Siloed tech holds utilities back. How can you harmonize your teams to fuel innovation?
Start bridging the gaps between your information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) to achieve cultural alignment, robust governance, and a lasting competitive edge in power and utilities.
Key takeaways
- IT/OT harmonization for power and utilities companies goes beyond technical integration, emphasizing cultural alignment and unified governance.
- Harmonization unlocks efficiencies and innovation, but successful execution requires leadership support and cross-disciplinary workforce upskilling.
- Clear roles, robust operating models, and strong governance are key to achieving resilient, future-ready harmonization.
Breaking down the silos between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) is essential to unlocking digital transformation for power and utilities companies.
But merely pursuing IT/OT convergence as the main goal underestimates the complexities of aligning two distinct yet interdependent technology ecosystems. True transformation demands mindset shifts, new ways of working, and a commitment to ongoing collaboration.
It’s time to embrace IT/OT harmonization.
What’s the difference? While convergence aims for technical integration (merging systems and processes), harmonization prioritizes collaboration and cultural alignment, allowing IT and OT to retain distinct roles while working towards shared goals.
Harmonization means:
- Fostering cultural alignment between IT and OT teams;
- Creating a unified governance model; and
- Enabling adaptability and resilience for future challenges.
Why is harmonization our goal?
IT/OT harmonization intentionally integrates both domains, combining their strengths to deliver seamless, business-aligned technology services.
By strategically harmonizing IT and OT and creating a single governance model, you can unlock new efficiencies, strengthen core operations, and position your business for long-term competitive advantage by enabling data- and AI-driven innovation.
Successful IT/OT harmonization requires buy-in from leadership as well as teams. Both must embrace change and pursue upskilling and cross-skilling to foster mutual understanding across distinct yet complementary cultures and ways of working.
The traditional lines between IT and OT skills are becoming blurred in many industries. Deloitte’s 2025 Power and Utilities Industry Outlook reflects this shift. Many power and utilities companies now require employees to upskill through integrated workforce development programs that combine specialized technical training—such as DER integration, cybersecurity, and data analytics—with hands-on operational expertise.
By leveraging technologies like AI, virtual reality, and advanced analytics in both training and daily operations, utilities are equipping their workforce with the cross-disciplinary capabilities needed in the evolving energy landscape. Breaking down barriers between IT and OT allows companies to unlock greater value than if each group operated independently.
Let’s look at a real-world example
Grid inspections have traditionally relied on manual processes, often resulting in data overload and delayed analysis. Deloitte’s OptoAI addresses this challenge by harmonizing IT and OT to enable AI-enabled drone inspections.
This solution replaces weeks-long manual inspection and analysis with immediate, actionable insights, merging previously separate cycles of physical action and digital data processing. As a result, field teams can quickly identify and address potential issues, while predictive analytics support preventive maintenance and enhance overall grid reliability.
In this model, field operations (OT) use IT skills such as AI analytics, real-time data processing, and digital tools to automate inspections and accelerate decision-making. Meanwhile, IT teams incorporate OT expertise by embedding deep knowledge of grid infrastructure and operational workflows into the AI platform, ensuring it meets real-world utility needs. This blending of skills shows how IT and OT harmonization can drive smarter, more effective operations in the utilities sector.
Start here: a three-step strategy to harmonize IT and OT
IT/OT harmonization as a cultural and operational shift
To successfully harmonize IT and OT, organizations must address cultural and operational shifts while fostering collaboration. Each domain brings unique skills, mindsets, and workflows, meaning harmonization requires shared goals, mutual respect, and a commitment to breaking legacy habits that reinforce silos.
Operational norms must evolve, transitioning from traditional OT practices like in-person problem-solving and “shoulder tapping” to more standardized, proactive, and often remote IT-style processes.
End users also must adapt to a new reality. Systems and personnel, once managed on-site, now might incorporate IT-driven, cloud-enabled, or automated solutions. This change has led to the emergence of hybrid roles that bridge IT and OT, demanding reskilling, joint workflows, and new collaboration protocols.
To ensure a secure and efficient operational environment, unified security and governance strategies are essential, blending physical and digital controls while prioritizing robust data management.
IT/OT harmonization is worth the effort
There is no shortcut to success. Successful IT/OT harmonization requires a calculated and thorough approach to drive significant shifts in company culture, mindset, and governance. Bridging these distinct domains is inherently challenging and demands persistence, strategic alignment, and adaptability. To establish a future-ready technology operating model, you must take deliberate early steps to align people, processes, and technologies and acknowledge that harmonization will be a multi-year journey.
Your organization can start small and build momentum. Incremental initiatives, like aligning service desks or implementing joint security protocols, can foster trust among teams and validate the broader transformation. As technology and business drivers evolve, organizations must remain agile, continuously refining roles, processes, and tools to sustain alignment and meet emerging demands.
Embrace the future of IT/OT harmonization with Deloitte
IT/OT harmonization is a continuous journey that significantly enhances organizational resilience, particularly in industries where uptime, safety, and security are vital.
Achieving this transformation requires an ongoing commitment to new operating models and prioritizing investment in people, training, and collaborative ways of working.
Success hinges on clarity: defined roles, clear boundaries, and a shared vision for and commitment to success.
Need help navigating this complex but essential journey? Deloitte has the experience and knowledge to help.
