What
is Vital Knowledge?
In a world of increasing pressure to deliver faster and better,
performance should not be constrained by lack of knowledge. We
believe there is a better way to drive business performance. One
that migrates experience and skill from the subjective to the
objective, linking vital need to vital knowledge, connecting the
question to the answer.
We are in the business of uncovering and packaging vital
knowledge so that it can drive organizational performance. We apply
vigorous curiosity to articulate both questions and answers,
identifying vital knowledge and providing it to those with vital
need. We are never satisfied with the status quo, because we believe
there is no limit to what can be taught. We strive to see learning
in new ways, guided by vision that is applied and grounded in
reality.
Vital Knowledge at Hydro One
Business Issue
Hydro One operates the electricity transmission and distribution
system for the province of Ontario. It is one of the largest
electrical power systems in North America with over 270 transmission
stations and 28,500 kilometers of transmission lines serving an area
of approximately 640,000 square kilometers. In 2003 Hydro One
transmitted 152 TWh to a total of 12 million customers.
Due to centralization and retirement, senior management at Hydro
One realized that within 5 years there could be a shortage of
experienced system controllers for both operations and the mentoring
of new controllers. They also knew that, historically, it took 3
years to train a controller.
We were engaged to assess the situation as well as to develop,
implement and manage a solution that resolved this issue. In
collaboration with senior management, a goal was set to hire and
train 24 new controllers who would be fully competent and ready to
assume controller operations within 2 years.
Vital Response
We carried out research to identify best controller-training
practices within other leading North American electrical utilities.
In collaboration with Hydro One experts, we then articulated
Hydro One’s objectives and needs in order to categorize and
prioritize the knowledge required to operate the transmission
system. This knowledge was then structured into a phased curriculum
called the Controller In Training Program (CITP). The program was
designed to graduate controller trainees after 2 years of study and
covers:
- Power system comprehension
- Controller activities within safety and regulatory standards
- Ontario grid control center environment, systems, tools and
operations
- Situational response and preparedness
The required knowledge was then captured from a variety of
sources including expert interviews and existing documentation. This
vital information was embellished with media and published in
various formats to support a blended learning approach that
integrates electronic self-study, reference guides, simulations,
facilitator-led sessions and expert mentoring. The curriculum was
then posted to a secure Learning Distribution System (LDS) running
on the Hydro One Intranet. Here, controller trainees could directly
access the structured e-learning materials for self-study. It also
allows for trainees and management to track study progress and
assessment results garnered via online quiz, mentor monitoring and
proctored exam.
Business Results
Overall the program to date is a success. In electronic testing
controller trainees achieved on average grades of 96.5%, while 69.2%
achieved a grade of 100%. The average milestone exam score was
85.3%.
Feedback from trainees themselves indicates that they valued the
CITP program with 86.5% stating that the curriculum was challenging
but effective.
The CITP program is on schedule and within budget as content is
developed and training continues within the phased project plan.
Senior management at Hydro One is very pleased with the results
to date and the CITP program is on track to meet the overall
objective of graduating 24 electrical system controllers within 2
years as planned, rather than the 3 years as previously required.
The Pre-consult
For us it is all about you, our clients. We believe in relevance
- pull not push. We focus on understanding your issues and needs so
that an optimum action plan can be crafted to realize your best
possible outcome. We front our working relationships with the
pre-consult - an activity that is designed to bring definition,
clarity and consensus to the issue of your choice. It is a
facilitated working session that brings together our highly
experienced facilitators and your key stakeholders in a managed
process that quickly generates unparalleled results.
All results are documented and participants typically leave with
clear and valuable insight into the workplace issue that matters
most to them.
No fee, no obligation, just insight.
To discuss how you might experience and benefit from a complimentary
pre-consult session, please contact us.
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