Fiber Builds: Prioritizing Damage Prevention through Effective Partnerships. A Case Study.

In recent years, fiber builds have become one of the main topics of concern at national, state, and regional damage prevention, UCC, and 811 center meetings. We know fiber builds move quickly through a geographic area. Fiber utilities are also known to be very competitive with each other. There is a goal to be the first one to plant their flag before others arrive. Most other utilities are not faced with this competitive nature. Most fiber utilities are also known to use a prime contractor to build their infrastructure.

Fiber contractors struggle with getting utility locate requests completed on-time and when they are completed, they face a large percentage of mismarks. Congested rights-of-way and utility easements are also a common concern. Recently, I had the opportunity to present at a large damage prevention summit on “How to Thread the Needle.” This presentation deals with safely excavating when the area is extremely congested with other utilities. There are many other concerns as well. The response to each of these concerns has an impact on the other utilities and those who live and work in the intended area of construction. So, what is the answer?

“THE KEY IS PARTNERSHIPS. WE NEED TO PARTNER WITH THE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AND WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE OUR GOAL. THERE ARE MANY VITAL PARTNERSHIPS. THE UTILITIES, LOCATING GROUPS, CONTRACTORS, AND 811 CENTERS ALL NEED TO PARTNER WITH EACH OTHER TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM DAMAGE PREVENTION. EACH OF THESE STAKEHOLDERS ALSO NEEDS TO REALIZE THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS THEY RECEIVE WHEN ALL THESE STAKEHOLDERS PARTNER TOGETHER.”

Accomplishing a safe and profitable fiber build with damage prevention as a high priority is almost impossible on your own. The key is partnerships. We need to partner with the other stakeholders and work together to achieve our goal. There are many vital partnerships. The utilities, locating groups, contractors, and 811 centers all need to partner with each other to achieve maximum damage prevention. Each of these stakeholders also needs to realize the financial benefits they receive when all these stakeholders partner together.

At Metronet, we believe the fiber builder should set the example and reach out to the other stakeholders with a goal of building a strong partnership with each of them. A key step toward building these partnerships is empathy. Understanding the other stakeholder’s point of view goes a long way in finding mutual ground from which both groups can work. I can insist that my point of view is correct and that they must adhere, but at the end of the day that only hurts a potential partnership. There is a reason why the other side is acting or responding a certain way, and it is important for us to find out why and then use that understanding to help find a way forward for all sides.

Potentially, communication may be the most important and strategic foundation of these key partnerships. It is through communication and keeping avenues of communication open that we can learn what the other side is thinking and what they need. Successful project management principles point to the importance of fiber builds continuously forecasting with the other stakeholders where they are going and how fast they will be moving. Preconstruction meetings with all stakeholders, along with weekly and sometimes daily updates with each other, are also important. It is through these types of meetings that a contractor can learn about potential complications, and in doing so can then work out a plan with the other stakeholder so they can avoid a potential slow down and what could have become a damaged utility.

Partnerships are key, and empathy and communication are key to these partnerships. To learn more about the strategic partnerships Metronet has built with other stakeholders to accomplish our fiber builds, please plan to attend my presentation at the Global Excavation Safety Conference in Tampa, FL in February 2023. I am excited to have the opportunity to share with you and to hear your thoughts.