Weathering the Storm: Continuous Improvement and Lessons Learned Ahead of Tropical Storm Francine
11th September 2024
As we prepare for Tropical Storm Francine to make landfall, it’s a perfect opportunity to talk about the power of continuous improvement. With memories of Hurricane Beryl still fresh—when over 2.2 million Houstonians lost power during a heatwave in July—this upcoming storm feels like our first big test since then.
But storms, much like business challenges, aren’t just about getting through the immediate crisis—they’re about learning, growing, and becoming better for the next time. It’s all about continuous improvement, a concept that any company serious about ISO 55000 and asset management will know well. This standard emphasizes assessing risks, making data-driven decisions, and focusing on long-term sustainability rather than just short-term fixes. So, let’s break down how we can take the lessons from Beryl and move forward with a smile—and maybe an umbrella!
Lessons from Beryl: A (Hurricane) Wake-Up Call
Hurricane Beryl knocked out power for over a week, a situation nobody wants to repeat. Residents sweltered in the heat, and in some cases, tragedy struck. It was a painful reminder of how critical resilient infrastructure is, especially for the elderly and vulnerable communities. Since then, we’ve heard a lot about new power poles, equipment upgrades, and tree trimming to minimize the impact of outages. Good start? Absolutely. But what’s next?
From Crisis Mode to Continuous Improvement
The key to real change is taking those first steps and turning them into a marathon of continuous improvement. Just as in asset management, where we assess and re-assess our systems for future resilience, we must do the same after each major storm. The path to improvement can be summarized by these points:
- Incremental vs. Breakthrough Improvements: Sometimes change happens gradually (like trimming those 2,000 miles of power lines), and sometimes it happens all at once (like, well, a hurricane). ISO 55000 reminds us that both kinds of improvements are essential. Yes, we need to work on those smaller, everyday upgrades—but let’s not forget to invest in game-changing solutions that could prevent the next Beryl-sized outage altogether.
- Learning from Experience: Every storm, big or small, offers valuable data. Whether it’s tracking how our assets held up during Beryl or how well the response teams managed outages, we need to continuously evaluate our performance. This applies to more than just physical assets—our processes and people need improvement, too. When was the last time we checked in with frontline workers about their challenges? Let’s not leave lessons unlearned!
- Listening to Frontline Wisdom: Speaking of the people on the ground, they are our most valuable asset. During the Beryl response, there were numerous posts from frontline workers highlighting frustrations with how decisions were made. Continuous improvement isn’t just about upgrading infrastructure—it’s also about empowering those who know the work best. Listening to their insights could be the difference between success and failure next time.
A Call to Action: Let’s Prepare Together
As Francine approaches, we have the benefit of hindsight. We know what didn’t work during Beryl. Now, the question is, will we act on it? Continuous improvement doesn’t happen in isolation; it requires collaboration, commitment, and yes, a bit of humility. Let’s empower our teams, involve the community, and take a proactive stance. Waiting until after the storm to figure out what went wrong? That’s the old way. The new way is being ready before the storm even hits.
The real test is ahead, not just for our infrastructure but for our commitment to change. Will we learn from the past and improve? Or will we, once again, pay the price of regret?
So, grab your emergency kits, charge those backup batteries, and remember: continuous improvement is a journey. The weather may be unpredictable, but with the right mindset, we can weather any storm that comes our way.
Need Help with Asset Management? We’re Here for You.
If you’re looking to strengthen your asset management program or ensure that your infrastructure is resilient in the face of future storms, we can help. At Woodhouse, we specialize in developing asset management strategies based on ISO 55000 standards, helping organizations make smart, sustainable decisions about their assets. From risk assessments to lifecycle planning, we can guide you toward continuous improvement that’s built to last.
Reach out today to learn more about how we can support your organization in preparing for whatever challenges come next. Together, we can make sure that you’re not just ready for the next storm—you’re ready for the future.
Stay safe, stay resilient, and let’s continue improving together!
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We all work in the area of probabilities and actuarial risk so while all consultancy analysis, training services and information provided within our published material are provided in good faith, no responsibility either express or implied can be taken by The Woodhouse Partnership Ltd for conclusion or actions made by the Client or any other party as a result of our advice or opinion.
