INDUSTRY RESEARCH        


Digital modernization represents one of the most significant strategic challenges facing utilities and other asset-intensive industries.


Organizations must balance operational performance, cybersecurity, regulatory requirements, workforce considerations, lifecycle costs, and emerging technologies while maintaining safe and reliable operations.


qi Automation supports independent research initiatives designed to better understand how organizations govern, prioritize, and execute modernization decisions.



STRATEGIC RESEARCH DOMAINS            



DIGITAL MODERNIZATION GOVERNANCE


How organizations structure decision-making, governance models, and executive oversight for modernization initiatives.

MODERNIZATION SEQUENCING


How organizations prioritize and sequence modernization investments across multiple facilities, programs, and technology platforms.

LIFECYCLE VALUE ANALYTICS


How organizations evaluate business value, risk reduction, operational performance improvements, and long-term return on modernization investments.

CYBER-RESILIENT DIGITAL ARCHITECTURES


How cybersecurity requirements influence modernization planning, architecture decisions, and lifecycle strategies.

HUMAN-SYSTEM PERFORMANCE


How modernization initiatives affect operators, maintainers, engineering organizations, and workforce effectiveness.

BENCHMARKING AND INDUSTRY LEARNING


How organizations compare modernization strategies, governance practices, and implementation approaches to identify emerging industry patterns and lessons learned.

BENCHMARKING & RESEARCH METHODOLOGY


Research activities may include:

  • Executive interviews
  • Benchmarking studies
  • Industry surveys
  • Qualitative research
  • Governance analysis
  • Comparative case evaluation
  • Applied business research

PERSPECTIVES & INSIGHTS


Recent Topics

  • Governance Challenges in Digital Modernization
  • Cybersecurity Considerations for Legacy Control Systems
  • Modernization Sequencing Across Asset-Intensive Industries
  • Human-System Integration in Modernized Control Environments
  • Lifecycle Value Beyond Traditional ROI

RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY

All research activities are conducted with appropriate confidentiality protections and respect for participant information.