Safety Process Mapping — Port Operations Authority

Overview

A major port operations authority was developing a VR-based safety simulation platform — a training system designed to expose workers to high-risk operational scenarios without physical risk. Before the simulation could be built, the underlying processes needed to be mapped with precision.

The situation

Safety simulation depends entirely on the fidelity of the process model. If the documented procedures don't accurately reflect how operations actually work — where the real decision points and hazard exposures are — the training delivers false confidence rather than genuine preparedness.

Getting the process architecture right was the foundation the entire platform depended on.

What I built

I led the process mapping engagement, working with operational stakeholders across port functions to document current-state procedures, surface tacit knowledge, and identify safety-critical decision points and handoffs.

This involved facilitating workshops with experienced operators, reconciling different accounts of how procedures were actually followed, and translating operational knowledge into structured process models that could be implemented in the simulation environment.

Outcome

The process architecture underpinned the final VR safety simulation platform. The project received an NZ Hi-Tech Award nomination in recognition of its contribution to workplace safety training innovation — an outcome that recognised both the technical execution and the quality of the underlying process work.