Standard Operating Procedure: Operational Development Ensures P1 Can Do the Job

What would happen if P1 employees didn’t have a resource for learning our standard procedures?

Learning to understand, use, and change with process, procedure, and technology is critical to P1 operations running smoothly.

In a company of 1,000+ associates, there are two people making sure they do.

Those two people are Director of Organizational and Talent Development Sarah Garcia and Training Specialist Tennille Tegeler.

Between them, they handle two sides of the P1 training coin: office and field.

“Project management process and procedure” is how Sarah describes the overview of what she handles, focusing on project managers (PMs) and project coordinators (PCs).

This means she has the critical role of not just teaching people how to use the software and systems implemented at P1, such as The Link, COINS ERP, and AutoDesk Construction Cloud, but also helping determine what systems will best serve the company.

“My role is focused on developing process and procedures in our new systems, deciding on those systems, then training the PMs and PCs on how to use those systems,” Sarah explained.

Pictured, above: Director of Organizational and Talent Development Sarah Garcia

Both Sarah and Tennille have to first understand the processes, procedures, and software themselves in order to teach it to others – an impressive feat considering how fast these things can change.

Sarah says her method of training has evolved from group sessions in the past - where several people were trained on the same topic - to individual sessions that take into account each person’s level of experience.

“The group sessions weren’t working because they all have such different levels of knowledge,” Sarah said. “I now coordinate with each new employee when they come on board.”

“I’m not going to teach a project manager with 20 years of industry experience the same way I teach a new project engineer just out of college.”

Sarah says the one-on-one with new PMs works best, or, on the rare occasion there are several people starting with the same level of experience, they may be trained together.

Training typically consists of two-hour sessions once a week.

“The duration is dependent on the individual – it could take two months, or six months, depending on how similar their prior company’s procedures were to P1,” Sarah explained.

Sarah also presents to the project management teams a couple times a year with two-hour sessions on needed or relevant topics.

This includes Lawrence and Lenexa mechanical and electrical teams, remote offices such as St. Joseph,
Las Vegas, Nebraska, and large job sites like Pryor, OK.

While Sarah focuses on office personnel, Tennille works with field personnel.

“Anytime we have a new foreman, I work with them on using the iPad and learning the same process and procedures Sarah teaches the office,” Tennille said.

Tennille also uses the one-to-one approach, often traveling so the foreman doesn’t have to leave the jobsite. She also attends foremen meetings where she will train on a specific relevant topic.

What if They Stay? A Commitment to Training

P1 Group Chairman of the Board Smitty Belcher had a philosophy many P1 associates remember well.

When asked “what if you spend all this time and money training people and they leave?” he would always reply “What if I don’t train them and they stay?”

When five separate companies merged to form P1 Group in 2001, no one was doing things the same way and the need to streamline process and procedure became apparent.

P1’s staunch commitment to properly training its people led to the development of P1 University in 2007.

Sarah, who had previously worked long hours as a Project Manager, was starting a family and looking for a different role at P1.

“The initiative to consolidate and ensure consistent training across the board was perfect timing,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed teaching process and procedure–not many people do–the need was there and so was I.”

To say technology changes fast is an understatement, and Tennille says one of the biggest challenges she faces is the rapid updates that occur on devices used in the field.

This, coupled with people who have differing levels of technology savvy, means patience is truly a virtue.

“Every time there’s a software update, or even password change, it’s important to have the patience and availability to spend time with each person who needs help,” Tennille said.

“This includes transitioning people from the field to the office, where many people aren’t used to relying on computers and technology to do their jobs,” she added.

Sarah says another challenge is finding out how to present and package information for a vast array of learning styles.

“Understanding that not everyone learns things the same way, and may behave differently in a group setting, makes the one-on-one training even more effective.”

Relationships Matter

“Tennille is willing to do whatever it takes, whether it’s going to the job site or meeting at her office, to ensure training issues are handled and everyone feels confident they can do their job,” Sarah said.

“Regardless of the issue, when people feel like they know you and can trust you, they’re more likely to ask the questions they need answered,” Tennille added.

“One of the things I enjoy most about my job is getting to know every PM when they’re new, and being a
 person they can reach out to for support” Sarah said.

Company tenure has helped too.

“Tennille and I have been here long enough to really know the company, which makes it easier to help others get to know P1 process and procedure – we understand where they’ve been,” Sarah noted.

“You can train people, but you can’t always measure if it’s being used or how well,” she said.

“We probably get the most feedback from people coming from other companies in the industry. We often hear ‘I wish we had this level of training where I came from’.”

As with many support roles, the success of Operational Development isn’t easily quantifiable, which is why
patience, persistence, and relationships are so critical.

Thank you to Sarah and Tennille for being good at all three!