At Programmed, we know that big changes are often sparked by small ideas. That’s why in November 2024, our very own Sharun Benny launched the Quarterly Continuous Improvement (CI) Awards within our Melbourne Water contract, offering a simple but impactful way to encourage and celebrate innovation across our teams.
Designed to build stronger workforce engagement and foster a sustainable culture of continuous improvement, the awards give every team member the chance to share ideas, showcase initiatives, and see their contributions recognised and rewarded.
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Whether it be new safety solutions or efficiency gains and cost savings, the program ensures every voice is heard and every improvement has the opportunity to make a real impact.
Since launch, we’ve been proud to watch the program flourish and grow rapidly. Thanks to the enthusiasm and creativity of our people, the CI Awards have now been introduced at two additional contracts, South East Water and Melbourne Airport, with plans to expand further in the coming months.
Celebrating our innovators
The awards turn great ideas into real outcomes, while recognising and celebrating the ingenious individuals behind them. The following initiatives from Melbourne Water are just a few examples among many nominations that demonstrate the breadth and impact of ideas coming from our people:
- 🏆 John Sperling & Nick Stewart – Proactive hazard prevention by identifying and mitigating severe pipe corrosion before it became a major safety issue (Winner, Q4 2024).
- 🏆 Eoin Cannon - Introduced in-house thermographic inspection using a Fluke iSee thermal camera, reducing reliance on external contractors and delivering faster, cost-effective results (Winner, Q1 2025).
- ST&D Team – Designed and implemented universal beams to prevent landings from cracking - saving time, reducing manual handling risks, and avoiding costly replacements.
Universal beam installed to prevent landings from cracking
- James Waldron - Replaced a hired forklift with a purchased one, delivering annual savings of over $12,000 and improved reliability.
- Nick Boothman – Currently trialing the use of a Remote Operated Vehicle to clean the Crown Casino inlet, eliminating confined space entry and improving efficiency.
Remote Operated Vehicle being trialed at Crown Casino Inlet
These are just a few examples of how one idea can spark another, creating a ripple effect that drives innovation, safety, and value for our customers and our people.
Winners and contributors are celebrated at quarterly contract-wide town halls, recognised across multiple channels, and receive gift vouchers ($100 for Best Idea and $250 for Best Initiative Implemented). Most importantly, teams are supported to put their improvements into action, ensuring improvements are not just suggested, but properly implemented.
The future of the Awards
The real strength of the CI Awards is the people behind them. Every idea shows how much pride our teams take in their work and how willing they are to look for better, safer and smarter ways to get things done.
As the program grows to more contracts, there will be even more opportunities for people to put their ideas on the table and see them come to life.
Previn Pereira, Maintenance Engineer and strong contender for the next quarter of the awards
Most excitingly, the team has their sights set on the introduction of a Facility Management-wide Annual Award, giving us the chance to celebrate the very best examples of teamwork and innovation across the whole business. In the meantime, the VIC/TAS & Utilities region will soon recognise the best initiative across all individual contracts - you'll hear more about this in the next quarter.
The bright ideas of our team members continue to shape the way we work and set the standard for what’s possible when we commit to improving together. By sharing, celebrating, and actioning these contributions, we’re turning good ideas into lasting improvements that benefit our people, our customers and our communities.
How to find out more
If you would like to know more about the Awards, or if you have an idea to submit, you can reach out to Sharun Benny from the Business Improvement Team at sharun.benny@programmed.com.au.
