Utility Management Certificate - Curriculum
Each day in the program has approximately seven hours of contact time. Reading assignments may be distributed in advance. Instructors may ask participants to complete readings or assignments during the evenings.
The Approach
This program utilizes readings, presentations, case studies, and an experiential exercise designed to engage the participants and deepen their learning. A thematic exercise used is the "business line integration project (BLIP)." Participants receive different views of the future of the energy industry. Using a time horizon of 15 years, the views will differ on elements such as: the regulatory environment; inflation and the price of energy, especially competing products; demographic changes in the customer base; and technological innovation. Placed in groups that cross their functional and business lines, participants receive a scenario to analyze. The assignment for each group is to answer two questions:
- How should a utility be organized to be successful in this environment?
- What do I need to know to answer the first question?
These inquiries guide the design and content of the Certificate program. Day 1 sets up Day 2; Days 1 and 2 set up Day 3; and so on. Each team will make a presentation on the last day of the program and submit a supporting memorandum two weeks later. Coaches will be available intermittently during the program to assist with techniques for problem solving and working in teams. The presentation and memorandum, classroom participation during each segment, an individual memorandum, and a test about the financial material, become the basis for assessing successful completion.
Tuition - $4850 includes:
- Books and Materials
- Breakfast and some lunches
- Evening Orientation, Meet and Greet on September 23
Day 1: Orientation. Utility History/Background, Strategy and the Final Assignment
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Day 1: Orientation. Utility History/Background, Strategy and the Final Assignment
The purpose of the morning sessions to establish the industry context for the program, to learn necessary background, and to create context for subsequent days. Participants will learn the terminology, the basic operating features of a utility, the impact of changes in the environment on Utility operations, and the completive structure of the industry.The afternoon session will introduce participants to developing strategy and writing a strategic plan. With insights into the industry, participants then learn about developing utility strategy, by exploring internal resources and capabilities against an external backdrop of regulation, economic factors, customer preferences, new technology and competitive forces. This session will provide a foundation for the final assignment that will be due at the end of Week 2.
Day 2,3 and 4: Understanding the Industry and How Raw Materials Get Turned into Value- Added Commodities. Capital markets and How They Relate to Utilities. Important Financial Tools for Utility Managers
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Day 2,3 and 4: Understanding the Industry and How Raw Materials Get Turned into Value- Added Commodities. Capital markets and How They Relate to Utilities. Important Financial Tools for Utility Managers
Once participants have a feel for the competitive forces in the industry, they will learn to understand the financial numbers that explain a utility's operations: cash flow statements, balance sheets, annual reports. They will also learn about the process and reasons for making capital budget requests. The purpose of these days is for participants to understand how a utility earns money and how to interpret typical financial reports. Participants will complete this session with a web-based assignment within three weeks of the segment.
Day 5: Project Management, Renewable Energy, Efficiency, Smart Grid and other new Technology
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Day 5: Project Management, Renewable Energy, Efficiency, Smart Grid and other new Technology
This first week will close with two segments. In the morning session,participants wail receive guidance and training on project management, which will be useful for managing complex projects in the workplace as well as completing the final assignment. In the afternoon, Willamette will host a guest speaker to address emerging topics in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, Smart Grid and other technology and policy issues.
Day 6 & 7 : Fundamentals of Rate Regulation, Rate Setting Regulation Exercise
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Day 6 & 7 : Fundamentals of Rate Regulation, Rate Setting Regulation Exercise
Participants begin Week 2 with an introduction to regulation and rate setting. They explore how utilities are regulated, whether by a state commission, a utility district board, or a municipality. They also learn the principles and impact of rate regulation on a utility. Participants cannot easily predict the impact of environmental forces on the company without taking into account the regulatory process, which differs across regulatory bodies but nonetheless pervades decisions about capital investments, services, operations, company infrastructure, and more. The two days involve a role-playing exercise. Based on information about a fictitious gas and electric utility, participants representing different stakeholder groups prepare presentations about a rate request before a mock rate-setting body.
Day 8: Stakeholder Relationships, Conflict Resolution, Executive Presentation Skills
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Day 8: Stakeholder Relationships, Conflict Resolution, Executive Presentation Skills
Expanding on the stakeholder model of management introduced in the mock rate regulation exercise, participants will be guided in exploring how a utility manages its relationships with it's internal and external stakeholders. The instructor will provide a case study and then help participants consider how stakeholder relationships are critical to successful implementation of utility strategy.
The day's segment will conclude with tips on executive presentation skills, aimed at helping participants make impactful presentations as company leaders. The training will help participants prepare their final assignment presentations which will be delivered on Day 10.
Day 9: Becoming a More Effective Leader
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Day 9: Becoming a More Effective Leader
Utility leaders need to be prepared to lead their organizations through future change. Therefore the focus on Day 9 is on ethical leadership, understanding your personal style, and leading through change.