KTI’s functional assessment employs research, on site interviews, and cross-functional workshops to define the strengths and weaknesses of the existing technology relative to local business strategy. Using best practices and industry knowledge, KTI will recommend approaches that result in a strengthening of the technology plan to better support the local business strategy.

The financial assessment uses recent market-based pricing of the chosen technology to provide a close approximation of the acquisition costs. KTI estimates ownership costs and benefits through on-site workshops, interviews, research and KTI’s deep experience with community-owned utilities. The business case provides common financial metrics like forecasted cashflow, ROI, and payback.

The output of KTI’s planning services commonly includes presentation documentation, reports, and assistance with presenting the information to boards and government bodies. KTI also provides updates to the planning document at various stages including post-RFP and post-deployment.

The acquisition process starts with on-site visits with leadership and the acquisition team. The acquisition team visit kicks off a method for broad communication across functional departments and helps drive cross functional input for the needs and expectations. More detailed interview sessions are then conducted with individuals or small groups from each department or function.

With data collected from the on-site visits, KTI puts together draft documents including specifications, use cases, and commercial documents. KTI assists in identifying the list of RFP invitees, and KTI can take the lead in managing the solicitation process including sending out the RFP, managing key dates, managing reminders, and managing any questions and answers.

Upon proposal submission, KTI analyzes the proposals for commercial and technical comparisons and compliance. KTI builds a compliance matrix using pivot tables to allow easy quantitative analysis as well as qualitative comparisons by using drill downs within the pivot tables. KTI leads the question and answer process including coordinating and conducting short list meetings and reference visit meetings. All data from proposal analysis, short list meetings, and references visits are then used to build out the cross functional decision-making tool. Final decisions or recommendations typically come from the acquisition team and are supported with data-based documentation to support the decision. Once approval is received to proceed from the appropriate authority(s), KTI helps with contract negotiations.

KTI assists system verification testing including selection, testing criteria, data analysis, and vendor coordination. Then, KTI transitions to project management services to facilitate timely communications, on-time schedules and budget compliance. KTI’s project manager works closely to coordinate between the utility project lead and the vendors’ and contractors’ project management teams. KTI coordinates hardware, software, IT infrastructure, integration services, installation services, testing and training.

KTI designs an employee training program covering the integration of the new technology with business process changes.