Success Enablers and Information Reuse

FT-13 Topic Summary
FT 13

Overview

This research project discusses how information reuse can improve data transfer between project phases and encourages the various parties involved to exchange intelligent, structured data rather than documents.

Reuse is driven by a single question: What is the cost and benefit of change? Below are some of the characteristics of an information reuse system:

  • Assets are broken into “chunks.”
  • Data is collected in a particular format.
  • Data is tagged with identifiers.
  • Data is aggregated by and linked to the appropriate “chunk.”
  • “Chunks” are aggregated to develop a system structure and model.
  • Models form the basic components of the technology platform.

The documents comprising this topic are focused on the processes needed for effective information reuse across projects, as well as the information technology, business benefits, and barriers involved in information reuse. Three companies were studied to benchmark the best practices for information re-use. The impact of design reuse on the process and power industries was the fundamental question during this study, while benchmarking, documenting the business case, and key requirements were all outcomes of understanding this impact.

The study found that information reuse contains “remarkable opportunities…for owners and engineering companies to improve cycle time, quality, and cost effectiveness of facility design and construction activities” (E9-13, page 3).

This study encompasses documenting five main tasks (E9-2, page 3):

  • Gather and document reuse status in other industries
  • Benefits and barriers reports
  • Object library structure
  • Metrics and benchmark values
  • User requirements documentation

The benchmarking studies show that significant business benefits have been achieved which range from more competitive projects to improved operational performance. The study also showed that work processes have to be redefined and that cultural change is a significant issue (E9-13, page 25).

Key Findings and Implementation Tools

1 : Business Drivers

  • Cost benefits in operations and maintenance
  • Modularization
    • Improved quality control and advanced equipment testing
    • Enhanced capital cost planning
  • Immediate productivity by team members
  • Enhanced comprehensive data models for cost/benefit analysis

2 : Object/Data Structures

  • System hierarchy layered based on technological or layout change rate.
  • Standardized process and infrastructure enables improved efficiency in procurement, operations, and maintenance.
  • Speed and efficiency for storing and retrieving information is greatly enhanced during information re-use process.

3 : Work Processes

  • Design reuse is a process which must address business concerns of innovation and flexibility.
  • Retrofitting data does not work. Design reuse must be driven during data creation.
  • System owners optimize system while keeping inputs, outputs, and interfaces similar. This reduces overall change impact on the entire system.
  • Information reuse process must also be focused on finding ways to allow current designs to meet the business requirement for packaged plants to be mass customized, and modular units to be engineered-to-order units.
  • Design reuse enables clear costing and development plans for future capacity, as well as more efficient pull planning.
  • Review processes are mapped to different types of changes for expediency where the change does not effect a fundamental process system or instrumentation strategy.
  • Design review packages are developed, fabricated, and connected to ensure accurate alignment with the key stakeholders.

4 : Governance

  • Alignment of managing the design reuse process and technology roadmap ensures that appropriate design elements are the focus of the design reuse system.
  • Size of information reuse subsystems correspond with the complexity of the system.
  • Continual executive coaching combined with grassroots facilitation is key for effective culture change.
  • Metrics for success often based on improving cost, speed, and fit-for-purpose from the previous delivery.

5 : Implementation

  • The object structure is based on answers to three key questions: (E9-1, page 11)
    • What business drivers/models support design reuse?
    • What components have relatively stable design over time?
    • What areas do we really care about and what areas provide a competitive advantage?
  • Business model characteristics determine business expectations of design reuse.
  • Effective alignment of business, technology, and engineering goals.
  • Implementation of design reuse must combine both vision and audit for effective culture change
  • Higher level management must drive the use of the system.
  • Information systems are critical to information reuse efficiency.

6 : Barriers and Concerns

  • The front-end engineering phase of a reuse project may be longer than expected, however this is necessary for the efficiency of future reuse projects.
  • Specific steps for the information reuse must be present for periodic design updates and reviews.

7 : Implementation Tools

  • The Success Enablers Toolkit (E0-0) is a resource to assess a company’s current position, as well as to guide the journey to reduce and or eliminate areas of wasted time, manpower and cost through implementing 12 Productivity Advancement Targets in the facilities lifecycle.
  • The Decision Sequence and Influence Diagram (E1-1) was generated for use during project setup in the FEL 2 phase. This diagram is a basic road map for large decisions and the effects of those decisions in chronological order.
  • The Software Tool Functional Specifications Evaluation Form (E1-2) is a tool that enables a quick and accurate assessment of project software capabilities within various categories from data modeling requirements to user interfaces and next-generation product specifications.
FT-13

Key Performance Indicators

Improved productivity, Improved cost, Improved performance, Data validation

Related Resources

Success Enabler Toolkit (E0-0)

Publication Date: 10/2017 Resource Type: Fiatech Publication Source: FT-13

Decision Sequence and Influence Diagram (E1-1)

Publication Date: 06/2005 Resource Type: Fiatech Publication Source: FT-13

Software Tool Functional Specifications Evaluation Form (E1-2)

Publication Date: 10/2005 Resource Type: Fiatech Publication Source: FT-13

Benchmarking Best Practices (E9-1)

Publication Date: 11/2002 Resource Type: Fiatech Publication Source: FT-13

Benefits and Barriers to Engineering Information Reuse (E9-2)

Publication Date: 01/2003 Resource Type: Fiatech Publication Source: FT-13

Benefits Calculation Workbook (E9-3)

Publication Date: 04/2002 Resource Type: Fiatech Publication Source: FT-13

Information Reuse Best Practices for a Competitive Advantage (E9-13)

Publication Date: 04/2003 Resource Type: Fiatech Publication Source: FT-13


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