Extended UML modeling for risk management of utility information system integration

Cost-efficient and effective power system maintenance is dependent on timely access to accurate information about the status of equipment and work orders in planning, execution or in completed status. However, information systems at many utilities are not properly configured to support these requirements. Implementation and integration of new and existing systems often requires large effort involving many parts of the utility and still in many cases does not lead to desired gains in efficiency and effectiveness. This paper proposes a modeling approach using extensions to the unified modeling language (UML) that facilitate modeling of power system maintenance at utilities. The purpose of the approach is to enhance analysis of the information systems used in support of power system maintenance. The benefits of using UML have already been shown in the power industry by its use in creating the common information model (CIM). The benefits of using the proposed approach are that it better captures the inter-organizational challenges when implementing and integrating information system for maintenance of power systems thereby reducing the risk of failure.