Version 1 Partners NIE Networks in Digital Transformation
NIE Networks own and operate the electricity transmission and distribution network that serves over 860,000 customers.
Since 2010, NIE Networks has been a subsidiary of ESB Group.
Client Profile
Key Challenges
Mobilising Business Transformation
The Utility Regulator (UR) for Northern Ireland has a statutory duty to promote competition in the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity. Within the UR Forward Work Programme it identified the electricity connections market as an area where competition was to be established.
NIE Networks engaged Version 1 initially to mobilise the business transformation programme to introduce competition, and then to deliver the programme over a period of 3 years.
Solution
Our Approach
Version 1’s multi-disciplined team (project management, business analysis, change management and financial analysis expertise) partnered with NIE Networks to:
- Mobilise the transformation programme to respond effectively to the challenges of competition. Build a blended team with NIE Networks subject matter experts across a range of business areas.
- Introduce and embed agile ways of working, developing a culture of collaboration, visibility of status, and business ownership of outcomes.
- Examine business scope, processes, roles, responsibilities and structures.
- Establish the framework for interacting with key stakeholders in the competitive market.
- Modelling future business scenarios and charging arrangements, ensuring that they are cost-reflective.
- Develop internal processes designed to meet the requirements of facilitating, and operating in, a competitive market.
- Provide programme and project management support to programme and workstream planning and delivery, including risk and issue management.
Real Differences...
...Delivered.
Significant strides on digital journey
Move away from manual paper-based processes and systems to modern digital technology. Introduced a suite of digital applications across the organisation:
- Electricity connections design solution
- Online applications
- Online payments
- Document management
- Self-service portal
- Mobile enabled Job Management
Connections market opened by NIE Networks, within UR timeframe
UR set a fixed deadline of March 2018 for the opening of the connections market to competition. This meant within 18 months NIE Networks had to deliver significant business change. Using Version 1 as a trusted partner a successful delivery was achieved. Built upon:
- Agile delivery – using proven agile techniques bringing visibility and accountability.
- Governance – strong internal sponsorship blended with external support maintained the discipline.
- Effective prioritisation – doing the most important things first, adapting to change as required.
Recognised market engagement model – by all participants
The foundation for opening the market was to have a ‘contestability engagement framework’ that all market participants recognised. Working closely with Version 1, NIE Networks developed this with internal and external stakeholders.
Aligned to this framework, NIE Networks was able to define what a suitably scaled business looked like, encompassing the required structures, processes and technologies.
Access to and visibility of data
NIE Networks can now create, track and manage all of their job information across an integrated digital platform.
- 6000 connection designs created digitally.
- 107,000+ digitally stored docs accessible Since June 2017.
- 50% of applications now created online, saving time and improving quality.
High value outcomes, on time, within regulatory allowance
A streamlined approach to prioritisation meant the projects providing the highest business value got delivered first, accruing benefits early.
- 23 projects in 18 months
- The portfolio of projects was delivered with a fixed regulatory allowance (£4.7m), fixed resource availability and no option to amend the go-live date.
- The market opened successfully on Wednesday 28th March 2018, with NIE Networks strengthening their reputation with the UR and in the wider market.
Cohesive rules of engagement
There is now a recognised set of processes, roles and responsibilities across all participants in the connections market. This includes NIE Networks, their customers, Independent Connections Providers (ICPs) and the UR.
Clearly defined customer journeys are in the public arena. It is transparent to customers what will happen should they choose to have NIE Networks complete all of their required connections or to engage an ICP for the contestable works.
