One of the challenges of operating an electrical utility is that the grid has to be constantly updated to meet customer demand. This calls for a coordinated effort from many individuals; every time a new building is added, design documents have to be created and approved, parts have to be ordered, and crews have to be allocated.

In late 2010, Hydro Ottawa enlisted Lean Advisors to help reduce project lead times and improve efficiency. After a series of training seminars, multi-functional teams used the Lean Value Stream Mapping (VSM) tool to analyze the entire project delivery process, from request of a new service to final hookup. By mapping out the current and desired future states for the entire value stream, participants were able to create a roadmap for improvement across the three functional areas involved - design, installation, and material management.

"We are definitely trying to address this value stream, because it crosses so many different departments," says Brent Fletcher, Hydro Ottawa's Manager of Business Performance. "Instead of pointing fingers we think that we can deliver a process that is better for everybody. It will keep our inventory down, our carrying costs down, reduce the number of parts being returned, and ensure the parts are where they need to be when they need to be so that execution doesn't slow down."      

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