E very planning engineer has felt it - the late-night scramble to update a rating sheet or reconcile two slightly different versions of the same system model. For small and mid-size utilities, where teams wear many hats, those moments add up fast. Many of these delays don’t come from the complexity of transmission systems, but from the everyday processes that support them. Ferro Power Solutions, a platform designed for smaller utilities, was built to help reduce some of those hidden inefficiencies by keeping data entry and validation in one place. But before looking at tools, it’s worth identifying what slows most planning workflows down - and how to fix them.
A common problem in cooperative utilities is the number of spreadsheets that describe the same thing. One file tracks facility ratings, another models contingencies, and a third estimates thermal limits. Each update requires manual copy-pasting and spot-checking formulas. Over time, mismatches appear and entire afternoons disappear to reconciliation.
How to fix it:
Combine related datasets into one controlled workbook or central data platform.
Keep a clear change log and assign ownership for edits.
Use validation scripts or built-in checks to flag inconsistencies early.
If your organization is using a system such as FPS, take advantage of its single-entry workflow so that every rating update propagates automatically.
It’s easy for different engineers to use different sources - manufacturer data, field inspection reports, or historical spreadsheets - all for the same transformer or line segment. When those sources disagree, the study grinds to a halt while everyone figures out which value is correct.
How to fix it:
Maintain one verified rating library that feeds every model.
Apply version control and data stewardship policies.
Audit key elements quarterly to align with field conditions.
Tools like FPS can help by linking model data to a single validated source, minimizing rework when new information arrives.
Even when data is accurate, many cooperatives lose time to informal review processes: engineers emailing annotated spreadsheets back and forth, supervisors manually checking results, and multiple iterations before approval. Each step adds days and uncertainty.
How to fix it:
Define validation rules within your workflow (for example, “flag loads over 90 % of rating”).
Use structured review assignments rather than ad-hoc email chains.
Track review durations and aim for consistent turnaround targets.
Embedding review steps in your workflow tool keeps checks visible and auditable without adding paperwork.
Load forecasting, contingency analysis, and regulatory reporting often live in different systems. Planners extract data manually, re-format it, and re-enter it elsewhere - a process prone to human error and delay. Integrating these steps can save significant time, especially for smaller teams.
How to fix it:
Use standardized data formats between forecasting, modeling, and reporting.
Automate imports where possible rather than relying on manual entry.
Keep reporting templates aligned with model outputs to reduce formatting work.
A central workflow platform - whether FPS or another solution - can help ensure consistent data flow without extra steps.
Assumptions drive every transmission plan: load growth, generation additions, weather scenarios, and maintenance schedules. When departments or consultants use slightly different assumptions, results can’t be compared and studies must be repeated.
How to fix it:
Establish a shared “assumptions document” or digital library before analysis begins.
Lock these values in the modeling environment so they can’t diverge mid-study.
Schedule an early stakeholder review to align on inputs before deep modeling work starts.
Systems like FPS can store and version these assumption sets to keep everyone aligned.
For smaller power utilities, the goal isn’t to revolutionize the planning process - it’s to make it predictable, auditable, and easier to manage with limited staff. Identifying and addressing these hidden time-wasters can free up hours each week that engineers can spend on higher-value work such as scenario analysis or project justification.
Ferro Power Solutions isn’t a silver bullet, but it was built with these specific challenges in mind. By consolidating data entry and validation into one workflow, it helps utilities cut back on repetitive steps and reduce the risk of mismatched data. For cooperatives and municipals where budgets are tight and staff is lean, even modest efficiency gains make a noticeable difference.
TL;DR: the less time your team spends maintaining spreadsheets and chasing version mismatches, the more time you have to plan the grid of the future - accurately, efficiently, and with confidence.
Christian Hargrave
Co-Founder and CTO at Ferro Power Solutions
Christian is a seasoned software developer with over a decade of hands-on experience across a wide range of technologies. His background spans modern web frameworks, backend architecture, and cloud platforms, giving him a deep understanding of how innovation shapes today’s digital landscape. In addition to development, Christian actively engages with the latest trends in technology and industry news, offering insights that bridge practical engineering with emerging tech movements.