Promoting the Use of Advanced Work Packaging

The main goal of this study was to recommend strategies to promote the use of Advanced Work Packaging (AWP). As defined by CII, AWP is a planned, executable process that encompasses the work on an EPC project, beginning with initial planning and continuing through detailed design and construction execution. AWP provides the framework for productive and progressive construction and presumes the existence of a construction execution plan. In order to achieve this goal, RT-DCC-04 conducted a survey and a series of interviews to accomplish the following tasks:

1. Identify companies that are implementing AWP.
2. Analyze the main barriers faced by these companies during AWP implementation.
3. Recommend potential solutions to overcome these barriers.
4. Find the reasons why some companies are not implementing AWP.
5. Uncover opportunity areas where additional research could positively affect the use of AWP at the industry level.

An online survey was developed to better understand the AWP implementation status. This survey obtained 68 responses from 36 companies. The survey collected data about the companies’ AWP implementation journeys, including project focus, implementation maturity level, barriers, potential solutions to overcome these barriers, and recommendations on how to promote the use of AWP. Along with the survey, 11 interviews were conducted to gather more data on implementation challenges and critical success factors.

The research team conducted a comprehensive analysis of AWP implementation barriers. Potential solutions for the main AWP implementation barriers were identified. Suggestions on how to promote the use of AWP were also compiled.

Among the companies that participated in this study, the average AWP implementation maturity level (based on the five Maturity Model Dimensions proposed by RT-272) was 1.8 on a scale that ranges from 1.0 to 3.0, with 3.0 being the most mature. The barriers analysis revealed that two topics need more input at this point:

1. Improve the integration of engineering and AWP implementation.
2. Provide easier access to AWP case studies and implementation resources. 

The research findings make clear that there are ways to positively influence the AWP implementation at the industry level. By revealing the areas where the construction industry is struggling to implement AWP, this research was essential for RT-DCC-04 to define the scope of work for Phase 2 of this study under RT-365. Reading these findings can alert companies to potential barriers they may face during AWP implementation.