Technical Consulting Services

Technical consulting is the practice of applying deep domain expertise to solve specific, high-stakes problems for clients — then leaving them more capable than before. In the energy and infrastructure space, this means translating engineering knowledge into business decisions, regulatory strategy, technology selection, and organizational change.

These notes document the methods, frameworks, engagement patterns, and hard-won lessons of technical advisory work.

---

Core Topics

Consulting Fundamentals

The consulting model: problem framing, hypothesis-driven analysis, structured communication, client relationships. McKinsey, BCG, and engineering consulting firm methods adapted for technical domains.

Problem Structuring

Issue trees, MECE decomposition, root cause analysis (5 Whys, fishbone), framing ambiguous problems into answerable questions.

Structured Communication

Pyramid Principle (Barbara Minto), executive memos, situation-complication-resolution (SCR), slide design for technical audiences, making recommendations under uncertainty.

Engagement Management

Scoping and SOW writing, deliverable planning, managing client expectations, stakeholder mapping, navigating politics in utility and government organizations.

Techno-Economic Analysis

Building business cases, NPV/IRR for infrastructure investments, sensitivity analysis, scenario modeling, communicating financial results to non-financial audiences.

$NPV={\sum }_{t=0}^T\frac{C_t}{(1+r{)}^t}$

Technology Assessment

Evaluating vendors and solutions, RFP development, technical due diligence, build-vs-buy analysis, reference architecture reviews.

Regulatory & Policy Advisory

Understanding utility regulation, rate cases, interconnection proceedings, FERC and state PUC processes. Translating technical positions into regulatory filings.

Subject Matter Expertise Areas

Bringing deep knowledge into engagements in:

• Distribution system planning and grid modernization
• DER integration and DERMS strategy
• ADMS selection and implementation
• Grid cybersecurity assessments
• AI and data strategy for utilities
• Agentic AI for engineering workflows

---

The Consulting Mindset

Three questions that drive every engagement:

1. What is the actual problem? (Not the stated problem — the real one.)
2. What would need to be true for the recommended solution to work?
3. What is the clearest way to communicate this to the person who needs to act?

---

Engagement Patterns

---

Connects To

• Electrical Engineering — technical credibility
• DSO — primary client domain
• Technical Product Management — product advisory
• Agentic AI — AI consulting practice
• MIT Sloan MBA — business and strategy frameworks