How GIS is Unlocking New Opportunities in Telecommunications Project Management – Ep 067

In this episode, I talk with Dylan Sheets, PMP, senior project manager at Timmons Group, about how GIS in telecommunications project management is transforming the industry by streamlining planning, reporting, and decision-making while overcoming challenges in large-scale telecom projects. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Dylan: How does GIS in telecommunications project management help with planning, executing, reporting, and decision-making in telecommunications projects? For those unfamiliar with geospatial technology, would you describe it as simply location-based tools like GPS or Google Earth, or is there more to it? What are the biggest challenges in managing large-scale telecommunications projects, and can you share an example of how GIS has helped solve a specific issue? How do you turn complex GIS data into easy-to-understand visuals like maps, graphs, or dashboards for stakeholders? What are some of the latest trends in GIS that are shaping telecommunications project management? How can AEC project managers use GIS in telecommunications project management to streamline their workflows and improve project efficiency? Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How GIS is Unlocking New Opportunities in Telecommunications Project Management: GIS in telecommunications project management enables project managers to identify potential obstacles such as gas lines, transmission lines, and roadways before construction begins. By integrating spatial data, teams reduce risks, improve decision-making, and enhance overall project efficiency. Geospatial technology goes beyond basic location tools by providing advanced spatial analysis, predictive modeling, and data integration. These capabilities support infrastructure planning, cost estimation, and efficient project execution. Managing costs in large-scale telecommunications projects is challenging, especially in rural areas where additional pole replacements and upgrades may be needed. GIS in telecommunications project management uses predictive modeling to help teams anticipate expenses, optimize resources, and make data-driven decisions before construction begins. Simple visual cues, such as color-coded maps, allow project managers to quickly assess costs and identify problem areas. Dashboards customized for different stakeholders ensure that the right level of detail is available without overwhelming users with unnecessary data. Integrating GIS in telecommunications project management centralizes permits, cost estimates, and construction data in a single system. This approach eliminates the need for multiple platforms, improves accuracy, and streamlines workflows across all project phases. Siloed project data leads to inefficiencies and wasted time. GIS in telecommunications project management ensures that all stakeholders have easy access to accurate, up-to-date data, improving coordination and enhancing decision-making. More Details in This Episode… About Dylan Sheets, PMP Dylan Sheets is a senior project manager in Timmons Group’s Telecommunications and Make Ready Engineering Group. Dylan performs and oversees tasks related to GIS data collection, data development, data analysis/visualization, GIS integrations and project deliverable quality control. Dylan has experience in many facets of GIS and specializes in integrating GIS and GPS technologies for data collection as well as project management and reporting. He uses his technical expertise in GIS technology and integrations to expand project management practices as they relate to telecommunications and other utilities. Additionally, Dylan is skilled in producing high quality maps, graphs,