Advancing Work Management Across Nuclear Fleets

The Challenge

A large, regulated electric utility provides clean, safe, and reliable energy across 16 states in the United States. Included in its power generation is a nuclear power fleet, a highly available and reliable energy source aiding in global net zero carbon goals. Nuclear fleets require structured processes, detailed information, visibility, and efficiency to run safely and reliably during online operations or during outages. Organizational alignment is critical to supporting efficient processes, incorporating best practices, and making data-driven decisions that best serve customers and organizational growth. The utility approached Cohesive in early 2023 with specific regard to the scheduling and work management practices across its Nuclear Fleet, which had shown inconsistencies and process gaps. Additionally, the organization’s current technology was functionally deficient in helping to facilitate and optimize this process. Aligning best-in-industry scheduling practices with the use of modern technology to integrate and automate the process was also key in the client’s scope of work.

Our Solution

Applying Modern Maintenance Strategies to Nuclear Work Management

Cohesive, known for having deep expertise in nuclear plant operations and processes, as well as the capability of leveraging impactful industry-leading digital solutions, partnered with the organization to improve its scheduling practices across the entire nuclear fleet, resulting in a scheduling program with increased effectiveness and consistency that drove proper oversight, governance, and execution of their work activities.

The engagement identified five primary findings and over a dozen recommendations, resulting in a strategy and roadmap for the client to reference and use as an implementation guide to meet its specific goals.

The project was comprised of four phases:

1. Initiate
2. Plan
3. Execute
4. Close

A series of Fit-Gap workshops at each plant helped the teams better understand the as-is process, requirements and challenges at each site.

Once the fleet’s structures and processes were outlined, and challenges were identified, Cohesive subject matter experts proposed Go-Forward options to fill in the gaps and create a streamlined, consistent approach to work management and scheduling that drove successful, safe execution of fleet activities.

The Go-Forward Options included:

• Recommendations for process changes and guidelines
• changes in Maximo’s structure
• Modernization of scheduling integrations
• Strategic technology upgrades

The Client Benefits 

Increasing Operational Efficiencies Through Modernized Scheduling Practices

Cohesive brings a holistic approach to clients when providing recommendations for change. As an industry leader, the deep expertise in process and best practice is balanced with technology, personnel behaviors, training and change management to ensure effective, sustainable solutions that continue to support the organization. After the engagement, Cohesive provided the client with a strategic assessment and guide to create a transformed scheduling and work management program that would:

• Increase productivity
• Improve risk recognition and mitigation
• Improve governance and oversight
• Modernize technology
• Drive resilient operations