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Utilities Tech Outlook | Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Utilities construction companies integrate PMO solutions to optimize operations through effective reporting, reliable information, and data security.
FREMONT, CA: The utility industry is upgrading its efforts to modernize utilities and power grids. It is replacing outdated substations, hardening grid infrastructure for protection against natural disasters, and constructing greenfield transmission and distribution (TD) projects.
Project management organizations (PMO) are seeking innovative ways of minimizing delays and improving coordination between safety, engineering, procurement, right-of-way, environmental, operations, and construction.
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Utility construction companies can maximize operations by adopting the following best practices.
Data-based reporting and decision making: Consistent communication amongst departments and relying on real-time information manages construction oversight issues. Integrating field reporting tools and artificial intelligence (AI) for business intelligence improves overall functionality. Real-time information must be provided to appropriate levels of operations and management regarding rights of way, material management, engineering, safety, and construction progress.
Construction management and construction oversight personnel must have access to revised engineering and manufacturer drawings without delay and with appropriate document controls. Engineering needs to receive as-built drawings from the field promptly and in a format that allows them to update prints efficiently. Utilities can improve material management and construction progress reporting.
Reliable information: It is important to report material deficiencies quickly and clearly to avoid project delays. Construction progress should be presented in such a way as to give a true picture of the project's progress. Construction management, engineering, and PMO need flexible progress reports that are detailed enough to give them insight into trending construction and project issues using artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Utilities face challenges obtaining updated as-built drawings from the field to engineers because field teams need access to the latest documents and drawings. Providing reliable project progress updates and as-built information to the PMO and engineering teams is the primary objective of construction oversight programs.
Data security: Companies prioritize data security in utilities and other critical infrastructure industries. Effective policies begin with secured logins and devices. Individual logins must be secure, and the combination of this and multi-factor authentication (MFA) makes it difficult for security breaches to occur. Teams need to enable device security to allow remote data wiping if they are stolen or lost. Digital data, asset protection, and phishing awareness training are essential in the industry.
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