Rethinking Model Reviews in EPC: A More Efficient Approach
In Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC), model reviews are vital for ensuring design quality and alignment across stakeholders. Traditionally, these reviews occur at three key stages: 30%, 60%, and 90% model completion. However, these checkpoints often create delays, rework, and inefficiencies, ultimately undermining project success. Buro Matei challenges this outdated approach by proposing a more collaborative and dynamic alternative—frequent, sprint-style model reviews based on the Level of Development (LOD).
The Pitfalls of Traditional Model Reviews
Traditional model reviews are meant to serve as quality checkpoints, verifying that the design is mature enough to move into the next phase of the EPC process—such as beginning foundation work after the 30% review, or releasing steel and piping at the 60% mark. In theory, these reviews should confirm that the design is ready for execution. However, in practice, they often become a forum for introducing new ideas or providing late-stage feedback.
The result is a cycle of rework that delays projects and adds unnecessary costs. Comments and suggestions, often introduced by both the client’s team and internal project disciplines, are submitted during the model review phase instead of during the design process. This lack of coordination disrupts the project timeline and undermines the “first-time-right” principle that Buro Matei holds central to its approach. Additionally, traditional model reviews are lengthy, involving large teams across different locations, and require significant resources, making them expensive and disruptive to ongoing work.
A Return to the Core Purpose of Model Reviews
Buro Matei aims to restore the original intent of model reviews: to serve as a quality assessment, not a brainstorming session for new ideas. By the time a traditional review takes place, all project stakeholders—engineering teams, owners, operations and maintenance (O&M), and construction teams—should already be fully aligned with the design.
Rather than eliminating traditional model reviews, Buro Matei integrates them as quality checkpoints within a larger, more dynamic review process. These reviews should confirm that the design is exactly as agreed upon during prior collaborative discussions. Construction teams should validate that constructability requirements have been addressed, while O&M should confirm that the model reflects accessibility and maintainability needs. Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) teams should verify safety aspects, and modular construction teams should ensure that lifting and assembly considerations are accurately reflected in the model.
Why Traditional Reviews Fall Short in Today’s Projects
A significant flaw in the traditional 30%, 60%, and 90% review process is its inflexibility. Model reviews are scheduled at arbitrary points, often resulting in reviews of immature designs or outdated data. Some parts of the model might be further developed than required, creating the risk of rework if adjustments are introduced. On the other hand, some components may still be too underdeveloped for a meaningful review, leading to decisions made on incomplete or inaccurate information.
For instance, it makes little sense to review the placement of a heat exchanger if the necessary calculations, such as line sizing or bundle pulling requirements, haven’t been completed. Introducing such elements prematurely into the review process creates a false sense of progress and risks future rework.
At Buro Matei, we believe that the abundance of real-time data and advanced technology available today calls for a more flexible, efficient approach to model reviews. The outdated practice of tying model reviews to fixed percentages of completion no longer fits the modern workflow.
An Agile Alternative: Sprint-Style Model Reviews
To address these issues, Buro Matei advocates for sprint-style model reviews that are more collaborative, dynamic, and responsive. Rather than waiting for arbitrary percentage milestones, Buro Matei uses Level of Development (LOD) as the trigger for reviews. Once design elements reach LOD 300, indicating they are ready for review, they are presented in the next scheduled sprint-style review. These reviews confirm critical details such as the location, size, orientation, quantity, and shape of the elements.
For example, a pump reaching LOD 300 would be reviewed to confirm its general arrangement, ensuring that vendor drawings are aligned with surrounding components such as steel and piping. Once the stakeholders agree, the design is upgraded to LOD 320, meaning its geometry is now “frozen” and no longer subject to change, except for minor adjustments like nozzle orientations or vendor updates.
The Benefits of Frequent, Just-in-Time Reviews
In Buro Matei’s sprint-style approach, model reviews take place more frequently—typically every week or two—allowing for smaller, more focused reviews that align with the actual progress of the design. Elements that are reviewed are finalized in one session, reducing the risk of rework. Importantly, objects are only reviewed once, meaning there is no need for repeated evaluations of the same element.
This method requires careful sequencing to ensure that elements are reviewed in a logical order. For example, floor elevations are reviewed before equipment placement, equipment locations are confirmed before piping connections, and pipe routing is validated before inline instruments are added. By adhering to this sequence, Buro Matei ensures that each component is reviewed at the right time, minimizing the risk of changes down the line.
Additionally, Buro Matei uses a data-driven approach to visualize progress. A dashboard clearly tracks which elements have been reviewed, approved, and frozen, providing transparency to all stakeholders. This visibility helps prevent unnecessary changes and supports a reliable, predictable project delivery.
Achieving Better Outcomes Through Collaboration
Buro Matei’s agile model review process is not just about increasing the frequency of reviews—it’s about fostering better collaboration between all project stakeholders. By involving key team members earlier and more often, we create an environment where decisions are made based on accurate, up-to-date information. This prevents the misalignment that often plagues traditional model reviews and ensures that projects stay on track.
We believe that this approach is the future of EPC project execution. By moving away from rigid, outdated review cycles and embracing a more fluid, responsive process, Buro Matei is helping clients achieve better outcomes, with fewer delays, reduced costs, and a more predictable path to project completion.
Further reading
↗ Digital Twins: Transforming Project Execution in EPC
Conclusion
The traditional model review process, while still useful for contractual and quality checkpoint purposes, is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of modern EPC projects. Buro Matei’s innovative sprint-style model reviews, grounded in Level of Development principles, provide a more agile, efficient, and collaborative approach to ensuring design quality. This method reduces rework, speeds up project timelines, and ensures that all stakeholders are aligned throughout the project lifecycle.
By incorporating frequent, just-in-time reviews, Buro Matei helps clients move away from rigid review cycles and towards a more flexible, data-driven approach that delivers superior results.