Formatted Title
Digital Reporting with PlanEngage: Synthesize, Summarize, Explore, Deliver
Background/Objectives
A major challenge in the environmental industry is communicating data on an interactive platform, where clients or the public can easily access, digest and apply the information presented. Recent software applications have greatly improved stakeholder communication and access to reports. However, data synthesis and data presentation in these applications commonly lack meaningful client or user interaction. Moreover, the traditional method of communicating site data and results using static PDF documents often prevents an in-depth understanding of the data, clutters take away messaging or conclusions and negatively impacts review times. PlanEngage, initially developed to replace the static PDF report, has now developed into a comprehensive tool to streamline communication through all stages of a project. This web-based solution accepts models from leading software (e.g., EVS) and pairs it to the report allowing the user a deeper understanding through self- or guided-exploration of the team’s technical work.
Approach/Activities
We demonstrate the power of a web-based approach through an integrated and interactive data display using a case example in PlanEngage. The value of improved communication with the client, stakeholder and public is highlighted through the use of dashboards that provide live projects updates to the appropriate teams. This approach is particularly valuable for complex projects or programs with many moving parts. Viewing, editing, or commenting privileges can be issued to anyone involved allowing for structured, real-time feedback.
Results/Lessons Learned
Large projects with robust historical archives utilizing PlanEngage, such as the Faro Mine Remediation Project, are especially positioned to experience benefits of the platform. This remediation project has thousands of wells that need to be accessible within a dynamic GIS database to place it within the context of decades of historical work. In addition to a GIS interface, creating a centralized repository for historical files that allows easy access, evaluation and interaction with current data sets can be extremely valuable to project teams and decision makers. Other projects have experienced expedited decision making such as the Pasco County Florida Power Plant Facility Expansion from efficient public interaction driven by clear communication and increased accessibility through the PlanEngage platform. The full potential of PlanEngage for remedial project uses all of these benefits to better understand the site, guide field actives, create robust CSMs, provide results, and communicate conclusions.