Firm completely transforms how it plans and executes marine interior outfitting projects with app
By
Jon Ingleton |
Polish engineer Karol Adamiecki caused a sensation when he introduced the harmonogram in 1903. This precursor to contemporary project management software apparently increased output by up to 400 per cent. Now, 118 years later, UK-based marine interior outfitter Trimline has created a solution that may have a similar impact.
Even with a high level of customisation, enterprise project management systems often fall short of being the perfect solution because they are generic by default, which is particularly problematic for highly specialised maritime outfitting projects. So, while the cruise industry took a pause during the pandemic, Trimline seized the opportunity to reinvent its processes and build a system to run them more efficiently.
Nick Farrell, owner of Trimline, gave Cruise & Ferry a full demo of Trimline App (TAPP) during Cruise Ship Interiors Expo in London in December 2021. In essence, the concept is straightforward – break down a big job into thousands of small jobs, assign them all to individuals who then tick them off as each is completed.
While outfitting work has followed this approach for many years, TAPP takes it three steps further and now runs Trimline’s entire operations, from generating quotes through to final project sign-offs – with complete and live project visibility available to clients on-site or online.
There are clear benefits for on-site tradespeople, who now have a daily schedule to work through and record, enabling quality and productivity checks. The system also manages their timekeeping and health and safety commitments. Incoming materials are more efficiently managed too, with deliveries synchronised to be in the right place at the right time – even if the schedule changes.
Marella Cruises trialled TAPP for its last project and found particular value in the easy online access to live and transparent data. As the cruise line prepares for its next dry dock, Matthew Easton, hotel refurbishment manager, said: “I have access to all the live data, from procurement to resource levels. At the touch of a button I can access, review and approve all drawings and furniture, fixtures, and equipment. It's great that I'll also have access to this historic data for future reference.”
Total project transparency will find favour among Trimline’s clients as it continues to seek greater efficiencies. Giving a ‘warts and all’ insight into project progress is a bold move, such is the company’s confidence in its craft.