Why better data matters for utility operations
How data quality influences decisions, efficiency and safety
Why it matters
Poor data quality can undermine critical operational decisions
Reliable information supports safer, more efficient utility operations
Data improvement helps organizations maximize existing system investments
Utilities rely on data to make decisions about infrastructure, operations and long-term investments. But as information continues to accumulate across databases and operational systems, the quality of that data becomes increasingly important.
When the underlying information is inaccurate or incomplete, the consequences can extend well beyond the database. Poor data quality can undermine operational decisions, increase costs, complicate system improvements and create safety concerns.
The operational cost of poor data quality
Every transaction within a utility's databases and operational systems can either strengthen or weaken the reliability of its information.
Poor data quality can lead to additional expenses, rework and lost opportunities to realize the full value of existing systems. These challenges can become particularly visible during legacy system migrations and conversions, when longstanding data issues may delay or disrupt modernization efforts.
Inaccurate information can also affect daily operations and decision-making. Without a reliable data foundation, utilities may struggle to extract meaningful insights from their systems or make informed decisions about infrastructure.
Improving data quality is therefore more than a technical maintenance activity. It is an important part of supporting efficient operations, regulatory compliance and safety.
Building a stronger data foundation
Data improvement begins with recognizing that information needs are constantly evolving. As utilities collect more data, maintaining its accuracy and consistency requires ongoing attention.
Organizations may need specialized technical expertise, quality control processes and workflows tailored to their operational requirements.
These approaches can help reduce data errors and inconsistencies, manage backlogs and improve the reliability of information used throughout the organization.
Customized workflows can also reduce manual effort and support more consistent data management.
For utilities managing complex infrastructure, better information creates opportunities to improve asset management, support analytics and strengthen collaboration across business units.
How better data supports utility operations
The value of data improvement extends across electric, gas and telecommunications utilities.
Aaron Novak, a data solutions project manager, has seen these benefits through projects involving updates to electric geographic information system (GIS) data.
According to Novak, incorporating new job information into GIS systems can make daily field operations more efficient, improve asset and data management, reduce costs and strengthen collaboration with other business units and stakeholders.
He also emphasizes the value of maintaining detailed data systems to support regulatory compliance and safety.
Data quality can also influence infrastructure analysis and investment decisions.
Brad Oleson, a project manager within the data solutions group, described work involving high consequence area (HCA) reviews and class location analysis.
By examining and updating underlying data, his team helped determine whether certain pipeline segments could be removed from HCA classifications.
Oleson reported that this work helped one client defer or reduce maintenance associated with HCA removals, with a reported financial impact of approximately $500 million.
While outcomes depend on the specific project and data involved, the example illustrates how more accurate information can influence operational and financial decisions.
Turning reliable data into better decisions
For utilities, the value of data improvement is not limited to maintaining cleaner databases.
Reliable information supports everyday operations, infrastructure analysis, asset management and long-term planning. It can also help organizations make better use of the systems and investments they already have.
As operational needs evolve and more information is collected, maintaining a strong data foundation will remain essential to making informed decisions and realizing the value of utility data.
Key takeaways
Poor data quality can increase costs, complicate system modernization and undermine important utility operational decisions
Accurate, reliable data supports field operations, asset management, regulatory compliance and collaboration across utility organizations
Improving existing data can strengthen infrastructure analysis and help utilities make more informed investment decisions
