Advising Services to Major Hydro and Dam Clients Lead to Successful Project Execution

Nimble Minds Consulting provided comprehensive advisory services to hydroelectric and dam clients in the western U.S., ensuring successful project execution across a portfolio of aging assets. By delivering strategic project management support, we helped our clients meet compliance and spending targets while minimizing risks.​

Background | Managing Aging Hydroelectric and Dam Assets

Several major hydroelectric and dam operators in the western U.S. manage large portfolios of aging assets that are critical to their clean energy production. As these assets near or exceed their service life, the complexity of rehabilitating dams and upgrading spillways has led to the emergence of significant projects requiring advanced project management expertise.

The Challenge | Ensuring On-Schedule Project Execution

The clients sought specialized advisory services, including coaching for their existing staff, to ensure that their major projects were executed on schedule while minimizing risks related to compliance and spending targets.

The Solution | Comprehensive Advisory and Project Management Support

We provided end-to-end advisory services on over $900 million worth of high-profile projects. Our approach included:​

• Front-End Planning and Cost Estimation: Provided strategic guidance during the early stages of project planning, including overall cost estimating and economic justification.
• Contracting and Decision-Making Support: Offered support throughout the project, from developing contract specifications and bid reviews to contract management and strategic decision-making.
• Risk Management: Developed tools for tracking and monitoring risks, implementing earned value management, and integrating these with overall cost forecasting models.
• Team Coaching: Provided coaching to the client’s project teams to enhance their skills in project management, stakeholder management, and risk management.
• Comprehensive Support: Managed various other aspects of project execution, including construction management and continuous improvement processes.

The Results | Enhanced Project Outcomes and Client Satisfaction

Our proactive and tailored approach resulted in exceptional outcomes for the clients:

• Improved Project Execution: By encouraging critical thinking and empowering teams, we significantly enhanced project outcomes, ensuring projects stayed on schedule and within budget.
• Effective Stakeholder Management: Through comprehensive stakeholder management, we facilitated clear communication and alignment, ensuring all parties were engaged and informed throughout the project lifecycle.
• Minimized Risks: Our expertise in identifying potential challenges early and devising strategic solutions minimized project risks and ensured smooth execution.
• Continuous Improvement: Our commitment to innovation and best practices provided clients with a competitive edge, consistently exceeding their expectations and delivering measurable results.
• Strong Client Relationships: Our long-standing partnerships with clients have allowed us to build deep, trust-based relationships, enabling us to offer highly tailored and effective advice.