Projects built on experience.
At Lakuna, we thrive on understanding your business problems and finding solutions to solve them. We draw on our collective experience in the industry to provide recommendations based on real-world experience.
Governance Framework
This investor-owned utility’s goal was to replace aging technology and improve reliability while enhancing resiliency.
Business
Readiness
Business Readiness
This business had to enhance the self-service features available to client’s customers and streamline customer-facing processes.
Business
Strategy
Business Strategy
The utility needed to translate its technology strategy of a portfolio of investments into a meaningful story to convey value.
Financial Analysis & Process
Helped onboard employees into financial roles & build financial planning and analysis to support ongoing operations.
System Implementation
Governance Framework
Project Overview
A large investor-owned utility in the Northeast was implementing a portfolio of grid modernization projects including smart meters, an advanced distribution management system, a work management system and a geographic information system upgrade. The utility’s goal was to replace aging technology and improve reliability and significantly enhance resiliency.
Our Approach
Lakuna was engaged to implement a governance model and establish a project management office for the portfolio of projects to ensure adequate oversight on project execution, cost controls and progress metrics. Building off our experience of managing complex programs such as these, Lakuna put into place a PMO that oversaw change management, integrations, dependencies, testing, cost and schedule across the portfolio. This team worked closely with each project to improve transparency of project status and timely identify risks and potential issues.
Client Results
The Lakuna team was tightly connected to the each of the projects and established a trusted relationship with the business. As a trusted advisor, Lakuna worked closely with the business to identify risks and develop plans to mitigate. As a result of the project management controls implemented, scope changes were reduced by nearly 75%.
System Implementation
Business Readiness
Project Overview
A municipal utility in the mid-West was preparing to go-live with a new customer portal. The utility’s goal was to enhance the self-service features available to its customers and streamline processes such as move-in/move-out, bill payment, bill pay assistance and landlord services.
Our Approach
Lakuna was engaged to assess the utility’s preparedness for the upcoming system go-live by performing an internal stakeholder assessment, training plan assessment, assist in the development of the communication plan and steps to organize and prepare for go-live. Lakuna met with internal stakeholders across the business and developed recommendations for areas of focus to bring team members along the change curve prior to go-live.
Client Results
The utility was well prepared for its go-live event. The stakeholders received adequate training, and customers were informed of the changes and how it would improve their experience.
System Implementation
Business Strategy
Project Overview
A large investor-owned utility in the Northeast was preparing for its annual strategy meeting of its Board of Directors. The utility needed to translate its technology strategy of a portfolio of investments in grid technologies into a meaningful story to convey the value from the foundational technologies that were being implemented.
Our Approach
Lakuna was engaged to develop the creative materials and messaging through an interactive gallery walk using life size printed materials and QR codes to bring the story to life. Lakuna worked with each of the projects to understand the value as well as future state capabilities that were being delivered from the transformation portfolio. Developing six different personas representing stakeholders throughout the utility, Lakuna delivered an immersive experience that not only showed how the technologies integrated together to improve the customer and employee experience but also demonstrated how they positioned the utility for the future.
Client Results
Feedback from the Board indicated that this was one of the best educational sessions they had received, and the interactive portion of the gallery walk was engaging, informative and relatable. The goal of gaining an understanding the value from the investments was achieved.
Finance & Risk Management
Financial Analysis & Process
Project Overview
A gas utility in the South was preparing to close on acquisitions and needed to model the implications of regulatory proceedings on its financial forecasts. The utility was building new systems and processes and hiring internal resources to build out back-office functions. The utility needed assistance to onboard new employees into back-office roles and build financial planning and analysis processes to support ongoing operations.
Our Approach
Lakuna was engaged to provide analysis and advice around the financial plan as well as assist in scaling the finance organization. Working with the outsourced accounting firm and financial advisors, Lakuna was able to advise the chief finance officer and chief operating officer on monthly financial results as well as perform scenario analysis to help with decision making. Lakuna developed new business processes around monthly financial planning and analysis and transitioned to internal staff.
Client Results
The monthly close process was modified, and controls were put into place to facilitate meaningful analysis of results. The build out of the organization, including processes and the corporate-level financial plan, allowed for targeted and effective communication and reporting tailored for both internal management and investment committees.