Digital Intelligence Program
R&A served as a consulting partner for a Northeast utility that serves 1.1 million customers to develop a sustainable digital intelligence program that improve the overall efficacy of its vegetation management program through intelligent technologies like LiDAR, drones, satellite, aerial and AI.
Situation
The client desired to enable hazard tree identification, validation of executed trimming (e.g., single limbs vs. whole trees), and the ability to develop data driven work plans. The client also desired to understand technology viability for added value of identification of asset structure defects impacting risk and compliance (e.g., broken cross arms) and independent and remote verification of additional field work progress/completion.
Objective
Build a digital intelligence program that addresses near-term use cases while enabling future flexibility to add others. Design the program and technology architecture around a modular approach to meet unique client operational requirements.
Solution
Performed Current State Assessment: Analyzed clients current state capabilities, environment, and use case requirements and used real-world data and leverage digital collection sampling to validate field requirements and technology viability.
Defined Integrated CONOP Solution: Validated technology options for client use cases and enabled informed selection based on considerations such as total cost of ownership, readiness, availability, timelines, data quality needs, aggregated ROI, etc.
Documented Program and Roadmap: Developed actionable plan that provides adequate details to enable client to confidently forecast, prepare, and move from program strategy to program standup and operations for the selected program model.
Results
Client has a project roadmap and business case for the implementation of the DIP opportunity that provides value by optimizing costs and increasing reliability.
Next steps are in progress to relaunch DIP initiatives and capabilities to support the vegetation management program.
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Client has a functional model which outlines the program, functions, relationships, and roles required of an intelligent vegetation management program.
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Client knows root the cause problems with current vegetation management practices limiting cost optimization with vendors amongst other cost and reliability focused opportunities such as changes to cycles, specifications, and scheduling.
Client knows the data type(s) (e.g., satellite, LiDAR, aerial imagery) it needs to collect to enable data-driven vegetation management cost optimization and other value drivers. -
Client has a technology solution strategy and path to operationalize the strategy to collect data and utilize data.
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Client knows the tactical steps to activate strategy and its options to include a qualified pool of technologies and vendors that can meet the program’s needs.
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Shared the “art of the possible” when digital technologies are innovated, allowing the client to transition from innovative aspirations into a defined innovation roadmap.