Time-saving processes that reduce rework and improve confidence
Find out how New Plymouth District Council saves time and ensures consistency by using Rico for planning decisions.
Challenges Before Rico
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Inconsistent report templates and styles.
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Significant time wasted formatting and preparing standard conditions.
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Manual insertion of rules/provisions from District Plans.
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High reliance on copy-paste (causing errors).
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Lack of consistency across team outputs.
Changes after Rico's implementation
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Consistency: Reports are now more uniform across the team.
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Efficiency: Less admin work, more time focused on assessment.
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Reduced rework: Fewer formatting issues, rules inserted automatically.
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Comprehensiveness: Ensures all required considerations are covered in reports.
Key numbers
17 work weeks
Equivalent saved over 300 projects through workflow efficiency and reduced rework
2.3 hrs
saved per project, combining 1.8hrs of improved work efficiency and 0.5hrs of reduced rework
70%
of the rework avoided, by tackling 70 to 90% of the causes (formatting issues, missed considerations...)
100%
Of planners felt more confident in their decisions using Rico
Time saving detailed analysis
Workflow efficiencies
Where saving comes from :
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Direct link to District Plan provisions (rules, standards, objectives & policies).
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Centralised standard conditions library.
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Less copy-pasting, fewer errors.
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Checklists for plan assessment instead of rewriting rules.
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Streamlined GIS/site information.
Confidence & Quality Improvements
Before Rico
~ 46 mins rework per project
After Rico
~ 14 mins rework per project
Causes:
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Formatting
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Missed considerations
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Confusing assessments
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Template inconsistencies.
- 32 mins
Improvements :
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Formatting issues reduced by 70%.
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Missed considerations down by 50%.
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Most rework now relates only to the quality of assessment, not admin.
Total Benefits
Workflow efficiencies: ~1.8 hrs saved/project
Reduced rework: ~0.5 hrs saved/project.
Combined benefit: ~2.3 hrs saved per project
On New Plymouth city Council base of 300 consents/year = ~690 hrs saved annually, equivalent to ~17 work weeks saved (based on a 40-hour week).
Result
With Rico, New Plymouth DC planners now enjoy:
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Fast and structured preparation of reports and plan checks
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Consistent outputs with fewer mistakes and formatting issues
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Less duplication of effort thanks to automated provisions and conditions
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Stronger assurance that all required considerations are addressed
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More time available to focus on complex planning judgments
