Brief
Client: M&S
Scope: Initial trial of 150 stores, extended to 621 stores
Duration: 12 months
As part of the retailer’s commitment to ensure its safety systems are fully operational and fit for purpose, Sigma were tasked – following the successful completion of many planned maintenance schemes – with conducting inspection, testing and remedial works on the retailer’s fire dampers across 621 of its UK stores nationwide. This involved locating, checking and testing the pre-existing dampers and replacing those that were not preforming to optimum.
Challenge
The specifics of the challenge were to survey and record the exact location, condition and to test performance of their fire dampers across their national network of stores. The outputs from the exercise was to provide the client with a summary status report of their fire damper asset, with a real-time status dashboard.
In order to complete this project to the standards expected, Sigma realised that they needed a solution that would enable them to capture and record any defects, quality milestones and handovers whilst also offering the team the option to be able to identify lessons learnt for continuous improvement opportunities.
Addressing the challenges
However, with over 10,000 fire dampers across the 621 stores, the job of maintaining these fire dampers created a number of significant challenges.
These included:
- Identifying the locations of the dampers
The locations of the existing dampers were manually recorded across a variety of locations and required verification, Sigma had to determine the appropriate method of testing and determine whether they should be replaced.
- Legacy and obsolete equipment
In some cases, due in part to legacy and obsolete equipment, there were no instructions available from manufacturers about how to service or maintain existing dampers.
Sigma overcame these and other challenges in the following ways:
New software development
The Sigma Project Management tool (STIG) was developed with a construction fire stopping organisation who also understand the intricacies of working within the retail sector.
The tool was trialled as part of the fire damper project, part of a wider requirement to upgrade digitisation of our on-site operations. This ensures Sigma can continue to deliver a high-quality finished project via streamlined job planning, workforce management and increased productivity on-site whilst also providing client and senior level management with real time project insight.
Using this tool, Sigma were able to individually identify, and geo-map the location of each of the 10,000+ dampers across the estate, creating a log of maintenance and remedial works to be carried out.
Using the mobile application, the user was able to upload a drawing with drop pins highlighting where the dampers are in each room. As a result, Sigma engineers and subcontractors, all of whom were trained to use the software, were able to carry out the work more effectively and in less time, reducing cost and in-store disruption and thus making the testing (and subsequent future testing), much easier.
Another important facet of the software is that the information it produced enabled Sigma engineers to visit each M&S store fully equipped, ensuring that the project was not delayed because the right equipment, parts and tools weren’t at hand.
Client benefits
Sigma brought M&S closer to the project via their own dedicated client app login. Here they were able to establish project progress, whilst also highlighting the location of the dampers for ongoing maintenance within their stores. Thanks to Sigma’s wide service offer, we were able to complete the full end to end process of the project without the need for M&S to sub-contract to third parties.
The application of the Sigma digital platform demonstrates a highly efficient and adaptable tool for delivering detailed client requirements within a user-friendly mobile app function. The adaptability of the app was demonstrated in its ability to capture and record the required data in real time and provide a detailed summary report with minimal effort. The ease of use of the system proved to be a major plus with the client, consultants and the surveying team.
Sustainability
Both Sigma and M&S are committed to improving sustainability across our operations and supply chains. Throughout this scheme, the use of the Sigma Project Management (STIG) tool helped Sigma and M&S reduce carbon and other emissions via deployment of the right local teams, for the right jobs at the right time – significantly reducing waste.
The ability to individually map each damper across the stores serves to eliminate the need of non-required maintenance visits, enabling us to plan the most environmentally friendly route to service stores in the portfolio.
The Outcome
After a successful trial across 150 stores the project was extended, positioning Sigma as the primary contractor serving the annual maintenance program for all stores in the UK.
The development of Sigma’s new software had a huge impact on the success of this project. It enabled Sigma to quickly locate the whereabouts of the dampers across the M&S UK estate, sped up the testing, maintenance and replacement schedule and helped reduce carbon emissions while doing so.
As a result, the project was able to be rolled-out quicker, with reduced costs and less in-store disruption for M&S. Most importantly, it has ensured M&S continually comply with fire safety regulations, making stores safer for customers and employees.
By implementing this digital system within this project for M&S, Sigma has delivered another successful project to the client with complete transparency and full daily visibility of work completed including any remedial works identified. M&S, meanwhile, is very satisfied with the quality and effectiveness of the company’s work and the professional, transparent and collaborative way in which the brief was delivered.