Decades led a targeted operational improvement initiative to reduce the cost of self-performed maintenance work by using GPS data to identify and correct inefficiencies in daily technician routines. The objective was clear: increase productive labor hours, eliminate unnecessary travel and supply runs, and implement scalable systems that improve field performance and compliance.
The Challenge
Technicians were averaging just 2.5 productive hours per day, with the remaining time lost to uncoordinated travel, material sourcing, and reactive scheduling. This imbalance drove labor costs to $174 per productive hour—an unsustainable rate that threatened both service quality and long-term operational efficiency.
The Insights
Through a detailed review of GPS tracking data, the Decades team identified several key inefficiencies:
• Excessive travel time between sites due to non-optimized routing
• Frequent mid-day supply trips caused by incomplete pre-task planning
• Inconsistent task execution and documentation across teams
The findings revealed a need for structured reform across scheduling, logistics, and accountability.
The Strategic Response
To address these challenges, Decades designed and executed a four-part operational overhaul:
1. Pre-Task Site Assessments
Conducting inspections prior to dispatch ensured accurate scoping, clear material lists, and better preparation, eliminating guesswork before work began.
2. Centralized Material Procurement
By sourcing and loading materials in advance, Decades removed the need for technicians to shop during work hours. Crews arrived ready to complete their assignments, reducing downtime and improving output.
3. Optimized Scheduling
Route planning and task bundling significantly minimized travel time while increasing task density. Predictability improved, and idle time was reduced across the board.
4. Standardized Documentation
Implementing consistent scopes of work, time-tracking templates, and performance protocols provided greater accountability and improved compliance monitoring.
The Results
The impact of these changes was both measurable and transformative:
• Productive hours increased from 2.5 to 6.5 hours per day —> a 160% improvement.
• Labor cost per productive hour dropped from $174 to $73.
• Operational clarity improved across teams, resulting in consistent execution, better documentation, and enhanced performance oversight.
Lessons Learned
This initiative demonstrated that real-time data can be a powerful tool for operational reform. GPS tracking not only revealed hidden inefficiencies but also guided the design of systems that sustain measurable improvements. Success depended on three key factors: proactive planning, centralized logistics, and standardized workflows.
Next Steps
Building on these results, Decades is expanding this GPS-driven model across additional service lines. The next phase includes integrating real-time tracking, predictive scheduling, and performance dashboards to further enhance transparency, accountability, and client value.
