Project Controls Consulting & Talent

A leading energy provider, our client delivers electricity and natural gas to more than eight million customers in strategic US markets. To drive consistency across its transmission and distribution network, the company turned to System One for programmatic consulting and outsourced project controls support. They undertook a strategic initiative to bring one of its larger utility affiliate’s programs in line with its other regional distributors.

Client Scenario

To address rapid growth, the parent company opted for a managed service approach from System One. In addition to placing dozens of project controls specialists, we analyzed the firm’s methodologies, processes, and reports and evaluated their adherence to best practices. Significant differences existed across the company’s network, making it hard for the client to compare “apples to apples” when tracking resource availability, utilization, and spend.

System One Solution

System One undertook a project to build an overarching project controls framework that spanned the client’s enterprise. The first step was performing the due diligence to document the specific methodologies and practices the decentralized team should follow. Next, a gap analysis identified the steps necessary to align the utilities within a standardized format.

A critical component was the development of a customized database that allowed the dissimilar utility to process and report on data the same way as its sister companies, without access to the exact same systems and tools. System One developed a user-friendly and highly configurable database with a real-time interface with the company’s general ledger to pull the necessary financial information.

The system’s front-end replicated the established reports and trend analysis functionality available to the other utilities. Now up to speed and on par with the established protocol, the utility gained access to a deeper level of analytics than was previously possible.

System One’s solution also included training the staff to use and maintain the system. This knowledge transfer supported the client’s goals of developing project controls expertise in-house in preparation for future growth and potential integrations. Currently, System One also provides staff augmentation services for a specific project portfolio valued at over $100 million.

Client Benefits

Driven by the technology improvements, the client has experienced immediate positive results from the implementation. Previously, it was incredibly challenging to compare performance across the enterprise, requiring significant research and reformatting of data to ensure the consistency of reports. With the consolidated data available at their fingertips, the client gained more visibility into performance, down to the level of individual contractor costs.

What’s more, the client was able to introduce more consistent processes and repeatable methodologies as it rolled out the technology. Because of System One’s strong knowledge base, we provided a more cost-effective approach than using a non-specialized software or consulting firm to complete the project.

System One’s modular database – combined with standardized reporting output – allows this approach to be easily deployed with any client’s ERP system of choice. A clear project plan anchored by industry best practices readily adapts to any platform and business environment. System One’s success in efficiently and effectively transitioning this client to a consistent structure serves as a model for future rollouts.