--- title: "Executive Director's Letter: Just An Inch More – Let’s Make It Better" description: Discover how Missouri 811 strives for excellence in ticketing and public safety, and learn about initiatives aimed at improving the system for all stakeholders. image: https://blog.missouri-811.org/hubfs/Missouri811_UndergroundNews_Summer2026_ArticleImages.jpg --- [![MOCS Full Color Horizontal](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MOCS%20Full%20Color%20Horizontal.png?width=400&height=150&name=MOCS%20Full%20Color%20Horizontal.png "MOCS Full Color Horizontal")](https://missouri-811.org/) - [HOMEOWNERS](https://missouri-811.org/homeowners/) - [EXCAVATORS](https://missouri-811.org/excavators/) - [UTILITY MEMBERS](https://missouri-811.org/members/) - [RESOURCES](https://missouri-811.org/resources/) - [FIELD EDUCATION & TRAINING](https://missouri-811.org/field-education-training/request-training/) - [ENFORCEMENT](https://missouri-811.org/enforcement/) - [MEETINGS & EVENTS](https://missouri-811.org/meetings-events/) - [ABOUT](https://missouri-811.org/about/) - [HOMEOWNERS](https://missouri-811.org/homeowners/) - [EXCAVATORS](https://missouri-811.org/excavators/) - [UTILITY MEMBERS](https://missouri-811.org/members/) - [RESOURCES](https://missouri-811.org/resources/) - [FIELD EDUCATION & TRAINING](https://missouri-811.org/field-education-training/request-training/) - [ENFORCEMENT](https://missouri-811.org/enforcement/) - [MEETINGS & EVENTS](https://missouri-811.org/meetings-events/) - [ABOUT](https://missouri-811.org/about/) Search Search - [811](tel:+811) - [811](tel:+811) Search Search ![Executive Director's Letter: Just An Inch More – Let’s Make It Better](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hubfs/Missouri811_UndergroundNews_Summer2026_ArticleImages.jpg) Jun 30, 2026 9:14:46 AM | [Summer 2026](https://blog.missouri-811.org/underground-news/tag/summer-2026) # Executive Director's Letter: Just An Inch More – Let’s Make It Better Discover how Missouri 811 strives for excellence in ticketing and public safety, and learn about initiatives aimed at improving the system for all stakeholders. Share - [mailto:?&subject=Executive%20Director's%20Letter:%20Just%20An%20Inch%20More%20–%20Let’s%20Make%20It%20Better&body=Executive%20Director's%20Letter:%20Just%20An%20Inch%20More%20–%20Let’s%20Make%20It%20Better%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fblog.missouri-811.org%2Funderground-news%2Fjust-an-inch-more-lets-make-it-better)](mailto:?&subject=Executive%20Director's%20Letter:%20Just%20An%20Inch%20More%20–%20Let’s%20Make%20It%20Better&body=Executive%20Director's%20Letter:%20Just%20An%20Inch%20More%20–%20Let’s%20Make%20It%20Better%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fblog.missouri-811.org%2Funderground-news%2Fjust-an-inch-more-lets-make-it-better)) - - - Throughout our lives, it seems that perfection can never be achieved but we can strive for excellence. That measure of difference between something being “good” and the same thing becoming “excellent” is usually another inch of effort beyond what was required to make it good. If it is only another inch of effort, why do so many of us stop at “good”? It is likely because that extra inch of effort to achieve excellence takes another level of EFFORT that we may, or may not, be willing to give. However, when it comes to the Missouri ticketing system, damage prevention, and public safety, this is EXACTLY what prevents us from achieving excellence. Here are some examples: - It's easier to simply provide a response on the ticket rather than providing a complete picture, which would include your response coupled with your GIS mapping data. To do this, utility owners must first set up an interface that allows Missouri 811 to read the GIS data. - It’s easier to submit multiple tickets well in advance because I’m worried they won’t be marked in time than it is to use Advanced Ticketing and schedule them for when the work is actually ready to begin. - It’s easier to clear my ticket than it is to mark the infrastructure because I believe it’s cheaper to repair the damage than it is to pay someone to mark it. At least, I think so. We at Missouri 811 take the pursuit of excellence seriously and apply it to ourselves. We are constantly looking for ways to make that ticketing system excellent, not just good. Here are some of the improvements we have implemented or are still working through: - Adding excavators on our Board of Directors so we can work better to serve all stakeholders through collaboration rather than relying solely on legislative changes. - The Project Coordination Tool is about to launch and will allow you to post your long-term projects and collaborate with others to coordinate right-of-way work. - We are discussing ways to improve the locate response process for everyone rather than forcing larger projects into a two-day locating window. - We are discussing ways to structure the system for contractors and subcontractors do not have to submit the same ticket. If you have ideas on how to make the Missouri 811 system better, we want to hear them. Share them with the Operating Committee at [operationschair@missouri-811.org](mailto:operationschair@missouri-811.org) or any Missouri 811 employee. That includes me…You can email me at [rnorden@missouri-811.org](mailto:rnorden@missouri-811.org) ![Missouri 811](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Facebook%20Profile.png?width=70&name=Facebook%20Profile.png) ### Written By: Missouri 811 ## You May Also Like ### [![Executive Director's Letter: Just An Inch More – Let’s Make It Better](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hubfs/Missouri811_UndergroundNews_Winter2025_ArticleImages7-1.png) *Jan 7, 2026 12:45:00 PM | Winter 2025* Executive Director's Letter: Damages, Digups, and D.I.R.T.](https://blog.missouri-811.org/underground-news/executive-directors-letter-damages-digups-and-d.i.r.t) ### [![Executive Director's Letter: Just An Inch More – Let’s Make It Better](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hubfs/Missouri811_UndergroundNews_Winter2024_ArticleImages3-1.png) *Jan 2, 2025 11:43:43 AM | Winter 2024* Executive Director's Letter](https://blog.missouri-811.org/underground-news/executive-directors-letter) ### [![Executive Director's Letter: Just An Inch More – Let’s Make It Better](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hubfs/Missouri811_UndergroundNews_Summer2025_ArticleImages2.png) *Jul 15, 2025 2:55:57 PM | Summer 2025* Executive Director's Letter - Keeping It Up To Date](https://blog.missouri-811.org/underground-news/executive-directors-letter-keeping-it-up-to-date-clone) [Learn More](https://www.example.com) [![Missouri 811_Logo_Full Color Reversed Stacked](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Missouri%20811_Logo_Full%20Color%20Reversed%20Stacked.png?width=212&height=175&name=Missouri%20811_Logo_Full%20Color%20Reversed%20Stacked.png "Missouri 811_Logo_Full Color Reversed Stacked")](https://missouri-811.org/) ## **PLACE A LOCATE REQUEST** [**CALL 811**](tel:811) Download the App: [![google-play-badge-1](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/google-play-badge-1.png?width=839&height=250&name=google-play-badge-1.png "google-play-badge-1")](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.occ.mocs&hl=en_US&gl=US) [![Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US.png?width=749&height=250&name=Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US.png "Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US")](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/missouri-one-call-system/id1462376234) 824 Weathered Rock Rd Jefferson City, MO 65101 ## **Follow us on social media.** Stay informed on the latest news and regulation changes. **Always remember to place your locate requests at least 3 working days before you dig. 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