As the spring outage season appears to be slowing down, now is a good time to begin reflecting on our performance and looking ahead (just a little).

First, I am very proud of how our APM has delivered for our customers and our craft in an unprecedented time. Some examples of our performance success include:

• Recordable Injuries are down significantly year-over-year (6 injuries in 2020 v. 10 in 2019), as well as our First Aids (12 FAs in 2020 v. 33 in 2019). We have worked hard to keep our people safe and healthy.

• Cost of Poor Quality is down significantly year-over-year ($59k YTD in 2020 v. $119k in 2019 through Q2). With a few exceptions, we are executing with high precision and delivering a strong customer experience.

• Open Reporting numbers have increased year-over-year (845 reports with 90% lessons learned in 2020 v. 648 in 2019 with 77% lessons learned) to represent our commitment to a proactive, learning culture. 

• We have done well to embrace Lean 5S on our jobsites to keep the work areas clean and organized during COVID-19. Our Lean focus has also produced more than $300k in verified cost savings, which builds credibility for repeated work at customer sites.

Second, our APM Leadership has been looking ahead to how COVID-19 will change our business in the medium and long term, and thus our conversations have shifted in scope from 100% tactical to 50/50 tactical and strategic. Some examples of these topics include:

• Our Tool Center Team is assessing and making plans to stock additional PPE that will better protect employees in future events like the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Our IT & Innovation Team is considering the best remote working technology, digital tools, and policies for the most effective collaboration during this time and beyond.

• Our HR Team is developing best practices for virtual onboarding and training through the use of digital communication and development of standard operating procedures.

• Our Operations Team is benchmarking the tactics we have held to address guidance and protocols during this event compared to other top industry contractors so we can leverage the most effective management strategies for the future.

However, I have been reminded this week that the tactical is still so very important, especially in this environment. Learnings are still occurring frequently, and thus our practices are also evolving. I expect us to
remain committed to these focus areas, which will ensure we finish the spring outage season strong:

• Maintain daily focus and confidence. You know the playbook we have for COVID-19 management and normal fulfillment operations. Keep your focus on execution, specifically safety and quality excellence, which matter now more now than ever with a stretched healthcare system.

• Communicate through the chain of command in place. Continue to elevate any concerns that arise to get help. Your APM leadership and the entire corporate organization is actively working with our various partners – GE, FieldCore, Customers, Labor, and more – to answer your questions and clear your paths, and to make your sites safe places.

• Lead yourself and your teams. This is a daily evolving challenge; our resilience and discipline is being tested. Use your leadership toolbox – CBS, HOP, Leadership tools – to have meaningful, personal conversation.

I also remain humbled to hear of the many good customer feedback stories, such as the below quote for our Grays Harbor job, performed by our Gas West Team, which earned 5 stars!

“The GE, FieldCore, APM Team at Grays Harbor performed exceptionally. The team adapted well to the unprecedented circumstance presented by COVID19 and kept moving our project forward. The combination of Field Engineer - Lance Klosa, Outage Manager - Brian Yu, Superintendent - Travis Self, and especially Customer Satisfaction Leader - Anthony Salcedo kept the site Management well informed and aware of all situations as soon as they came up. Each time something came up, a solution or path to resolution was readily available.”

Thank you to this team and to all of our teams that have represented APM well during this challenging season!

—Jake