People: The Biggest Productivity Opportunity in Your Shop

Your shop has the latest ADAS equipment and sophisticated software, but calibrations still take twice as long as they should. 

Tools aren’t likely to be the source of the problem. More often than not, it’s  that your team hasn't been properly trained to use them efficiently. 

This scenario plays out in shops across the country, where the inexperience of untrained or undertrained technicians inadvertently turns profitable services into productivity bottlenecks.

The reality is that people are your biggest productivity opportunity in your shop. By enabling your team with the right training, the right tools, and the right processes, they can hit the ground running and help your shop maximize both productivity and profitability. 

Knowledge gaps can cost your shop

When technicians lack proper ADAS training— including training on how to use your tools or processes effectively— inefficiencies cascade through your entire operation. They second-guess themselves, repeatedly check documentation, and may require assistance from other staff members. In some cases, they also make mistakes they don’t even know they can make. 

These knowledge gaps create measurable losses:

• Calibrations that should take 45 minutes stretch to two hours.
• Incorrect procedures or missed calibrations lead to comebacks and re-work.
• Technicians avoid ADAS work, creating bottlenecks.
• Insurance documentation errors cause payment delays.
• Safety risks from improper calibrations increase liability.

Consider the math: If improper training causes just one hour of extra time per calibration, and you perform 100 calibrations monthly, that's 100 hours of lost productivity. This is the equivalent to having one technician out for two and a half weeks.

Building competency across your team

The most productive shops don't rely on a single ADAS expert. They build competency across multiple team members, creating flexibility and eliminating bottlenecks.

Start with role-specific training: Not everyone needs the same level of expertise. Service advisors need to recognize when calibrations are required and explain them to customers. Estimators must understand which procedures apply to specific repairs. Technicians need hands-on proficiency with equipment and procedures.

Create internal knowledge sharing: Your most experienced technicians become force multipliers when they share knowledge. Implement mentorship programs where skilled technicians train others during actual calibrations. Document shop-specific procedures and create quick reference guides for common vehicles.

Invest in continuous education: ADAS technology evolves rapidly. The training that was sufficient last year may be outdated today. Budget for ongoing education through manufacturer programs, equipment vendor training, and industry certifications.

How the right technology multiplies training impact

Training is only the start. Your team also needs the support of the proper technology that reinforces and amplifies their newfound knowledge. The difference between struggling shops and profitable ones often comes down to whether trained technicians have tools that support their expertise.

The importance of ADAS diagnostic tools 

Let’s look at two scenarios. 

In the first, a newly trained technician spends 30 minutes searching through multiple databases for the correct calibration procedure, second-guessing whether they have the latest version. 

Meanwhile, another technician at a different shop pulls up the same information in 30 seconds through software like Revv, confident they have current OEM requirements for VIN-specific calibrations.

Both technicians received the same training, but technology makes one dramatically more productive for the following reasons: 

• Technology as a force multiplier: When shops combine training with platforms like Revv, productivity gains accelerate. Trained technicians know what to look for, and the right software ensures they find it instantly. 
• Reducing cognitive load: Even well-trained technicians make mistakes when juggling multiple information sources. Integrated platforms present all necessary data in one place, allowing technicians to focus on execution rather than information management. This reduces errors and builds confidence, especially for newer technicians.
• Standardizing excellence: Training teaches best practices, but technology enforces them. When every technician uses the same platform with built-in workflows, quality becomes consistent across your entire team. 
• Continuous learning support: Modern platforms don't just provide procedures—they educate users during actual work. When Revv surfaces an unusual calibration requirement, technicians learn something new while completing the job. This real-time education reinforces formal training and builds expertise faster.

The shops seeing the best returns on training investments are those that pair education with enabling technology. Training provides the foundation; tools like Revv provide the framework that transforms knowledge into productivity.

Measuring training ROI through productivity metrics

Training investments should produce measurable improvements. Track these key metrics:

• Calibration completion time: Well-trained technicians could complete calibrations in a fraction of the time vs. a minimally trained technician.
• First-time completion rates: Proper training leads to not only a potentially significant time-efficiency boost, but also a reduction in comeback visits and potential safety liabilities.
• Revenue per technician: Trained technicians can handle more complex, higher-paying calibrations. Track how average ticket values increase as skills improve.
• Documentation accuracy: Insurance claim approval rates improve dramatically with proper training on documentation requirements. Measure approval rates and payment speed.
• Team utilization: When multiple technicians can perform calibrations, you eliminate bottlenecks. Track how often ADAS work waits for your single expert versus flowing to available technicians.

Overcoming common training obstacles

Many shops recognize training's importance but struggle with implementation. Address these common obstacles:

• "We can't afford downtime for training" - Start with micro-learning sessions during slow periods. Even 15-minute daily briefings accumulate significant knowledge over time.
• "Training is too expensive" - Compare training costs to the revenue lost from slow calibrations and re-work. One avoided comeback often pays for an entire training course.
• "Our techs resist new technology" - Connect training to personal benefits: higher pay, easier work, job security. Show how ADAS expertise makes them more valuable.
• "We don't know what training we need" - Audit your current capabilities against your vehicle mix. Where do delays occur? What causes the most callbacks? Let problems guide training priorities.

The compound effect of expertise

When proper training combines with good equipment and processes, productivity gains compound. Trained technicians complete calibrations faster, identify more billable procedures, document work properly for quick payment, and reduce costly errors.

A shop that invests in comprehensive team training often sees:

• Reduction in calibration time
• Increase in identified procedures
• First-time insurance approval rate
• Increase in monthly calibration capacity

These improvements translate directly to profitability. Faster calibrations mean more vehicles processed. Better documentation means faster payment. Fewer errors mean reduced liability and improved reputation.

Your training action plan

Transforming your team's productivity through training requires systematic approach:

1. Assess current capabilities: Document who can perform which calibrations and how long they take.
2. Identify skill gaps: Compare your capabilities to your vehicle mix and business goals.
3. Prioritize training needs: Focus on skills that will immediately impact productivity.
4. Create a training calendar: Schedule regular training without disrupting operations.
5. Measure and adjust: Track productivity improvements and refine your training approach.

Remember: your people are your most valuable asset. The right training transforms them from equipment operators into ADAS experts who drive profitability.

Accelerate your team's ADAS expertise

Training provides the foundation, but your team also needs the right tools to apply their knowledge efficiently. 

Revv complements your training investments by providing instant access to OEM procedures, eliminating guesswork, and standardizing workflows across your team. When every technician can quickly identify required calibrations and access current procedures, training translates directly into productivity. 

Revv can amplify your team's capabilities without needing extensive training. Book a demo today to discover how our platform turns newly trained technicians into ADAS calibration experts.