Whether it's electric, natural gas, hydrogen or any other emerging technology, the key to success lies in careful preparation. Implementing new technologies represents a major change for a company, and should not be taken lightly. New constraints arise on a daily basis, and it's crucial to be aware of them in order to be well prepared. What are the best practices and pitfalls to avoid? The industry is evolving at a frenetic pace, making it difficult to stay up to date even for an expert like me. Stay tuned and welcome information with openness and curiosity to prepare yourself effectively.
Starting small, but well prepared
A small-scale but well-defined pilot project is the key to success when making a significant technological change. It's a great way to learn and fine-tune your approach before a wider roll-out. Take the time to define your pilot project and measure the results obtained, so you can plan an effective transition without compromising current reliability.
PREPARATION
If you've been following our previous AttriX blogs, you should have an energy analysis of your operations to get you started. If not, we strongly recommend that you carry out this analysis to assess the possibilities and establish a baseline period for calculating savings. Now it's time to plan the pilot project.
DEFINE THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES
Depending on your company's size and resources, determine the number of vehicles to be deployed in the project. A single vehicle may be enough to get a good idea of the success criteria, while a larger number of vehicles will increase the chances of success.
ESTABLISH THE KEY CRITERIA TO BE EVALUATED
Criteria vary according to the technology and the company's mission. For some, range is paramount; for others, recharging time is critical. Don't forget to include criteria for employee satisfaction, vehicle reliability and maintenance requirements.
DETERMINING PROJECT INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSION
Avoid the “while you're at it” approach that can derail a project. Clearly define inclusions and exclusions to ensure a clear understanding by all parties and maintain a realistic project scope. For example, if your company uses several types of transport, focus on just one type for the pilot project.
SET UP A STEERING COMMITTEE
Define who is responsible for the project, and include the dealer among the stakeholders. This facilitates problem-solving and ensures appropriate improvements. A steering committee that meets regularly makes it easier to monitor the project's progress and plan the next steps.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER
CONSIDER REDUNDANCy
when implementing a new technology, reliability problems can arise. Plan B to ensure continuity of service. It is often advisable to conduct project testing alongside normal operations at the outset, to ensure success and acceptance of the project.
TEST THE VEHICLE'S LIMITS
Don't limit the vehicle to trouble-free journeys. Test its limits to validate its capabilities and maximize its profitability. Vehicles are more expensive and difficult to make profitable, so be creative.
INVOLVE EMPLOYEES QUICKLY
A change of this magnitude affects the daily lives of all employees. Inform them and involve them in the project to guarantee success. Their opinion is crucial, as they are the ones who will be working with the new technologies on a daily basis.
KEEP AN EYE ON THE REASONS FOR DOWNTIME
When implementing a new technology, it is essential to keep a close eye on the reasons for vehicle downtime. Dispatchers and mechanics play a crucial role in this transition. The additional constraints can be daunting for dispatchers, who have to plan routes and optimize vehicle use. Mechanics, meanwhile, may prefer to repair familiar diesel vehicles rather than tackle new and unfamiliar technologies. It's important to listen to their concerns and support them, offering training and resources to help them adapt to new requirements. By demonstrating vigilance and openness, you can facilitate this transition and maximize the effectiveness of your pilot project.
CONCLUSION
Once you've completed all these steps, you'll have a complete recipe for success for your pilot project. Even if all goes well, finish your project as planned. Continue to meet with the steering committee even during larger-scale deployment. Validating the issues and following them up allows you to benefit from the collective intelligence. Planning your company's future deserves a meeting every two weeks!
