Wired for Growth: Streamlining Operations for Long-Term Success
Ascent implemented custom operational procedures and provided hands-on Procore training to deliver clear visibility into project financials for Edge Electric's operations team.
Location: Buda, TX
Founded in 2009 by Sandra and Russell Johnson, Edge Electric is an electrical contracting firm specializing in commercial electrical construction across the Austin Metro area. Their project portfolio includes new construction, tenant finishing, and utility service for both commercial and residential clientele.
Operational Design & Procore Implementation
Ascent conducted a thorough assessment of Edge’s operational structure and finances. Then, we developed and implemented new standardized processes and industry best practices. We also provided training to ensure Edge’s team was most effectively utilizing Procore’s project management and financial tools.
Finding Room for Growth & Improvement
Following Edge Electric's recent acquisition by a private equity firm, Ascent was contacted to conduct an extensive Operational Assessment of their business. The main goals were to highlight any area with room for improvement to promote scalability, along with learning new methods to better utilize Procore's project management and financial tools.
During this initial assessment, Ascent identified three key areas of the business that we felt could benefit from implementing some new industry best practices:
- Operational Roles & Responsibilities: There was some uncertainty among employees about the breakdown of key roles and responsibilities within the operations team.
- Procurement & Job Costing Management: Under-developed operational procedures were affecting productivity levels in Procurement and Job Costing.
- Utilization of Project Management Software: At the time, Edge's team was not utilizing Procore project management software to its highest capabilities.
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Putting Our Plan into Action
Following the Operational Assessment, Edge Electric partnered with Ascent again to lead the effort in implementing our proposed changes to their organization.
To address uncertainty about operational responsibilities, Ascent helped to create three new positions to anchor the operations team. One of these roles was the new Project Executive position, which would be responsible for overseeing all project management and administrative operations. Then, Ascent led multiple one-on-one and group training sessions with the operations team to ensure that they could confidently utilize Procore's various project management and financial tools to streamline their business.
To overcome challenges with Procurement and Job Costing, new Procurement Manager and Project Cost Administrator positions were created to closely monitor all aspects of their respective departments. Ascent helped in establishing a technology-aided procurement process to reduce the burden placed on the Procurement Manager. We also assisted in establishing a new universal job costing system to allow for greater accuracy and visibility into project financials in real time.
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The New Status Quo
By the end of this project, Edge Electric was able to successfully implement new processes and documentation to optimize their project management lifecycle. Additionally, their team was able to develop new skills to effectively utilize and maximize returns on their Procore project management software.
These procedural changes, along with newly established roles and responsibilities, have been major factors for Edge Electric in driving consistently higher levels of performance and productivity. With Ascent's help, they were able to establish these new baseline protocols, which have become the new framework for how the company operates.
The Edge team's dedicated commitment to change coupled with Ascent's operational design and Procore expertise have created a promising future to continue growing and expanding the company nationwide.
"This work allowed us to pinpoint our strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to plan for growth and success! ... We are so happy that we contacted Ascent to help us restructure our business in preparation for scaling nationwide!"
Sandra Johnson
President
Meet the team on this project:
Kevin Juliano
Lead Consultant & Procore Specialist
Aimee Collier
Procore Specialist
Take your business to the next level with Ascent!
Operational Assessment
Our expert construction consultants and construction business consultants have helped dozens of construction companies to improve performance and profits.
We've developed a proprietary Comprehensive Operational Assessment based on our first-hand experience working with growing Construction Companies.
In the Operational Assessment, we’ll work through a structured discovery project where, together, we’ll uncover what’s working well, what your organization struggles with, and what may be needed to grow.
Learn more about Ascent's comprehensive Operational Assessment & more operational services >
Operational Design
Profitability is directly related to repeatability: getting everyone in the organization to operate the same way.
When everyone is aligned and operating in unison, then it becomes easier to add people (superintendents, project managers, estimators, accountants, administrators) and achieve consistent and repeatable results.
By getting everyone aligned and operating from the same model of processes and systems, the business becomes more efficient and easier for owners to manage.