EPRINET: Leveraging Knowledge in the Electric Utility Industry

This article describes the use of information technology to leverage knowledge—knowledge in the form of pioneering research and development work in the electric utility industry, managed by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). EPRI is the R&D consortium for the U.S. electric utility industry. In 1984, EPRI embarked on building EPRINET, a state-of-the-art electronic communication and delivery system. This effort coincided with EPRI expanding its mission to encompass not only management of R&D projects but also delivery of its information and expertise. This article describes the lessons that EPRI has learned about managing such a large systems effort while the organization is in the midst of making cultural changes.