{"id":1527892,"date":"2022-06-20T07:00:01","date_gmt":"2022-06-20T14:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=1527892"},"modified":"2025-07-22T16:30:54","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T23:30:54","slug":"utility-network-design-to-operations","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/utility-network\/electric-gas\/utility-network-design-to-operations","title":{"rendered":"Journey to the Utility Network: Design and Operations"},"author":304562,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":""},"categories":[25741],"tags":[565442,35461],"industry":[],"product":[36571,36561,515312],"class_list":["post-1527892","blog","type-blog","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-electric-gas","tag-arcgis-utility-network","tag-utility-network","product-arcgis-enterprise","product-arcgis-pro","product-utility-network"],"acf":{"short_description":"Learn how the Utility Network supports end to end lifecycles for features from Construction Design to Operations","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Introduction<\/h1>\n

The pace at which utility companies operate has change dramatically over the past 15 years, moving away from paper and striving for completely electronic workflow. One of the most important steps towards implementing electronic workflows at a utility is to implement Esri\u2019s ArcGIS Utility Network. GIS is at the core of many of these workflows and the utility network provides a platform that allows for the digital exchange of very complex datasets between major functional areas of a utility: Construction Design, Operations, Customer Care, and Planning.<\/p>\n

In this blog I will demonstrate how the ArcGIS Utility Network enables one of the most essential workflows to an electrical utility: the lifecycle and management of features all the way from the design process to the outage management system.\u00a0 The networks described in this solution is completely out of the box, using proposed features, trace configurations, and tie points to manage the construction management lifecycle.\u00a0 This means that any electric utility implementing the utility network, no matter how large or how small,\u00a0 can implement this workflow with little to no additional impact to the GIS.\u00a0 Assuming the OMS you are implementing has been certified as compatible with the Utility Network you can focus on working with your OMS vendor, or a business partner, to update your interfaces between the GIS and the OMS<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Workflow Overview<\/h1>\n

Individual workflows can vary for significantly for different types of construction.\u00a0 To simplify this discussion, the approach below focuses exclusively on the pieces of the workflow that interact with the GIS.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":1527902,"id":1527902,"title":"Construction Workflow","filename":"ConstructionWorkflow.png","filesize":23391,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionWorkflow.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/utility-network\/electric-gas\/utility-network-design-to-operations\/constructionworkflow","alt":"Design Construction Operations Maintenance","author":"304562","description":"Shows the flow of work from Design, Construction, Operations, and Maintenance","caption":"Construction Workflow","name":"constructionworkflow","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":1527892,"date":"2022-03-23 16:28:05","modified":"2022-03-24 23:39:20","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1725,"height":237,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionWorkflow-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionWorkflow.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":64,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionWorkflow.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":106,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionWorkflow.png","large-width":1725,"large-height":237,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionWorkflow-1536x211.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":211,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionWorkflow.png","2048x2048-width":1725,"2048x2048-height":237,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionWorkflow-826x113.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":113,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionWorkflow.png","wide_image-width":1725,"wide_image-height":237}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Design<\/h2>\n

A designer starts their design by importing the current state of the network for their area of interest from the GIS. The designer then uses the design tool to call out materials to be installed or retired that satisfy the requirements of their project. Once the job receives all its engineering and financial approvals the job is scheduled for construction. At this point, the details of the job are electronically transmitted from the design back into the GIS. Planned removal features continue to participate in the network until construction occurs and the features are retired or abandoned. New construction initially appears de-energized, but as features are energized in the field the GIS is updated to reflect the as-builts.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":1538882,"id":1538882,"title":"Construction Design","filename":"ConstructionDesign.png","filesize":51999,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionDesign.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/utility-network\/electric-gas\/utility-network-design-to-operations\/constructiondesign","alt":"new construction in the design tool shows a new transformer with an open elbow","author":"304562","description":"The design tool shows a proposal for a new underground loop.","caption":"The design tool shows a proposal for a new underground loop.","name":"constructiondesign","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":1527892,"date":"2022-03-30 16:48:40","modified":"2022-04-11 15:34:52","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1922,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionDesign-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionDesign.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionDesign.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionDesign.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":1079,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionDesign-1536x863.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":863,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionDesign.png","2048x2048-width":1922,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionDesign-826x465.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ConstructionDesign-1920x1079.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1079}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Operations<\/h2>\n

As proposed, de-energized features are added to the network the GIS the corresponding networks will be marked as dirty and\/or changed. Other systems can query the GIS for circuits that have changed recently, or have changed since the last time a circuit was extracted. This is a convenient way for customers with larger networks to perform incremental network extracts.<\/p>\n

Proposed features appear in a de-energized state in the OMS so dispatchers are aware of the proposed construction and can develop switch orders that will allow crews to safely energize the area as features are being constructed. As features are constructed, operations will coordinate switching orders with field crews to ensure the OMS reflects what is in the field. Once the GIS receives the as-builts for the work performed they make any material adjustments to the corresponding features. This will turn the features from being in a proposed, de-energized state to being in service and energized.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":1538872,"id":1538872,"title":"Operations Proposed Construction","filename":"Operations-1.png","filesize":61457,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Operations-1.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/utility-network\/electric-gas\/utility-network-design-to-operations\/operations-2","alt":"proposed features in the outage management system appear de-energized","author":"304562","description":"Proposed features in the Outage Management System appear de-energized.","caption":"Proposed features in the Outage Management System appear de-energized.","name":"operations-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":1527892,"date":"2022-03-30 16:48:11","modified":"2022-04-11 15:33:51","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Operations-1-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Operations-1.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Operations-1.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Operations-1.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Operations-1-1536x864.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Operations-1.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Operations-1-826x465.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Operations-1-1920x1080.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Proposed Features<\/h1>\n

Those of you who are already familiar with these workflows know the challenges associated with managing proposed construction in any system. Most software is designed to represent the current state of the world and simultaneously representing the current state and future state of a system requires custom solutions or complicated workflows. The utility network makes this process easier because the model comes pre-configured to respect fields like lifecycle status. The utility network is configured to represent the as-built state of the network and knows not to energize any proposed construction.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":1538862,"id":1538862,"title":"GIS Proposed Construction","filename":"ProposedGIS.png","filesize":62850,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ProposedGIS.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/utility-network\/electric-gas\/utility-network-design-to-operations\/proposedgis","alt":"proposed features represented in the GIS","author":"304562","description":"This image shows proposed features in the GIS. They are surrounded by a job polygon.","caption":"This image shows proposed features in the GIS. They are surrounded by a job polygon.","name":"proposedgis","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":1527892,"date":"2022-03-30 16:46:35","modified":"2022-04-11 15:33:14","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ProposedGIS-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ProposedGIS.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ProposedGIS.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ProposedGIS.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ProposedGIS-1536x864.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ProposedGIS.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ProposedGIS-826x465.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ProposedGIS-1920x1080.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Trace Configurations<\/h1>\n

The utility network also allows different\u00a0named trace configurations<\/a>\u00a0that allow users to analyze or model different network conditions. For the workflow we are describing here we will rely on three separate named trace configurations that use this lifecycle status field:<\/p>\n