1. Missed Visits Are the First Warning Sign
A route that consistently misses stores is already failing.
Watch for:
- Overdue visits
- Skipped priority stores
- Irregular visit frequency
- Routes that look full but deliver little coverage
Missed visits always show up in sales later.
2. High Drive Time With Low Store Impact
Driving more does not mean executing more.
Underperforming routes often show:
- Long drive time
- Few meaningful store interactions
- Short rushed visits
- Low task completion
High effort with low impact is a routing problem, not a rep problem.
3. Inconsistent Execution Quality
Routes that look fine on paper may still fail in store.
Red flags include:
- Incomplete tasks
- Weak photo quality
- Repeated execution issues
- Similar problems across multiple stores on the same route
Patterns reveal route design flaws.
4. Priority Stores Treated Like Low Value Stops
If high value stores are visited late in the day or inconsistently, the route is misaligned.
Underperforming routes do not respect:
- Store importance
- Promo timing
- Manager availability
- Required visit duration
Priority must drive sequence, not convenience.
5. Repeated Firefighting by Managers
When managers constantly fix the same issues, the route is failing.
Signs include:
- Reassigning visits
- Adding last minute stops
- Chasing execution gaps
- Rebuilding routes manually
Good routes reduce intervention.
Bad routes require constant rescue.
How Navimate Identifies Weak Routes Early
Navimate surfaces route problems before sales are impacted.
Navimate provides:
- Route level performance visibility
- Visit completion tracking
- Task and photo completion rates
- Drive time versus execution analysis
- Store level execution history
Managers see problems forming and correct routes before revenue is lost.
Conclusion
Underperforming routes rarely fail overnight.
They fail slowly and silently.
Teams that monitor route quality in real time protect coverage, execution, and sales.
Those that wait for numbers react too late.
