Walnut Creek Plan Review Process Improvement Case Study

This case study details the challenges faced by Walnut Creek, California, in its manual plan review processes prior to transitioning to an electronic system. The city struggled with inefficiencies, lack of transparency, and applicant frustrations due to a cumbersome paper-based system. The pandemic prompted a shift to a digital plan review process, which was facilitated by the adoption of DigEplan, a construction industry PDF markup tool. The case study outlines how the new system improved communication, allowed for electronic submissions and payments, and enhanced file management capabilities. It highlights the benefits of increased transparency for customers, enabling them to track project statuses more easily. The implementation of DigEplan not only streamlined the review process but also addressed significant logistical challenges related to physical document storage. The case study concludes with an overview of the positive impact on both staff and applicants, emphasizing the improved efficiency and customer satisfaction resulting from the digital transition.