How Eastman Is Building a Stronger Procedure Culture with ATR SmartProcedures 

Procedures are essential to industrial operations. But when every area manages them differently, even finding the right information can become a challenge.

For Eastman Chemical Company, improving its procedure program meant addressing inconsistent structures, formatting, and writing practices while making procedures easier for employees to find and use.

In a recent interview, Matthew Fansler, a digital transformation leader at Eastman, shared why the company selected ATR, how the implementation shaped its approach, and the value it is seeing today.

Hear what Matthew has to say:

The Challenge: A Siloed Procedure Program

Before implementing ATR, Eastman faced a fragmented approach to procedure management. Matthew described procedure structures, formatting, and writing techniques that varied across areas of the facility.

The challenges extended beyond consistency. Eastman also needed better insight into how long procedure changes took and wanted to help employees find the information they needed.

Those issues pointed to a broader opportunity: establishing a shared structure for managing procedures and building a more consistent culture around them.

Finding an End-to-End Solution

Eastman began with a detailed evaluation of procedure management tools. The team developed a list of key requirements and tested potential solutions against those needs.

“We wanted something end-to-end that would help us with all aspects of our procedures,” Matthew explained.

That requirement reflected the scope of the challenge. Eastman was looking for a solution that could support its procedure program as a whole.

After comparing options, ease of use became a deciding factor. Matthew said ATR was the easiest solution for end users to pick up, use, and find the procedures they needed with very little training.

For teams evaluating procedure digitalization, that is an important consideration. A system needs to support the people who depend on procedures in their daily work.

Building Structure with the Right Support

Matthew has been working with ATR since late 2022. He described the move to a structured system as challenging at times, while emphasizing the guidance ATR provided throughout implementation.

The ATR team helped Eastman navigate the transition and challenged assumptions along the way. Matthew specifically credited the support of project engineer AJ as a factor in the project’s success and noted that the support continues.

The teams also established a Microsoft Teams connection, giving Eastman a direct way to message ATR for help as questions arose.

That experience highlights the role of partnership in procedure digitalization. Introducing a tool is one part of the work. Helping a team establish and sustain a more structured approach is another.

Changing the Culture Around Procedures

When asked about the benefits Eastman has seen, Matthew focused on culture.

“The benefit for us is the tool helps us change the culture around our procedures,” he said.

Previously, the approach varied across areas of the facility. With ATR, Eastman has gained the ability to centralize that structure and bring a more dedicated focus to its procedure program.

That shift matters because consistent procedure management depends on more than document formatting. It also requires a shared approach to how procedures are organized, maintained, and used.

Eastman’s experience illustrates how a structured platform can help support that broader change.

Greater Insight into Procedures and Operations

Asked to summarize the value ATR has delivered, Matthew chose one word: “insight.”

He explained that the tool gives Eastman visibility into its current procedures and its operations as a whole, helping the team understand where it stands and where to focus improvement efforts.

That visibility is a meaningful part of a stronger procedure program. Understanding the current state gives teams a clearer starting point for deciding what needs attention next.

For Eastman, the value Matthew described combines structure, usability, ongoing support, and a more focused procedure culture.

What Other Organizations Can Learn

Eastman’s experience offers three considerations for teams exploring procedure digitalization:

• Evaluate the whole program. Define requirements that address how procedures are managed across the organization.
• Make usability a priority. Consider how easily employees can find and use the procedures they need.
• Look for an implementation partner. Guidance and ongoing support can help teams build and sustain a more consistent approach.

Matthew’s advice to other organizations considering ATR was straightforward: include ATR in the evaluation and give the team an opportunity to earn the business.

Build a Stronger Procedure Program

ATR SmartProcedures helps organizations create, execute, review, improve, and train on procedures within a connected worker platform.

Ready to bring greater structure and visibility to your procedure program? Request a demo to explore ATR SmartProcedures.

About ATR SmartProcedures^®

ATR helps industrial organizations operationalize mission-critical work through a Connected Worker platform that digitizes procedures, guides execution, captures operational data, and enables AI-driven continuous improvement.

By connecting people, digital processes, and operational intelligence, ATR empowers organizations to improve safety, reduce risk, increase productivity, and build the trusted operational data foundation required for the next generation of industrial AI.

Join Us at Operational Excellence in Oil and Gas 2026

Ready to build a stronger procedure program? Join ATR at OPEX in Oil & Gas 2026, November 3–5 in Houston. Attend our November 3 preconference workshop or stop by our booth to explore how SmartProcedures connects procedure management, frontline execution, and operational data to drive continuous improvement. Learn more and join us.