CASE STUDY
#WEAREMODERNANCIENTS
Creative Studios
Improving Technical Training with Veolia
Client:
Veolia North America,
Water Technologies Division
Project:
Technical Training Video for Anduritz Decanter Centrifuge Operations
Duration:
A 6-Month Pilot Project, Budgeted for a Full Rollout in 2025
Service:
Innovation Strategy, Full-Service Production & Content Creation by #WEAREMODERNANCIENTS
Contributors
Devon Phaneuf
Subject Matter Expert, Field Operations & Service, Veolia Water Technologies
Alexander Whiteway
Executive Producer, Writer, Director, Producer, Assistant Editor
Granville Carter
Director of Photography, DIT, Lead Editor
Jason Marshall
Complex Startup Project Management, Veolia North America
Stephen Simmons
Technical Learning and Development Leader, Global Services Expert Operations, Veolia North America
Michael McCarthy
Training Execution Manager, Veolia North America
The Project
Challenge
Veolia Water Technologies faced a critical challenge in training new operators for its wastewater treatment facilities. Traditional Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were dense and time-consuming to digest, which resulted in inefficiencies in preparing operators for real-time, in-field operations.
The need for a streamlined training solution was paramount to ensure that operators could quickly understand and apply the necessary procedures for technologies like the Anduritz Decanter Centrifuge.
Solution
Modern Ancients partnered with Veolia Water Technologies and Veolia North America to develop a video-based training solution for a pilot project, to expand the project to deliver a comprehensive educational content library for Just-In-Time training, a field operators’ visual handbook.
The objective was to condense the complex SOPs into competency matrices for alignment with an easy-to-follow, 8-minute video that captured the essential steps and real-time procedures operators need when working with an Anduritz Decanter Centrifuge.
The pilot video was structured around four key categories of operational excellence, demonstrating core aspects of safe and efficient operation.
The video focused on critical points of navigation and support, providing a Just-in-Time Training (JITT) tool, allowing operators to access vital instructions when they needed them most.
This approach condensed the volume of information and aligned with how operators interacted with the equipment in real-time, ensuring they were equipped with the navigational support needed to handle any situation efficiently.
Execution
Our team collaborated closely with Veolia’s technical training department and in-field operations subject matter experts to field, storyboard, script, film, and produce the 8-minute video. We utilized cutting-edge filming techniques to ensure clarity and engagement and captured real-time in-field operations to ensure authenticity.
Results
The pilot video was deployed in the later half of 2024 to test its impact on operator efficiency.
Early feedback showed marked improvements in:
Faster comprehension of procedures
Increased operator confidence in real-time operations
Reduced training time, freeing up experienced staff to focus on other critical tasks
Testimonials
“The video looks amazing and is very well put together!
There’s a ton of information, it’s easy to understand, and hits all the major milestones of operating a centrifuge. Very well done.”
-Glenn Cornelisse, Services Field Area Manager
“Projects like this havn’t always worked for us in the past.
I was impressed with how Modern Ancients worked to incept this opportunity with a passionate SME to improve the training and overall experience of technical operations for Veolia Water Technologies.”
-Andrea Forster, Global Services Expert Operations Executive at Veolia Water Technologies and Solutions
(Paraphrased from internal discussions throughout the project)
“Modern Ancients dedication to this project was inspiring to the entire team.
They we’re diligent in assuring every voice was heard, comprehending the complexities of our organization with ease and grace.”
-Jason Marshall,
Complex Startup Project Management - Team Leader
“Looks great!
Nicely done.
It is as fine as the best training videos that I’ve seen.
Congrats!”
-Dave Mason,
Sr Field Services & Technical Advisory Manager, Global Technical Direction and Validation
“Working with the team at Modern Ancients was definately a journey. From the earliest stages of exploring how to approach this innovation opportunity, to producing scripts in alignment with complex competency matricies, and directing talent on set, they were there every step of the way, improving our co-creation. The quality of their people, process and product are of the highest order.”
-Devon Phaneuf,
Key Subject Matter Expert, Field Operations and Service Excellence
What’s Next?
Looking Forward
The team at Modern Ancients Journey Consulting and #WEAREMODERNANCIENTS Creative Studios are grateful for aligning with the talented and dedicated team at Veolia, who came together around this pilot project, largely incepted by a passionate subject matter expert who saw an opportunity to turn his passion into an intrepreneurial endeavor.
Based on the pilot's success, the project has been marked for expansion in 2025. The programs are to build a Comprehensive Educational Content Library for all in-field training operations across Veolia’s wastewater treatment facilities.
This initiative represents a pivotal shift in how Veolia delivers operator training, paving the way for more dynamic, video-based training modules that offer real-time operational support.
Does your organization have an innovative idea you’d like to pilot?