Edition 068 · work · Seo; Minsuk; Eisenberg; Daniel A; Huang; Jefferson
Outsourced asset maintenance is a broken pipe for utilities
Utilities are drowning in data, yet their infrastructure crumbles. The promise of data-driven maintenance remains a trickle, not a flood.
FO Take · Score 25
The U.S. Virgin Islands case exposes a universal truth: relying on external consultants for critical infrastructure maintenance modelling is a fool's errand. Their "data-sparse environment" is code for a skills deficit. Public utilities must build internal data science capabilities, or face systemic collapse. Why are we still outsourcing core public services?
The strongest counter
The USVI example highlights the value of external expertise for resource-limited utilities. Specialised firms offer cost-effective solutions and bridge knowledge gaps, ensuring infrastructure integrity where in-house capabilities are lacking.
