Very few of us have a job that exists strictly to generate reports – we use reports to document what we have done or observed during the course of our job. Reporting should be a part of what we do, but not what we spend most of our time on. Unfortunately, many field technicians feel like filling out report after report on each jobsite takes priority over their actual work. This shouldn’t be.

For most field workers in the energy industry, your job should distill down to four things:

• Keep product flowing
• Keep it safe
• Keep others informed
• Get home in time for dinner

Notice that “reporting” is nowhere on that list. If it’s on your list, then something is wrong, because “reporting” is not a work product. You should report as a means of keeping others informed, which generally means documenting and transferring accurate and relevant information in a timely manner, but the reporting should be done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

If the process of reporting has taken on a life of its own in your role, then it’s time for a change — even if changing seems to challenge management’s demand for more oil and gas field reporting.

The Challenge: Satisfying Reporting Requirements AND Still Making it Home for Dinner

Information drives Management’s decision-making process, so their focus is getting ALL the needed information in a timely manner As those needs grow, the demands on the field increase. Because of physical distances and disconnects in communication, management may not fully understand the impact of existing or new information requests placed on field personnel.

When a new reporting requirement is passed down to the field, it often feels like there is little or no realization that each new request will take additional time out of each field tech’s day. It’s easy for frustration and cynicism to develop when new reporting requirements are handed down to already overworked employees.

We’ve all seen it happen. One small information request leads to a new report being required, which means using a new program, app, or spreadsheet.  Management’s success with that new information leads to additional requests…and additional reports you need to complete.  What started off as a small addition to your workload has turned into a full-blown job, just to feed the newfound management information appetite.

Over time, the “small” increases in reporting request tends to result in field operations being instructed to use multiple means of reporting data  It’s not uncommon to find that a field tech is using 3-5 specialized scheduling and data entry applications on a daily basis, plus manually maintaining multiple spreadsheets.

Time is wasted changing apps, logging in, then entering the same site number and date over and over again. No wonder it may feel like your job is to make reports, instead of simply reporting the work you do.

The Frustration: Complicated Reporting Software and Workflows

As the work of reporting piles up, field techs understandably become more frustrated and agitated. This can also lead to compliance issues as techs try to balance reporting requirements with actually doing the work. Some of the common factors that can increase employee frustration and result in decreased compliance include the following:

• Constant switching between laptop, tablet, and cell phone.
• Data entry may not be intuitive, as screens may not flow naturally.
• Applications do not share data, creating repetitive work and inefficiencies.
• Common data (well/lease names, date, employee name, and similar data) needs to be re-entered into each of the applications.
• Well and equipment names/numbers may not be uniform across each application.
• Generic forms may require completion of data that is unavailable or irrelevant.
• Fixed or rarely-changing data may need to be painstakingly re-entered each time.
• Data entry into apps that require cellular data service can be delayed…or lost.
• Field techs may need to update spreadsheets or databases that are locked by another user.

If any of this sounds familiar, or if your day involves more “reporting” than working, then we have a solution to help you actually do your work, while still satisfying management’s desire for increased reporting.

The Solution: Muddy Boots All-in-One Field Operations Platform

Tired of switching between multiple applications in the field? Worn out from re-entering the same data over and over again? If you’re tired of telling yourself, “There has to be a better way,” then we can show the better way.

Our Muddy Boots all-in-one field operations platform will give you back your time so that you can do your work and get home in time for dinner. The cloud-based software will streamline all of your scheduling, tasks, and reporting requirements in one platform.

• One piece of software.
• One log-in.
• Always accessible in the field to perform tasks and submit your reports.

We can help you re-establish the correct priority of reporting your work, not making your work to do reports. Recommend a demo of Muddy Boots to your supervisor today. Tell your supervisor you want to achieve efficiencies in the field so that you can focus on doing your actual work and supporting compliance.

– Give us a call today at 281-598-7200 or complete our contact form to get the ball rolling on a Muddy Boots demo. We’ll show you and your supervisor how the Muddy Boots all-in-one field operations platform can maximize field operations efficiencies and minimize the time spent on oil and gas field reporting.