Bridging the Gap - Benefits and Challenges of Applying Developed World Management Tools and Analytics in Less Developed Nations

摘要

In the global marketplace, decision-makers must transcend borders and cultural differences. This paper examines the application of management tools commonly used in industrialized countries, such as key performance indicators (KPIs) and benchmarking, to the needs of power generators in less developed countries. Without some adaptation, expected outcomes can easily get 'lost in translation.' To that end, NAES has adapted its O&M assessment methodology by molding the power plant's workflow to better align it with international expectations, while still increasing operating efficiency in spite of local challenges. The authors have found it essential to lay additional groundwork for an O&M assessment in a less developed country to ensure that NAES and its client are speaking the same language - literally and figuratively. Initial data collection, for example, will require extra effort if a plant lacks electronic documentation, standardized nomenclature and a common language with the assessing party. Safety, operations, maintenance and other KPIs need to be benchmarked within meaningful contexts to set the stage for continuous improvement in O&M performance. This paper traces the O&M assessment process as it is applied at plants that are geographically, linguistically and culturally separate from plants in the developed world. It's deemed a success once a system has been put in place that compares meaningful KPIs against those of competitors and enables a relatively isolated power asset to establish a rhythm of continuous improvement.