How might we create a unified knowledge sharing platform that aids operational decision making?
Challenge
The water sector generates and holds vast operational knowledge across disconnected tools and initiatives – many of which operate in silos. As a result, critical field insights are fragmented, impairing field colleagues’ ability to act effectively and safely to provide the most appropriate interventions. Efforts like Vyntelligence (video-based H&S), WISDOM (AI-driven tool for wastewater operations), internal lessons-learned programs and past innovation bids contribute valuable knowledge but lack integration.
To overcome this, a new, integrated knowledge-sharing platform is proposed to consolidate existing data sources, enabling better-informed decisions, effective application of insights and improved operational performance. Empower teams with the right knowledge, context, and confidence to deliver exceptional outcomes. High-performance starts with shared understanding:
- Clear Line of Sight: Link field activities to business goals & project impact ensuring every team member understands the why, not just the what.
- Accessible Intelligence: Provide teams with real-time data visibility and actionable insights so they can make informed, confident decisions on the ground.
- Cross-Functional Awareness: Foster collaboration across teams and roles to break silos and drive smarter, faster results.
- Feedback as Fuel: Establish a feedback-driven, continuously improving ecosystem and embed agile, learning-oriented processes
What will we do?
Northumbrian Water Limited (NWL) aims to become an “organisation with memory” by developing a practical, data-driven knowledge-sharing platform that enables real-time field decision-making. This will be achieved through collaborative, cross-functional hackathon teams working with real data to solve real problems.
For technical individuals
- Build a powerful tool using NWG’s real-world data (manuals, fault logs, images, etc.).
- Integrate with existing platforms like WISDOM and Vyntelligence.
- Deliver contextualised intelligence to field teams (weather, location, user skill).
- Ensure access via various devices, including tablets and AR-enabled helmets.
For non-technical individuals
- Contribute to creating a centralised, scalable knowledge-sharing platform design that connects sector-wide insights
- Work with technical teams to enhance, refine and implement effective solutions
- Map existing tools, identify gaps and propose improvements
- Unify insights from WISDOM, Vyntelligence and CAPEX lessons into a dynamic platform
- Define critical data needs for field operations, including wearables, field training, and future innovations
- Ensure knowledge is available on-demand knowledge through various devices supporting safer and faster decisions
- Help develop a practical rollout plan focused on usability and impact for field teams
To design a scalable, user-friendly solution that consolidates insights, supports operational excellence, and drives safety, efficiency, and innovation across NWL and the wider utilities sector.
How we will do it
During the sprint
- NWL experts will present current tools and challenges.
- Technical teams will use real NWL data to develop practical solutions, showcasing how technologies like Vyntelligence, WISDOM, and Generative AI can be integrated.
- Non-technical teams will identify process and system gaps, contributing to the design of a unified, user-friendly knowledge-sharing platform.
Target Outcomes
- Deliver working demos that showcase components of the platform with real organisational value.
- Develop a user-friendly solution that unifies existing tools (e.g., Vyntelligence, WISDOM) into one cohesive platform.Integrated solution combining existing initiatives into an easy-to-use tool / platform.
- Demonstrate how Generative AI can improve knowledge sharing and enhance decision-making in the field.
- Create a comprehensive implementation plan detailing tools, integrations, and steps for sector-wide rollout.
- Identify current limitations and provide actionable recommendations for improvement.
- Design a structured plan to support wearable tech, training initiatives, and AI-powered tools.
- Establish a plan to secure buy-in, support, and resources needed to scale and sustain the solution.
This sprint will provide a clear, actionable plan for implementing a scalable, integrated knowledge-sharing solution leveraging existing tools like Vyntelligence, WISDOM, and internal learnings to drive innovation, safety, and efficiency across NWL operations, the water sector and other utilities.
Who will benefit from this sprint?
- Health and safety professionals
- Fieldwork and operations managers
- Innovation and digital transformation teams
- Training and development officers
- AI, data integration and knowledge management specialists
