Resource Planning Solution (RAIVS)
http://www.project.eu.com/case-study/resource-planning-solution-raivs/
Published on: December 2, 2020 // Printed on: September 21, 2023

A resource management tool was required to identify resource shortages to allow the company to identify where investment into additional resources was required.
In addition the resource management tool was required to identify resource shortages to allow the company to identify where investment into additional resources was required.
Project designed and developed a solution (RAIVS) that gave Network Rail a breakdown of possessions, timings, and track outages; as well as assigning people and equipment to avoid clashes and conflicts. Thus ensuring resource usage is maximised.
RAIVS used Oracle data access components for Windows to integrate with Microsoft Power BI for the dashboard and visualisations. The solution also used Oracle Apex to capture and manage data through forms which were output into a data warehouse scheme.
An agile approach of six sprints was adopted, and these included interactive workshops with up to 12 planners participating at any one session so that development was quick, targeted and effective. The team also developed an interactive user guide for end user assistance to help ensure adoption and up-take, supplemented with training sessions for key users and Train the Trainers workshops.
As a business, Network Rail needed to know when the track would be out of use so that timetabling could be adjusted; and with a finite level of resources it needed to make sure equipment and skills were being utilised effectively and in the right place at the right time.
This meant that Network Rail wanted to move away from independent spreadsheets and create a resource and access intelligent visualisation system for their key planners.