Stepwise
Building a platform for measurable operational efficiency and emissions reduction in offshore operations
From operational insight to a scalable digital system
sector
Services
The challenge
Offshore operators face increasing pressure to reduce fuel consumption, emissions intensity, and operational cost while maintaining safety and performance. At the same time, operational data is often fragmented across multiple systems, contractors, and spreadsheets. This makes it difficult to establish trusted baselines, identify improvement opportunities, and verify results across rigs, campaigns, and joint ventures.
Stepwise was founded to address this challenge. The ambition was to build a system that turns operational data into measurable improvements in fuel efficiency, cost, and emissions performance across offshore operations.
Delivering this required more than software. The company needed a practical framework that connects data, operational expertise, and continuous improvement practices. The system also had to integrate complex offshore data sources, support regulatory reporting requirements, and remain usable for both offshore crews and onshore teams.
From day one, Stepwise needed a partner who could help translate this operational vision into a working digital product, delivery model, and scalable organisation.
What we did
Canoe partnered with Stepwise from day 1 and remains closely involved as the platform and service continue to evolve.
Working alongside the founders and Subject-Matter Experts (SMEs), Canoe helped translate Stepwise’s operational methodology into a functioning digital platform and delivery model.
We supported the design of the platform architecture, user experience, and data flows required to capture operational data across rigs, vessels, logistics systems, and supporting infrastructure. The system allows teams to establish baselines, identify Energy Reduction Initiatives (ERIs), monitor operational performance, and verify the resulting impact.
Through strategy workshops, design thinking methodologies, and structured facilitation, Canoe worked with the Stepwise team to shape the operational framework behind the product. Iterative prototyping and user testing with SMEs ensured the platform reflected real offshore workflows and could be adopted in daily operations.
Canoe also supported the development of the communication and adoption layer required to bring the solution to market. This included brand development, storytelling, visual design, UI and UX systems, website development, and video production to clearly communicate the operational value of Stepwise to operators, contractors, and partners.
In parallel, Canoe contributed to the organisational and technical foundations needed for enterprise deployment. This included support for governance structures, development collaboration, and vendor coordination, as well as preparation for ISO 27001 certification and secure operations.
Together, this work helped translate Stepwise from an early concept into a working system used in live offshore operations globally.
Impact
Stepwise has developed into a trusted system for operational efficiency and emissions management across offshore drilling and marine operations.
Operators and drilling contractors use the platform to integrate operational data, identify improvement initiatives, monitor execution during campaigns, and verify results after operations.
Results include:
- Trusted, user-centric emissions management platform used by major drilling contractors and operators
- 10–15% fuel savings within 12 months per asset engagement, reducing both operational cost and CO₂ emissions
- Real-time operational insight that helps operators demonstrate regulatory compliance and share best practices across rigs and fleets
The platform continues to expand across assets and regions, helping operators improve operational efficiency while meeting increasing environmental and regulatory requirements.
Why Canoe
Stepwise needed more than a specification. They needed a long-term partner who could combine product strategy, service design, and organisational development in a complex industrial environment. Canoe brought experience from energy, industrial systems, and digital product development, embedding with the Stepwise team to help build both the platform and the organisational capability required for secure, scalable growth. By working closely with the founders, engineers, and operational experts, Canoe helped translate industry expertise into a practical system that connects operational data, expert insight, and measurable improvement across offshore operations.
Canoe has played a key role in the design of the Stepwise application and has been central to improving the user experience. They thoroughly understand the user's needs, ask good questions and simplify complex challenges. Canoe sees things from multiple perspectives, challenges constructively and contributes to better solutions. They standardise the design to create wholeness and consistency, are reliable, take ownership and deliver quality on time.
Canoe have been partners with Stepwise from the very beginning. They have helped us shape the organisation and the platform's user experience, ensuring that structure, workflows, and design work together in practice. The collaboration has been hands-on, thoughtful, dedicated, and important in turning an early idea into a successful product and service for our clients globally.
We simply would not be where we are without them. From day one, they brought clarity to roles, aligned our product architecture with how people actually work, and built real momentum through rapid prototyping and strategy sessions. Their support with DevOps and ISO 27001 gave us the confidence to grow safely. They make you feel like their only customer, no fuss, they simply deliver. I've seen billion-dollar companies that don't achieve the same quality of work. Most importantly, they've become genuine friends and a real part of the Stepwise family.
