Meter Device Management (MX01US02)

Meter Lifecycle Management User Story Document

1. Problem Statement

Meter Supervisor/Device Manager

Manual tracking of meter assets leads to inconsistent and incomplete records
Difficulty monitoring meter performance and identifying issues before they escalate
Lack of visibility into meter history makes maintenance planning reactive rather than proactive
Challenge coordinating meter replacements and work orders efficiently
Limited tools for tracking technical specifications and maintenance history
Inefficient inventory management of available and deployed meters
No centralized system for tracking meter consumer allocation history

Core Problem: The utility lacks a centralized, comprehensive meter lifecycle management system that tracks devices from installation through maintenance to replacement, resulting in operational inefficiencies, increased costs, and potential service disruptions.

2. Who Are the Users Facing the Problem?

Meter Supervisor/Device Manager: Responsible for managing the utility's meter inventory, specifications, and lifecycle. Oversees meter testing, calibration, and certification processes. Manages meter inventory, replacement programs, and asset maintenance. Ensures regulatory compliance for meter accuracy and performance.

Users who should have access to this feature: The Meter Supervisor/Device Manager role is the primary user, with system administrators having oversight access for configuration and support.

3. Jobs To Be Done

For Meter Supervisor: When I need to track the entire meter inventory in our system, But I lack visibility into meter statuses, locations, and technical specifications, Help me access a centralized inventory management system with detailed meter data, So that I can make informed decisions about procurement, maintenance, and replacement.

For Meter Supervisor: When I need to plan meter replacements, But I don't have clear data on meter age, performance history, and maintenance records, Help me view comprehensive lifecycle data for each meter, So that I can prioritize replacements and optimize asset management.

For Meter Supervisor: When I need to create service orders for meter maintenance, But I struggle with tracking work order status and completion, Help me manage the full work order lifecycle with status updates and documentation, So that I can ensure timely completion of critical maintenance activities.

For Meter Supervisor: When I need to manage meter allocation to consumers, But I struggle with maintaining accurate records of historical assignments and transfers, Help me access a complete allocation history with timestamps and customer details, So that I can ensure accurate billing and resolve customer inquiries.

For Meter Supervisor: When I need to maintain technical compliance of our meter assets, But I lack organized documentation of specifications and certifications, Help me store and retrieve detailed technical data for each meter type, So that I can demonstrate regulatory compliance and make informed procurement decisions.

4. Solution

The Meter Lifecycle Management solution provides a comprehensive platform for tracking, managing, and optimizing utility meters throughout their lifecycle. The solution addresses the identified pain points through these key capabilities:

Meter Inventory Management

Centralized Meter Registry: All meters tracked in a central database with unique identifiers and searchable attributes
Status Tracking: Visual indicators for active, maintenance, retired, and unassigned meters
Batch Operations: Ability to add and manage meters in bulk for efficiency

Individual Meter Tracking

Detailed Meter Profiles: Comprehensive information page for each meter showing specifications, history, and current status
Technical Specifications Library: Detailed technical information including certifications, accuracy class, and physical characteristics
Meter Type Classification: Clear categorization by meter type (manual, photo, smart) with specific attributes for each

Consumer and Location Management

Premise Allocation: Track where meters are physically installed with address and geolocation data
Consumer History: Historical record of all consumers assigned to a particular meter
Allocation Tracking: Clear visibility of meter reassignments and transfers between premises or consumers

Work Order Management

Service Order Creation: Ability to create and track different types of meter-related work orders
Maintenance Scheduling: Plan and schedule regular maintenance activities
Service History: Track all activities performed on meters from installation through replacement

Consumer Usage Tracking

Consumption History: Basic log of consumption data for reference
Historical Data Access: Ability to access past consumption for context
Consumer History: Track previous customers associated with each meter

Maintenance and Lifecycle Tracking

Maintenance Records: Document all maintenance activities performed on each meter
Lifecycle Events: Track key events like installation, calibration, and service activities
Alert Management: Automated alerts for meters requiring attention based on age, readings, or maintenance schedule

Reporting and Analytics

Meter Performance Metrics: Track key statistics like days in service and reading quality
Consumption Reporting: Analyze consumption patterns and trends
Export Capabilities: Extract data for further analysis and reporting

5. Major Steps Involved

For Meter Supervisor

Access Meter Inventory
- Navigate to the "Meters" section from the main navigation
- View summary metrics of total meters, assigned meters, unassigned meters, under maintenance, and retired meters
- Filter meters by type (Manual, Photo, Smart) using the toggle filters
- Search for specific meters using the search bar
Add New Meters
- Click "Add Meter" button from the meters list view
- Meter Status (Physical, Assignment, Reading)
- Enter Device Number, Utility Service, Meter Type, Category, and Sub-Category
- Specify installation location details including Premise, Floor, Location
- Add geolocation data (Latitude/Longitude) if available
- Set Installation Date
- Assign to Consumer (optional at this stage)
- Record First Reading if applicable
- Enter Manufacturer Details
- Click "Add Meter" to save or "Add & Next" to continue adding meters
View Meter Details
- Click on a meter from the list to access its detailed profile
- Review Key Stats (Days in service, Installation date, Alerts, Last maintenance)
- Check Technical Specifications (Basic Info and Technical tabs)
- View Consumer allocation history and premise details
- Monitor reading history and consumption patterns
- Review maintenance and work order history
- Access activity log showing all actions performed on the meter
Manage Meter Lifecycle
- Identify meters requiring service based on alerts or age
- Click "Service Order" to create maintenance, calibration, or replacement work orders
- Specify Service Type, Replacement Meter (if applicable), Schedule Date, and Reason
- Track work order status and completion through the Work tab
- Update meter status appropriately (Active, Maintenance, Retired)

Additional Meter Supervisor Steps

Review Consumer Allocation History
- Access the "Allocation" tab for specific meters
- View current and historical consumer assignments
- Check consumer details including account numbers and contact information
- Track premise history and location details for the meter
Access Technical Documentation
- Navigate to the "Details" tab for technical specifications
- Review certification status and compliance information
- Check physical specifications for replacement planning
- Verify manufacturer details and model information for procurement
Monitor Meter Status Changes
- Track meter status transitions through the lifecycle
- Document reason codes for status changes
- Maintain history of all status modifications
- Generate reports on meter status distribution across inventory

6. Flow Diagram

7. Business Rules

General Meter Management Rules

Each meter must have a unique identifier in the system
Meters must always have one of the following statuses: Active, Maintenance, Inactive, Retired
A meter can only be assigned to one consumer and one premise at a time
Historical consumer and premise allocations must be preserved when a meter is reassigned
Meter installation date must be recorded and cannot be after the current date
Meters cannot be permanently deleted from the system, only marked as retired or disposed
All changes to meter data must be logged with timestamp and user information
Alert thresholds for meter age and maintenance schedules must be configurable by administrators
Meter type (Manual, Photo, Smart) must be specified and cannot be changed after creation
Technical specifications must be recorded for each meter including accuracy class and certification details

Meter Data Management Rules

Technical specifications must be standardized by meter type and manufacturer
Historical installation and maintenance data must be preserved for the life of the meter
Meter status changes must be documented with reason codes and timestamps
Photographic evidence should be stored for physical meters when available
Meter records must include certification information and expiration dates
Technical specifications cannot be modified after initial entry without management approval
Manufacturer and model information must be selected from pre-approved lists
Unique serial numbers must be validated at entry to prevent duplication
Installation dates must be recorded accurately and cannot be after the current date
Meter location data must follow standardized format and include option for GPS coordinates

Work Order Rules

All physical changes to a meter require a corresponding work order
Work orders must include service type, scheduled date, and reason
Work orders must have one of the following statuses: Pending, In Progress, Completed, Cancelled
Completed work orders must include completion date and technician information
Replacement meters must be selected from available inventory before work order creation
Meter status must be updated automatically based on work order completion
Calibration work orders must record pre and post calibration readings
Maintenance records must be associated directly with the meter they apply to
Work order history must be preserved for the life of the meter
Standard service types must be predefined in the system (Maintenance, Calibration, Replacement, Investigation)

Consumer and Premise Rules

A premise can have multiple meters but each meter can only be at one premise
Consumer reassignment must preserve the historical consumption data for billing purposes
When a meter is reassigned, a final reading must be recorded for the previous consumer
Premise location data should include standardized address format plus optional geolocation
Meter routes and reading cycles must be consistent with geographical organization
Any change to consumer assignment must be documented with reason and authorization
Consumer information must include account number and contact details
Commercial/residential classification must be maintained for each consumer

Error Handling Rules

Validation failures must provide clear error messages indicating the specific issue
Critical operations (disposal, reassignment) require confirmation before proceeding
Duplicate meter numbers must be prevented at the time of entry
Date inconsistencies (maintenance date before installation) must be flagged
Invalid meter status transitions must be prevented (e.g., cannot go from Retired to Active)
Technical specification inconsistencies must be flagged during data entry
Work orders cannot be completed without all required fields
Alert notifications must be persistent until acknowledged by an authorized user
Meters with active alerts cannot be disposed without explicit override authorization
System must prevent creation of work orders for already retired meters

8. Sample Data

Meter Data

Serial: WM-23456
Type: PHOTO
Status: ACTIVE
Location: 456 Oak Ave, Somewhere
Installed: 2022-05-22
Read Type: Photo Meter
Consumer: Sarah Johnson
Route: S05-DMA01-V-MANASE-B1
Read Cycle: R06-DMA01-V-LEPA

Technical Specifications

Manufacturer: HydroTech
Model: PhotoRead 200
Material: Composite
Connection Size: 3/4 inch
Dimensions: 180 × 110 × 160 mm
Weight: 0.9 kg
Dial Length: 95mm
Dial Count: 6
Max Flow Rate: 15 m³/h
Accuracy: Class C (±1%)
IP Rating: IP67
Certifications: ISO 4064, OIML R49

Consumer Allocation

Current Consumer:
Name: John Smith
Account: AccNo1
Period: 2023-05-15 - Present
Contact: +1 555-123-4567
Email: john.smith@example.com
Type: Non-Domestic / Commercial
Address: 123 Main St, Anytown

Previous Consumer:
Name: Maria Rodriguez
Account: AccNo2
Period: 2022-01-10 - 2023-05-14
Contact: +1 555-987-6543
Email: maria.rodriguez@example.com
Type: Domestic / Residential
Address: 123 Main St, Anytown

Reading History

Date: 2025-03-25
Month: January
Reading: 34 m³
Status: NORMAL
Reader: MX
Validator: kaushal

Date: 2025-02-25
Month: December
Reading: 32.5 m³
Status: NORMAL
Reader: MX
Validator: kaushal

Date: 2025-01-25
Month: November
Reading: 30.2 m³
Status: NORMAL
Reader: MX
Validator: kaushal

Service History

Type: READING
Date: 2025-03-25
Description: Manual reading recorded: 34
By: kaushal

Type: MAINTENANCE
Date: 2024-12-10
Description: Completed maintenance check
By: John Smith

Type: INSTALLATION
Date: 2022-05-22
Description: Initial installation
By: Mike Johnson

Work Orders

Type: MAINTENANCE
Description: Regular maintenance check
Assigned To: John Smith
Status: COMPLETED
Date: 2024-12-10

Type: CALIBRATION
Description: Annual calibration
Assigned To: Mike Johnson
Status: PENDING
Date: 2025-04-15

9. Acceptance Criteria

The system must display a dashboard showing counts of meters by status (Active, Maintenance, Retired, Unassigned)
The system must allow filtering of meters by type (Manual, Photo, Smart) with accurate counts
The system must provide a search function to find meters by serial number, consumer name, or location
The system must display a detailed view of individual meters with tabs for different information categories
The system must track and display meter technical specifications including manufacturer, model, and physical characteristics
The system must maintain and display complete consumer allocation history for each meter
The system must allow users to create service orders with specific types, dates, and reasons
The system must track meter reading history with validation status and validator information
The system must display consumption history in both tabular and graphical formats
The system must maintain a complete activity log of all actions performed on a meter
The system must allow users to add and view notes associated with each meter
The system must support work order tracking with status updates and completion records
The system must allow reassignment of meters to different consumers with historical tracking
The system must track alert conditions and display the count of active alerts per meter
The system must support bulk addition of meters through the "Bulk Add Meters" function
The system must allow editing of meter information while maintaining change history
The system must display key statistics including days in service, installation date, and maintenance history
The system must provide export functionality for meter data and consumption history
The system must prevent invalid state transitions (e.g., from Retired to Active) with appropriate error messages
The system must require reason documentation for key actions such as meter disposal or status changes

10. Process Changes

Current Process	New Process	Impact Analysis
Manual tracking of meter inventory in spreadsheets or disconnected systems	Centralized inventory management with real-time status tracking	Reduces inventory reconciliation time by 80% and improves accuracy of meter counts
Paper-based or verbal work order creation for meter service	Digital work order creation with structured data fields and status tracking	Reduces work order processing time by 60% and eliminates lost or incomplete work orders
Limited visibility into meter history and maintenance records	Complete digital lifecycle record from installation through retirement	Enables data-driven maintenance scheduling and reduces unnecessary replacements by 25%
Manual association of meters to consumers and premises	Digital allocation tracking with complete history preservation	Reduces billing errors related to incorrect meter association by 90%
Isolated reading validation without historical context	Contextual validation with historical consumption patterns and meter specifications	Improves reading accuracy by 40% and reduces estimated readings by 30%
Reactive approach to meter maintenance based on failures	Proactive maintenance scheduling based on age, usage, and performance metrics	Extends average meter lifespan by 15% and reduces emergency replacements by 40%
Limited meter performance analysis capabilities	Comprehensive analytics on meter types, ages, and failure patterns	Enables data-driven procurement decisions, reducing inventory costs by 20%
Disconnected processes between field operations and office administration	Integrated workflow from work order creation through completion and billing	Reduces cross-departmental communication errors by 70% and improves service delivery

11. Impact from Solving This Problem

Metric	Impact
Meter Management Efficiency	75% reduction in time spent tracking and managing meter inventory
Meter Lifespan	15-20% increase in average meter lifespan through optimized maintenance scheduling
Reading Accuracy	40% reduction in reading errors and disputed bills
Field Service Productivity	30% increase in completed service orders per technician per day
Inventory Costs	20% reduction in inventory carrying costs through improved visibility and planning
Emergency Replacements	40% reduction in emergency meter replacements
Data Quality	95% improvement in meter data completeness and accuracy
Regulatory Compliance	100% audit trail for all meter-related activities
Consumer Satisfaction	25% reduction in billing disputes related to meter issues
Revenue Protection	15% improvement in identifying potential meter tampering or malfunction

12. User Behavior Tracking

Meter Supervisor Tracking

Metric	Events	Properties
Inventory Management Efficiency	Meter addition, status updates, bulk operations	Time to complete, number of meters processed, error rate
Meter Replacement Decision Making	Meter replacement order creation	Age of meter, reason for replacement, time since last maintenance
Alert Response	Alert view, alert resolution	Alert type, time to resolution, resolution action
Inventory Planning	Inventory view, filter usage	Filter criteria, search terms, export actions

Questions Answered:

How efficiently are meters being added and managed? What is the quality of data entry?
Are meters being replaced based on optimal criteria? What factors trigger most replacements?
How quickly are meter alerts addressed? What types of alerts are most common?
How are supervisors analyzing the meter inventory? What metrics are most important for decision making?

Technical Management Tracking

Metric	Events	Properties
Technical Specification Access	Specification views, documentation access	Meter type, specification category, search patterns
Certification Management	Certification checks, expiration monitoring	Certification type, expiration proximity, renewal actions
Documentation Completeness	Document uploads, specification updates	Completion rate, missing fields, documentation types
Technical Issue Resolution	Technical issue logging, resolution actions	Issue type, resolution time, escalation frequency

Questions Answered:

Which technical specifications are most frequently referenced? What documentation gaps exist?
How effectively are certification renewals being managed before expiration?
What is the completeness level of technical documentation across meter types?
What technical issues occur most frequently and how quickly are they resolved?