power generation - accenture...2015/05/23 · potential to transform the end-to-end work cycle and...

Digital FiElD WorkEr

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Power generation: Meet the New Digital Field Worker

2 | Power generation: Meet the New Digital Field Worker



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With many other examples of how digital technologies can be used to make information actionable, there is no longer a question about whether mobile and big data solutions can deliver value to the sector. the question now is about placing the right bets to extract as much value as possible.

Digital technologies that were, just a few years ago, considered experimental have become the lifeblood of success-ful companies around the world. in the power-generation field, however, the adoption of digital technologies to improve worker productivity has been slow.

today, utilities face an increasing challenge to meet earnings expectations amid difficult market conditions and emerging technological disruptive changes.

Power generation: Meet the New Digital Field Worker | 3

increasingly, power generators are looking for ways to not only improve plant performance, but also reduce their operational and maintenance costs. advances in digital technologies hold tremendous possibilities.

With increasing competition and falling margins, generators have no choice but to streamline operations, free up capital and boost workforce productivity. one way generators can start addressing these goals is by improving their data management capabilities. With better data accuracy and streamlined approaches to how they access, analyze and share information, leaders can make smarter decisions that will ultimately drive margin and performance improvements.

one of the most comprehensive digital solutions that holds particular promise for power generators targets the performance and productivity of field personnel and others involved in work management. known as an Electronic Work Package (EWP), the solution uses advances in mobile technologies to transition craft plant employees to become knowledge plant workers who can drive operational efficiencies that, until now, have been inaccessible and unrealized.

at its core, the EWP introduces cutting-edge technologies that enable power generators to completely trans-form the areas of work management, operational execution, and preventive and corrective maintenance. For most generators, work management comprises a complex set of inefficient, labor-intensive processes and activities (see Figure 1). Each year, thousands of


FigurE 1. the traditional approach to work management is highly inefficient.

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physical work packages are manually assembled. often, these packages are created well in advance of the work being carried out, meaning that any changes to the scope or nature of the work must be manually updated in the package. During the execution of the package, workers have only the physi-cal work packages to serve as a guide. in many cases, there are repetitive delays in field work execution to address documentation needs or other gaps within the physical work package. Plant workers are in relative isolation, with little real-time oversight. they complete their tasks, take manual notes as needed, and then pass their notes and work reports to their super-visors, who pass them further to a clerical team for entry into the work management system (WMS) or electronic document management system (EDMS).

Electronic Work Packages: A promising digital solution


FigurE 2. Electronic work packages streamline the work package lifecycle and introduce significant process efficiencies.

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Electronic work packages have the potential to transform the end-to-end work cycle and the productivity of the hundreds of individuals involved— from planners and schedulers to plant workers to those responsible for data entry and reporting. With EWPs, power generators can digitize the entire work package cycle (see Figure 2). Work plans and schedules are created in electronic formats that can incorporate useful videos, pictures and other capabilities not available with a physical package. Plant workers, armed with mobile tablets versus physical binders, capture data electronically and then submit this information electronically to their supervisors and reporting teams. Closeout processes are completed and quality assurance records are processed directly in the EWP application, which is seamlessly integrated with the generator’s EDMS and WMS.

Plant workers, armed with mobile tablets versus physical binders, capture data electronically and then submit this information electronically to their supervisors and reporting teams.

While only a couple of North american power generators are currently piloting an EWP solution that covers the full range of planning, execution and closeout processes, interest across the industry is quite high and for good reason. With EWPs, plant workers are expected to gain up to 1.5 hours each day in dedicated work time, boosting their productivity up to 25 percent. a planner’s productivity can improve by 10 to 30 percent. Clerical or back-office professionals can reduce the time spent on work package-related activities up to 75 percent. together, these productivity gains translate into operational efficiencies, savings and improved performance.

With digital technologies, field super-visors have unprecedented access to real-time information. this opens up a new world of possibilities in terms of applying advanced analytics to improve reliability, maintenance effectiveness, and even plant safety. Supervisors can, for example, easily track field plant work in real time and compare preventive maintenance approaches, identify best-in-class methods, and adjust their training as appropriate. the result is better, safer work—and less rework.


Digital processes, real-world benefits

improved collaboration and integration with other mobile devices are also important byproducts of a digitized environment. the EWP connects all work package stakeholders in real time, enabling a highly integrated process. also, craft plant personnel can use their digital devices, for example, to photograph equipment in the field and work seamlessly with the engineering team to accelerate problem resolution.

Field supervisors, like others in the work package lifecycle, will be unchained from manual processes. the amount of time they can spend in the field, working alongside their crews, is expected to rise by up to 50 percent.

accenture believes that every business will ultimately be a digital business. Power generators can now get in on the digital action by deploying digital platforms for field plant work-forces. opportunities to generate value from digital solutions will certainly expand to other areas—such as asset management and communications— as new technologies and analytical capabilities emerge.

to take optimal advantage of the digital solutions such as EWP, leaders should invest time to examine the digital solutions now at their disposal, as well as the feasibility of incorporat-ing those solutions into their operations. it is especially important to engage the plant workers who will be affected by the digital transition. Having these individuals involved in developing the digital strategy, design-ing new processes and testing the final solution is a critical component to gaining the organizational buy-in that is needed to achieve the desired results.

Finally, in developing their business cases for change, power generators need to realize that digital solutions are multi-dimensional. that is, value is not found solely in the area of work-force productivity; digital technologies can also be used to facilitate process standardization, cost reductions and other improvements that will help power generators compete and thrive. Similarly, digital solutions must be seen as more than technology solutions. Business process redesign, training and change management programs are all critical factors to digital success.


Going digital

Power generators are now on the cusp of a transformation. the digital field plant worker is simply the first manifestation of the many opportunities that will ultimately be available for the digital utility to transform for value and growth.

about accenture

accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approxi-mately 289,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. the company generated net revenues of uS$28.6 billion for the fiscal year ended aug. 31, 2013. its home page is www.accenture.com.

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power generation - accenture...2015/05/23 · potential to transform the end-to-end work cycle and...

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