At Heijmans Infra, it's about more than just building. This is evident from an inspiring interview with Daniëlle Schols, environmental manager at Heijmans, in which she explains how the collaboration platform Clearly.Projects plays a key role in the smooth running of complex projects. Her experience shows how technology and careful environmental management go hand in hand.
Environmental management at Heijmans Infra
Daniëlle has been working as an environmental manager at Heijmans Infra for two years, within the process and environmental management department for central projects. Together with 25 other colleagues, she provides input for environmental management for various infrastructure projects, such as energy and road construction projects and asset management. As an environmental manager, Daniëlle arranges everything in the environment for large projects. “You do everything except construction,” she explains. From conditioning studies such as explosives and soil studies to managing resident contact and stakeholder management; the work area is broad and dynamic. “No day is the same, and that keeps it challenging and fun.”
Daniëlle and her colleagues often work on multiple projects at the same time. Some projects only require 4 hours per week, while other projects require three environmental managers at the same time. An environmental manager usually works on multiple projects at the same time. The executors who work on the project are often full-time. “We occasionally step in. It is very difficult to manage this. You cannot say that you are there on Monday and there on Wednesday. If something happens, you will have to intervene immediately.” In all cases, this requires clear (integral) project registration, so that overview and efficiency are guaranteed.
Challenges and communication during the redevelopment of the Bodemplein
One of the projects Daniëlle is working on is the redevelopment of the Bodemplein in Brunssum. In six months, a classic intersection with traffic lights was replaced by two roundabouts, which improves traffic flow and provides space for climate-adaptive measures, such as a water buffer.
"If someone doesn't know something, it's a nuisance. If someone knows something, it becomes a nuisance"
The project had challenges, such as managing diversions and the impact on residents. “We were literally working in someone’s front yard,” says Daniëlle. So you have to deal with direct consequences for residents, such as noise and vibrations. If you are used to always being able to drive to your front door and park there, it takes some getting used to when that is not possible for 10 to 12 weeks. Good communication with residents and stakeholders, such as the municipality, companies and public transport companies, was crucial. “If someone does not know something, it is a nuisance. If someone knows something, it becomes a nuisance, which is easier to accept.”
To minimize the inconvenience, Heijmans used various tools, including Clearly.Projects and the BouwApp. The BouwApp offered travelers up-to-date information about closures and diversions, while Clearly.Projects ensured streamlined handling of questions and complaints. “I only have to handle everything on one platform and can make analyses immediately,” Daniëlle explains.
Clearly.Projects played a crucial role in communicating with the environment. “If an area is temporarily inaccessible, you can easily filter on a specific region in Clearly.Projects,” says Daniëlle. “You retrieve the relevant data, see which addresses are affected and can communicate directly about what is going on.”
After the project, Clearly.Projects was extended to better handle claims. “The system offers a process-based approach to claims handling and helps build a complete file,” Daniëlle explains. “All emails and files are centrally located in one place, and I can view previous contacts with residents. In addition, the program gives me structure and direction in how to approach the handling, which helps enormously.”
Clearly.Projects: The linchpin in efficient project communication
Daniëlle explains how Clearly.Projects plays a central role in stakeholder management and project communication. “Clearly.Projects is used to record stakeholders, contact persons, contact moments with residents and stakeholders, including complaints and damage reports, tasks, questions and bottlenecks that arise during the work. In Clearly.Projects we keep track of everything centrally,” she says. This not only ensures transparent communication, but also a GDPR-proof working method, in which data is securely stored and shared within the project team.
“Where I used to have to keep track of everything in Excel, Clearly.Projects now provides structure and accessibility for the entire team,”
A major advantage is the platform's accessibility: registering and sharing information is faster and clearer than ever. "Where I used to have to keep track of everything in Excel, Clearly.Projects now offers structure and accessibility for the entire team," says Daniëlle. The link with the BouwApp reinforces this even further, because residents and stakeholders can easily stay informed of work and closures via one platform.
What Daniëlle finds most useful is the endless possibilities of the program. You can integrate all the open data you want into it, which gives you a tailor-made program. “The flexibility of Clearly.Projects makes it possible to set up exactly what you need for a specific project,” she emphasizes.
Integrated collaboration with Clearly.Projects: One platform for the entire project team
Clearly.Projects is the platform for integrated collaboration, and this is also evident from the way in which this project team at Heijmans Infra works with it. The team, consisting of the junior environmental manager, the executor, the assistant executor and the client, works together within one system. The client has insight rights, which radiates confidence in the process, while the executor experiences the platform as a valuable addition.
“Sometimes you spend hours calling back and forth to get hold of someone, while in Clearly it can be arranged in three minutes.”
With the entire team working in one system, questions and comments were forwarded immediately, ensuring seamless collaboration and transparency. Instead of endlessly calling back and forth to reach the right person, employees could record their answers directly in Clearly.Projects. “Sometimes you spend hours calling back and forth to get hold of someone, while in Clearly it can be done in three minutes.” This more efficient way of working also improved conversations with residents. Because all information was central, the focus per conversation was on what really needed to be coordinated. “Nothing is forgotten, because everything is recorded immediately.” By recording conversation moments and notifications, not only is the burden of proof recorded, but the communication process also runs more smoothly. “Whether they call me or speak to a hired colleague, everyone has the same information. That makes handling questions faster and prevents unnecessary waiting times.”
“I have Clearly open 90% of the time.
“I have Clearly open 90% of the time. If a resident calls with questions, I can immediately see whether there is a closure, which resident I am speaking to and what happened earlier.” Daniëlle adds: “You have to show executors the benefits of registering in Clearly and show them that it is not complicated at all and hardly takes any time. It is a valuable addition to be able to easily see which agreements have been made with which residents or stakeholders during the execution. The method may be new to some executors. “Unknown breeds unloved, and that is something you run into a bit at first,” Daniëlle admits, “but ultimately the benefits convince.”
From individual lists to central collaboration: the difference with Clearly.Projects
“I try to be there every week, but if I'm not there, I am now informed and can make adjustments where necessary.”
Previously, project information was fragmented among individual employees, often in Excel files that were not GDPR-proof. This made information management dependent on one person and resulted in many call-back requests to check appointments. “Where I used to sit with an Excel sheet on a laptop, I can now simply operate Clearly.Projects on my phone or iPad,” says Daniëlle. With Clearly.Projects, that is a thing of the past: all data is now central, secure and accessible to those who need it. “Everyone who needs to enter something has access; those who don’t need to enter it can’t enter it.” This offers more control and insight into progress, even remotely. “I try to be there every week, but if I’m not there, I am now informed and can make adjustments where necessary.”
In addition, Daniëlle no longer needs to draw up separate complaint reports, because everything is immediately visible in Clearly.Projects.
Inspiration for future users
Daniëlle's advice to future users is clear: "It gives you a good foothold if you want to deal well with your environment." For organizations that are still hesitating, she has a clear message: "I can only recommend it."
Want to know more?
Want to know how Clearly.Projects can effectively contribute to positive change in your community and project area and how it can provide visual insight into your route?
Please contact Dominique Goes or request your free trial period and demo here