In episode 148 of the Asset Champion podcast, host Mike Petrusky speaks with Kelly Kinghorn, Senior Partner and Digital Technology Practice Lead at ReVisionz, Inc., where he helps clients with the digital transformation of physical assets. He shares his perspectives on asset management, the challenges of managing data and the role of new technologies in overcoming them. The conversation covers why organizational change management (OCM) is a key part of the digital journey and how early involvement of operations and maintenance teams during a project is essential for setting data standards and requirements. Kinghorn explains why he feels artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning can help with data cleanup and rationalization for existing assets, reducing the need for manual processes. He also explains why successful digital transformation programs require strong leadership support and clear communication of benefits to stakeholders.
Agenda
- Digital transformation of physical assets
- Organizational change management
- Data management challenges
- Role of new technologies like AI in facilitating digital transformation
What you need to know: Facility and maintenance takeaways
Takeaway 1: Digital transformation requires a strong focus on organizational change management to ensure success
Digital transformation initiatives are crucial, they often fail when the human element is overlooked.
“You can invest a lot of money in digital transformation initiatives, but if you don’t bring people along on that journey within your organization and you don’t rightsize the change of what you’re implementing across your organization in an effective way using OCM, you’re setting yourself up for failure,” Kinghorn explains.
He describes OCM as a three-pronged approach, with communication, stakeholder impact, and training. “It’s about communication, right? How do you communicate that change out to the organization. Two is, what’s the impact for the stakeholders? What’s in it for them? And how is it going to make them better? How is it going to make their job easier? How it’s not going to eliminate their jobs, you know, get rid of that fear factor, but how is it going to change what they do?”
One of the many challenges is how quickly people put it aside.” OCM is probably one of the first things budgetary wise that’s cut from most all programs, but it’s probably one of the most important elements of any digital transformation journey you have, unquestionably.”
Takeaway 2: Effective data management is crucial for successful asset management in both new and existing facilities
It’s important to address data management challenges at different stages of a facility’s life cycle, particularly in the context of greenfield and brownfield projects.
For greenfield projects: “You need to get operations and maintenance at the table when you’re early on in that project environment. You need to set some standards and there’s some data requirements that you put that back on to the engineering firms and vendors that are providing that information early on in the project, and get that into the contracts that explicitly outline the data requirements that operations and maintenance need from an asset management perspective.”
For brownfield facilities, where data is often scattered across multiple systems: “We have new tools, we have new solutions, we have machine learning, we have AI that’s come around and I think it’s there’s a real huge opportunity with new solutions, new technologies specifically around AI of how AI solutions can interrogate business systems, learn the business data, rationalize the data.”
Takeaway 3: Leadership support is essential for the success of digital transformation initiatives
Executive leaders also play a key role in digital transformation efforts.
“Successful programs are led by leaders, and programs that typically fail are programs in which are pushed from the bottom that don’t have leadership support,” Kinghorn explains.
So, he recommends asset management leaders invest time in educating their executive leaders about the real-world challenges and the business value of digital transformation.
“Take that time with your executive leaders to bring them along in that journey, give them some real world examples of how your organization and how the frontline workers are, are struggling, and bring your leaders along with that journey and, and show them the business value they’ll get out of digital transformation initiatives and how they can drive better asset management practices in your organization,” he advises.
Remember, it’s a two-pronged approach, he says.
“You need leadership to drive change, and you need the working level and, and the frontline people along in that journey, and it needs to be lockstep right from the get-go.”
Maintenance management insights
- OCM is often the first element to be cut from budgets but is crucial for successful digital transformation.
- Data handover from engineering to operations and maintenance should be managed early and effectively to ensure data relevance and accessibility.
- AI and machine learning can significantly accelerate data cleanup and rationalization, especially for brownfield assets.
- Leadership support is essential for the success of digital transformation initiatives.
- Successful programs are driven by leaders and must involve frontline workers to ensure a cohesive approach.
- Continuous learning and pushing the boundaries of technology are key traits of an asset champion.
Do a deep dive into more asset management insights by exploring all Asset Champion Podcast episodes.
