The Firstenergy Goal
The FirstEnergy Plan was to develop a system that would replace our existing paper
mapping systems and assortment of facility databases with an automated digital mapping
and facilities management system. We intended to leverage the latest technology to
represent our facilities data graphically and geographically. We felt that it was important
for the health of our database, to ensure the data is be kept current by making the system
a fully integrated part of the operations work processes. We intended to have the data
updated by the designers of new work as a part of the design and estimating process. We
also planed to use the spatial power of our system to empower legacy corporate data.
This was accomplished by creating ‘keys’ between legacy databases and our
AM/FM/GIS which allow the legacy data to be geographically positioned and electrically
connected.
The plan and adjustments
The time line below indicates the original work plan. We have attempted to remain on
track with this plan although adjustments were necessary to address events for which we
had not planned. In the following paragraphs I will discuss each element of the time line
then the unexpected events and outcomes that required adjustments.
Figure 1. FirstEnerm Original Plan Time Line
FirstEnergy started following the AM/FM industry in the early 1980s and continued to
follow the industry until 1987 when a study was conducted to determine feasibility. In
1991, the 1987 study was revisited and a pilot project was approved. A small team was
assembled to work with consultants and a user committee to develop a plan which
included:
- Application Scope
- Hardware and Software Selection
- Database Design
- Application development
- Conversion
- Data acceptance
- Funding
- Contingencies
At this time the team developed a system time line and implementation plan. This plan
was very comprehensive and served us well during the project. The team addressed all
foreseeable aspects of a successful implementation. The plan was also designed to
sequence all aspects of the project so that the components were delivered when needed.
The following is a brief description of the elements of the plan focusing on application
development.
