Development of the openKONSEQUENZ module “Planned network measure” started
User module “Planned network measure”
The openKONSEQUENZ consortium aims to provide software for network operators in the energy and water industry that implements their requirements functionally, efficiently and securely.
The “Planned network measure” is a user module of the openKONSEQUENZ platform. It is intended to support network operators in planning and coordinating necessary maintenance and repair work in the supply networks.
In order for planned maintenance and repair work to be carried out in the supply network, it is necessary to apply for a planned network measure. The affected equipment, the time and duration of the grid measure and the parties involved are recorded with the application. When processing the measure application, the course of the network measure is planned, its feasibility checked and released for approval. After a further review of the network measure, it is then approved for implementation.
The module keeps everyone involved informed about the current status of the network measure at all times, from planning to completion of the work.
Project team and approach
On behalf of the openKONSEQUENZ consortium, the clients of the module are the two network operating companies EWR Netz GmbH and Netz Leipzig GmbH. The IT management consultancy PTA GmbH is responsible for project implementation and realization of the Planned Network Measure module. An external QA reviewer was also appointed.
The project procedure corresponds to that of the previous module Operating diary. In addition to the software experts, PTA GmbH also provides the Scrum Master to manage the agile project. In this approach, the project team delivers functional components every three weeks, which the product owner officially approves as part of the sprint reviews. In this way, the module grows from sprint to sprint.
Involving users at an early stage
The users, i.e. the employees of the network control center, benefit from this approach because they are involved in the development process at an early stage. Based on the currently released development status, colleagues at the control center can test the new application and check whether their requirements from day-to-day business have been implemented efficiently and in a targeted manner. As the heads of the network control centers are also part of the project team, it is ensured that user feedback is taken into account during product development.
“We are happy to have the network control centers on board. This allows us to optimize the benefits of the application and increase user acceptance at the same time,” emphasizes Dr. Michel Alessandrini (Project Manager, PTA GmbH).
Current status and further planning
The official kick-off event took place on March 6, 2018 in Worms, where the entire project team and the responsible parties from all parties involved met in person for the first time. Once the final project preparations had been completed, the first sprint planning meeting took place in Mannheim a week later.
Information on the current project status can be found on the openKONSEQUENZ project page of the Planned Network Measure module. The updates take place every three weeks after a sprint has been completed.
