SOCOTEC’s project management team came into its own, mapping out the following plan of action:

• SOCOTEC began by contacting its network of trusted suppliers
• The delivery of portable welfare facilities including toilets, kitchenette and work space was then arranged for
• SOCOTEC handled all logistics and positioning requirements, providing transparent, up-to-date communication throughout the timeline of events

This proactive approach helped keep the project running on time and to the previously agreed schedule – important given the school had to be serviceable in time for the beginning of term.

Due to SOCOTEC’s level of expertise, site compliance with health and safety regulations was maintained throughout the project, with the team able to carry out problem-solving on many activities beyond its core services. This all came together to build stronger relationships with the client, who witnessed firsthand the SOCOTEC team’s dedication to the project’s success.

What began as a practical solution to a unique challenge evolved into a larger opportunity to strengthen the relationship with our client. Our client later commented that our willingness to address peripheral issues demonstrated a true partnership rather than a transactional “service” relationship.

Conclusion

The entire project demonstrated several key points for our SOCOTEC team:

• Help assist our clients with their needs, that may be beyond the originally contracted scope
• Take ownership of challenges, even when they may fall outside of our direct responsibility
• Communicate solutions rather than just problems with our client
• View unexpected situations as opportunities to demonstrate value

At SOCOTEC, we believe that risk management extends beyond technical assessment to include practical solutions in order to help keep projects moving forward – this is the perfect example of a team who listened to its client, and found a solution that helped all concerned remain positive and happy.