Walbridge’s VStart Program
Walbridge uses VStart - a visual management process for installation, check out, start-up and turnover. This visual management tool is a value-added service. Decisions on its use are made on a project-by-project basis according to customer requirements, feasibility and budget. VStart helps to ensure all building equipment is manufactured, shipped, received and installed per program requirements. This lean tool is a way to check things off as you do them which can decrease the amount of time needed to start-up your facility.
Although the system originated in manufacturing, VStart goes beyond that with practical applications in hospitals, educational institutions and offices. VStart can minimize schedule delays, prevent long punch lists and deliver real time status updates. When integrated with BIM, difficult to see markers, hidden by walls or out of the line of sight can easily be spotted and corrected.
If VStart is applied to your project, Walbridge involves your operations staff in the process so that they receive equipment knowledge beforehand and participate in the facility start-up. The system provides an easy way to track back, because lives depend on proper systems start-up. Additionally, the system assures subcontractors are present through the final stages of start-up. Subcontractor work receives final sign off from owners resulting in fewer call backs to the site—saving you time and money. This can also result in better pricing from the subcontractors as they know exactly when the job will be done.
Walbridge has worked more than nine million hours without lost time injury
