Client Project
Automated reporting for monthly stormwater inspections.
A client workflow that replaced a manual photo-to-Excel reporting process with Field Maps collection, Python processing, Excel reporting, and PDF deliverables.
Stormwater inspection pipeline
Field Maps to Python to Excel/PDF
Field Maps updates
Inspectors update stormwater infrastructure points with location, condition, photos, measurements, notes, and status attributes.
Python processing
A script reads the feature layer, filters the monthly inspection period, checks required fields, and flags records needing review.
Excel report
Inspection results are organized into property summaries, infrastructure tables, photo references, and issue lists.
PDF deliverable
Maps, photos, measurements, status notes, and monthly findings are packaged for review and delivery.
Project context
This project supported a stakeholder working across civil engineering and environmental consulting. Their team performed monthly stormwater inspections for a local gym chain, visiting multiple properties to document the status of storm drains and related stormwater infrastructure with photos, measurements, notes, and condition information.
Challenge
The original workflow relied on staff taking storm drain photos, moving those photos into a manually formatted Excel report, checking measurements and notes by hand, then printing or exporting the workbook to PDF. Because the report had to be rebuilt and formatted each month, the process consumed valuable staff time and created repeated opportunities for inconsistent formatting or missed details.
Approach
The workflow uses ArcGIS Field Maps as the inspection interface, backed by a feature layer containing stormwater asset locations, photos, measurements, condition fields, and notes. A Python script queries the feature layer for the reporting month, runs validation checks, organizes the records by property, inserts the current inspection content into a consistent report structure, and exports both an Excel report and a PDF deliverable.
Inputs
- Field Maps stormwater inspection feature layer
- Property locations for the gym chain
- Photos, notes, measurements, and status fields
- Monthly inspection date range
Automation steps
- Query records from the feature layer
- Validate missing measurements or photos
- Summarize inspections by property and asset type
- Build report tables and map outputs
Outputs
- Excel workbook for the monthly inspection cycle
- PDF report deliverable with maps and photos
- QA exception list for records needing review
- Repeatable script run notes
Deliverables
- Esri Field Maps setup for monthly stormwater inspections
- Inspection feature layer schema design
- Python script for Excel report and PDF deliverable creation
- Standard operating procedures for running the workflow
- Support as needed for updates, questions, and follow-up adjustments
Results
The workflow reduced the manual time spent each month building, formatting, checking, and exporting the inspection report. It also gave the stakeholder a more repeatable reporting process for recurring stormwater inspections across multiple gym locations.