OCWA-Metropolitan Water Board Operational Merger

What was the Challenge?

During Onondaga County Water Authority’s (OCWA) merger with the Metropolitan Water Board (MWB) in late 2016, OCWA acquired Onondaga County’s 34 water employees and took stewardship of their infrastructure. The merger was an example of operational consolidation to improve efficiencies and reduce the cost of providing drinking water to residents of Central New York.
Because of the differences in how the two organizations operated and utilized asset management tools, MWB’s asset data and work management processes needed to be modified to fit OCWA’s standards. MWB staff needed to be trained on OCWA’s asset and work management practices to ensure a successful transition. The new infrastructure had to be incorporated into OCWA’s risk analysis and vulnerability assessment profile to ensure full integration.

How did Barton & Loguidice provide a solution?

To support the operational consolidation, B&L provided technical services by running workshops, training sessions, and performing data transfer between the enterprise asset management software tool that both organizations used, IBM Maximo.
B&L developed an asset management software usage matrix that optimized the current licenses owned by OCWA, eliminating the need to purchase additional software to support the merger. Other software configurations were implemented to enhance business process, improve usability, and enhance asset management activities.
To support the data transfer and new user creation, B&L performed system configuration of OCWA’s Maximo system and set up MWB’s assets to support OCWA’s site vulnerability assessments, risk assessments, and condition assessments.

Why was the project a success?

B&L’s Maximo expertise, as well as a detailed understanding of both organizations’ operational and asset management practices, was critical for successfully merging the data and training employees in OCWA’s work management practices. Throughout the merger and this project, the team was able to identify best asset management practices that had been utilized and then consolidate them, improving upon OCWA’s existing asset management program.