Local agencies often struggle to adopt software solutions for capital planning, pre-construction, and construction management. The City of Greeley, Colorado, applied the Pareto Principle to pinpoint their primary issue: the lack of accurate, GIS-based digital as-builts. This data gap hindered Greeley’s construction processes and made data transfer across project phases challenging. This presentation shares how Greeley, with limited resources, swiftly implemented a GIS-integrated solution for digital field inspections, bridging e-construction gaps, improving tracking, expediting payments, and streamlining internal operations. Adhering to FAIR principles (findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reuse), the solution promotes transparency and enables broad data sharing among agency staff, contractors, and city leadership. In coordination with Greeley, other regional local agencies have begun adopting similar models, creating a shared data platform that enhances project estimation and opens possibilities for future AI-driven solutions. Centered around an $18 million annual street rehabilitation program, Greeley’s approach leverages a construction management application programming interface (API), connecting field data with GIS services and pay applications. The project highlights the efficient integration of existing staff and technology, transforming workflows previously reliant on paper and siloed solutions. Accredited Agency: Greeley, CO, Department of Public Works
After this session, participants will be better able to:
• Assess why the absence of GIS-based digital as-builts is a critical challenge for construction execution and lifecycle management.
• Develop a plan to deploy online GIS services, field data collection, and pay applications that streamline construction processes and create a construction data platform.
• Identify how this data platform facilitates seamless data sharing with asset management systems and ensures readiness for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning solutions.
Contributor/Source
Dan Colbert-Geospatial Manager, Jacob Felix-Engineering Technician III, Pavan Batchu-Co-Founder and CEO
Proficiency Levels
Introductory
Focuses on a general or broad overview of the topic, awareness of basic factual recall. Limited experience of the subject matter is necessary to understand content areas.
Applied
Focuses on practical implementation of technical steps or strategies, some prior knowledge and experience of the topic is necessary.
Advanced
Mastery of basic concepts associated with an area has been obtained. Focuses on understanding nuances, advanced concepts, and intricacies with implementation within knowledge area. Strong understanding of how the concept impacts other factors or areas of operations.
Program Types
CLL
Click, Listen & Learn (CLL) are interactive educational webinars. Each program is led by top experts in the field who share new ideas, methods, and technologies in a fast-paced two-hour time frame. These programs are available free to APWA members. CLL programs are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
Primer
Primers are used to educate policymakers about public works roles and responsibilities in public rights of way, the impact of federal workforce development policies on the industry and workforce, and the importance of resilient infrastructure.
Public Works Radio Podcast
Public Works Radio is the official podcast of the American Public Works Association (APWA), bringing the stories behind our communities to life. This podcast shines a spotlight on the people and projects that keep our cities running—humanizing the work and the professionals who make it happen. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone.
PWX
PWX session recordings cover a wide variety of topics, including integrating modes of transportation, traffic and transit, construction management, emergency management, engineering and technology, fleet and facilities, management, parks and grounds, snow and ice control, and stormwater/flood control, as well as solid waste, roads and bridges and water/wastewater. PWX sessions are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
Reporter Articles
APWA Reporter articles are written by public works practitioners on subjects such as solid waste management, water resources, municipal engineering, transportation, equipment services, buildings and grounds, snow removal, and other public works-related topics.
Snow
The Snow Conference session recordings feature public works professionals sharing the latest best practices in managing winter/snow operations more successfully, taking advantage of emerging technologies, understanding and preparing for the challenges ahead, and providing better service to their communities. Snow sessions are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
Tech Boxes
A tech box is a PDF take-away that provides information in lists, steps, or defined areas specifically focused on trending technologies.
Virtual Program
Virtual programs are live, interactive educational programs led by top experts in the field who provide timely information or address trending topics within an area. Programs often conclude with an open forum for Q&A.