Forecasting the Future of Grid Materials: A Project Management Playbook for Collaborative, Standardized, and Prioritized Demand Planning

When Hurricane Fiona struck Puerto Rico in September 2022, the restoration effort required more than mobilizing field resources; it also depended on precise, time‐sensitive material forecasting conducted under significant operational and logistical pressure. Critical components such as power transformers, reclosers, poles, and structural hardware had long manufacturing lead times and were available in limited on‐island quantities. Crews were deployed across challenging, geographically dispersed terrain, and the transmission and distribution network urgently needed rapid condition assessment, prioritization, and sequencing to stabilize system performance. Supporting this environment hinged on aligning material demand signals with procurement cycles and deployment logistics to keep restoration activities moving without interruption.