Data-driven asset lifecycle optimisation
At a glance
Driving value through data-led strategic and operational decision making.
The challenge
Reduce OpEx for Urban Utilities considering recently revised income forecasts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our response
By unlocking the value in existing data, we developed an optimised maintenance strategy. This enabled a leaner and more effective inspection replacement strategy for a range of Urban Utilities’ assets.
We worked in close collaboration with Urban Utilities team to deliver a transparent process and build capability. We adopted an agile approach, with prioritisation of analysis, focusing on key levers:
- Reduce scheduled maintenance spend for immediate OpEx savings
- Reduce energy costs for immediate OpEx savings
- Extend asset lives for medium-term CapEx savings
- Improve equipment reliability to reduce responsive maintenance and risk in the medium term
Beginning with a top-down review of value drivers, we translated initiatives into a transformation roadmap. Prioritising initiatives based on business value and ease of implementation.
Combining our integrated asset management expertise with data science and financial reliability modelling techniques, our team developed detailed proof-of-concept decision support tools and lifecycle value models.
The impact
Our team identified a maintenance optimisation program to drive continuous improvements and process efficiencies that will:
- Save AUD 1.8m in annual savings from optimised inspection strategies across pumps, electrical and instrumentation assets
- Improve data quality metrics by 100%, providing confidence in business decisions and forecasts
It will set Urban Utilities on a path for sustainable improvement, contributing to:
- AUD 1.2m in annual savings with the initiation of a new sewage pump operating strategy
- Reduced overflow risk and cost to serve for the community
- A 53% cut in annual maintenance tasks that improve safety for team members
We identified AUD1.8m in annual savings & improved data quality by 100% with an optimised utilities maintenance strategy.
The GHD Advisory team was instrumental in identifying opportunities to pursue data-driven maintenance and evidence-based decision-making about asset renewals.
The team was excellent at working collaboratively with the various internal teams responsible for OpEx and CapEx decision-making, developing our internal capability to pursue this approach beyond the project engagement.
The GHD Advisory team offered insight and assisted in developing tools and processes that now help to scope and prioritise optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives, track progress and successfully land changes that deliver value or reduce risk.”