Advanced Work Packaging, but better!
The Detailed Engineering Phase is in full motion on your project. Traditionally, it is now time to bring in the package managers and start creating the construction work packages. While this would not be incorrect, it is also not the most efficient.
For many years, the EPC industry has adopted the Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) approach, breaking down a project’s scope into smaller, more manageable packages. These would then be defined as Engineering Work Packages (EWP), Procurement Work Packages (PWP), and Construction Work Packages (CWP). At each stage of the project, project members would then be tasked with allocating package numbers, gathering the designs and other information, and passing them to the next recipient, tracking and reporting status, etc.
That is keeping engineers from engineering, procurement experts from procurement, and construction teams from managing job sites.
We don’t want that. So, what do EPC contractors typically do?
- They employ a small army of package managers.
- They invest in packaging software.
- Or often, they do both.
This adds new challenges:
- Increased costs due to additional staff and software.
- Compatibility issues between the new software and existing tools.
Let me introduce AWP+ or Automated Work Packaging. It’s not software, but a mindset, offering a more streamlined approach:
- Eliminate the need for dedicated package managers.
- No separate software solely for managing packages.
(Automated Work Packaging) AWP+
The concept of AWP+ is fairly straightforward:
During project initiation:
- Align the project team on the ultimate goal: Having the facility safely up and running, at the agreed time, at the agreed cost, meeting the functional requirements. This is the only objective that truly matters, as that is what ultimately brings value to the client.
- Define the optimized Path of Construction; the sequence of construction and installation activities.
- Define the project’s hierarchical Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), making it as detailed as necessary, based on a variety of factors.
- Assign a standardized WBS-code to each package of scope. This forms a consistent approach that replaces the need for separate EWP, PWP, and CWP coding.
During project execution:
- Engineering teams assign all their deliverables, data, and 3D model objects with the assigned WBS-code, ideally within their primary workspaces.
- These engineering systems seamlessly feed into a central data platform.
- Packages are automatically assembled. Their status, readiness, and projected completion date are auto-analyzed.
- The result is displayed on a central Dashboard, built with already available software.
- The entire project team, including project management, engineering, procurement, and construction, can monitor the status, readiness, and predicted completion on the dashboard, and use this for well-informed decision-making.
Conclusion
By embracing the AWP+ mindset, projects have been executed with no need for dedicated package managers. The overarching responsibility for developing the path of construction, managing WBS codes, and the daily use of AWP+ dashboards lies with the entire project management team.
In essence, AWP+ combines the principles of “Keeping the End in Mind,” “Single Source of Truth,” “Data-driven Project Management,” and “Lean Project Execution.” It’s a modern, efficient approach to project execution using tools we already have.
Ready to elevate your EPC project outcomes with expert, data-driven strategies?
Connect with us today to discover how Buro Matei can transform your project execution. Reach out directly at www.buromatei.com/contact to start your journey toward unparalleled efficiency and success. Let’s build a future of excellence together!
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