Working on a manufacturing client with 23 locations across 8 states, different utilities for each site. How do you manage workflow efficiency when you're dealing with multiple rate structures, billing cycles, and utility contacts? Feeling overwhelmed by the coordination required.
Workflow for multi-site industrial clients
Barbara, I create a matrix spreadsheet first - Site Name, Utility, Rate Schedule, Monthly kWh/kW ranges, Billing Cycle, Key Contacts. Helps prioritize which sites to audit first based on potential savings. Usually start with the highest usage locations.
Good approach Noel. I also batch similar utilities together - do all the Duke Energy sites at once, then all the ComEd sites, etc. Keeps you in the right "mindset" for each utility's quirks and billing practices. Less mental switching between different rate structures.
Randy's point about milestones is crucial. Also recommend creating standardized templates for each utility you encounter. I have Duke Energy, Georgia Power, and Xcel Energy templates that speed up my analysis significantly once I've done a few sites with each utility.
One more tip - set up a shared folder with the client where they can upload bills from all sites. Let them do the grunt work of bill collection while you focus on analysis. Just make sure to specify the format and date ranges you need upfront.
For large multi-site projects, I always negotiate milestone payments upfront - like 25% after completing site survey, 50% after preliminary findings, 25% after final reports. Helps with cash flow and keeps the client engaged throughout the process.