For locators in the field, small frustrations add up fast. When ticket details are hard to read, screens require two hands, or workflows don’t match how the job is actually done, productivity takes a hit. KorTerra has made a continued priority of delivering meaningful improvements shaped directly by user feedback and in-field observations of how work is done in the field. 

To better understand the thought process behind these improvements, KorTerra Product Manager Skyler Savard walks us through what sparked these updates, how feedback is prioritized, and where the Field App is headed next.

Recognizing Friction in Day-to-Day Field Work 

Looking back, the catalyst for these improvements was a simple yet critical issue: friction in everyday workflows. Savard shared that the majority of the feedback he and his team were hearing centered around the ticket detail experience. Field technicians emphasized the difficult readability, especially in harsh conditions. 

Another key challenge was simply usability; many interactive elements lived at the top of the screen, which might work fine at a desk but not when a locator is standing in the field, with their phone or tablet in one hand and spray paint and a receiver in the other. The gap between “designed” workflows and real-world workflows became impossible to ignore.

It became clear that the app needed to better mirror true locator workflows, driving improvements centered on readability, one-handed usability, and flexible prioritization. 

Solving Real Challenges for Field Teams

Locators and field technicians face a wide range of challenges, from varying requirements by state to different personal workflows. Feedback from the field reflected a wide range of locator needs and priorities, with different teams valuing different information That variability reinforced the need for flexibility within the Field App, rather than a rigid, one-size-fits-all design.

One example is the separation of ticket details and map views; some technicians rely heavily on the map, while others barely use it. Rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all experience, the Field App now allows users to toggle between views (all actions within range of a thumb’s reach) giving users the best of both worlds without clutter or compromise.

How KorTerra Prioritizes Feedback from the Field

Prioritizing feedback is one of the hardest parts of product development. Savard described the process as “seeking the friction” or “looking for commonality.” The team looks for common patterns in what they hear most often when engaging with users. 

Ride-alongs are also an asset in observing simple operations; in many cases, technicians never explicitly complain about certain issues, and yet observing them struggle with simple tasks reveals great opportunities for improvement. 

Equally important is separating the problem from the proposed solution. Technicians may suggest a fix, but the product team focuses on understanding the underlying pain point and solving it in a way that delivers the most value to the widest group of users.

Defining Success: What Does “Getting It Right” Look Like?

While performance metrics matter, Savard defines success more personally as it’s about saving time on the margins, minutes here and there that add up over a long week. 

The schedule, demand, and field work is difficult enough; less time wrestling with technology means more time finishing work efficiently. For Savard and his team, hearing that the app helps technicians work faster, smoother, and with less frustration is the clearest sign that the team got it right.

How These Updates Fit into the Long-Term Vision

Savard described the long-term vision for the KorTerra Field App with a simple analogy: it should feel like oxygen. You shouldn’t have to think about it; it should just work.

Every bit of friction removed is time and mental energy returned to the job itself. The recent updates represent a major step toward that goal, and Savard sees this period as a key milestone in the evolution of the Field App. 

Why This Work Matters Beyond KorTerra

At its core, this work is about making daily operations for the people doing demanding, often thankless jobs in the field. Damage prevention is complex, inconsistent, and sometimes chaotic. By creating tools that bring clarity, stability, and efficiency, KorTerra aims to make that chaos more manageable.

For Savard and the team, improving the Field App isn’t just about better software; it’s about supporting the technicians who keep communities safe and infrastructure running every day. 

A Clearer Path Forward for Damage Prevention 

At every stage, the evolution of the KorTerra Field App has been guided by one principle: remove friction so field teams can focus on the work that matters most. By listening closely to locators, observing real-world workflows, and testing improvements where the work actually happens, KorTerra continues to refine tools that are practical, reliable, and built for the realities of the field. 

These ongoing investments aren’t just about improving an app; they’re about supporting the people who do demanding work every day and helping bring greater consistency, efficiency, and confidence to damage prevention as a whole.

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About KorTerra, Inc.

KorTerra is the leading provider of damage prevention software, protecting billions of dollars in underground infrastructure. For over 30 years, the leading stakeholders in gas distribution, pipeline operation, telecommunications, electric distribution, contract locating, and city, county, and state governments have trusted KorTerra as their damage prevention solution. KorTerra helps mitigate risk and ensure the safety of field personnel by providing secure software platforms for processing 811 locate tickets, tracking and reporting asset damages, meeting regulatory compliance, and more. Explore additional solutions at korterra.com and follow KorTerra on LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Paige Nygaard – KorTerra, Inc.
952.368.1911
marketing@korterra.com