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Front End Planning Tool: PDRI for Infrastructure Projects

Publication No
RS268-1
Type
Research & Development Product
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2011
Pages
37
Research Team
RT-268
DOCUMENT DETAILS
Abstract
Key Findings
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Abstract

Previous Construction Industry Institute (CII) research has found that tools for measuring project scope definition and facilitating alignment between project participants are an essential component of a good front end planning process. While this earlier research has addressed front end planning (FEP) of industrial and building projects, it has not focused on infrastructure work directly, and little research has been performed in the area of FEP for infrastructure projects. CII formed the Project Definition Rating Index for Infrastructure Projects Research Team (RT 268) to produce an effective, simple, and easy-to-use scope definition tool for infrastructure projects. The development effort outlined in this paper is a continuation of the research/development thread conducted by CII over the past 19 years, extending it to this important industry sector. This research summary provides an overview of the research and development of the PDRI for Infrastructure Projects (PDRI–Infrastructure). It also discusses data showing the efficacy of the PDRI, based on a data sample of infrastructure projects.

The PDRI–Infrastructure is a risk management tool that consists of 68 elements presented in a weighted checklist format. The tool provides a method for measuring the completeness of project scope development on infrastructure projects. It is similar and complementary to two other popular CII front end planning tools, PDRI–Buildings and PDRI–Industrial. The tool’s weighted index, based on the input of 64 experienced project planners in six workshops, allows users to measure the level of scope definition and to compare scope definition to anticipated project success. This tool should help owners and contractors better achieve business, operational, and project objectives.

When using the PDRI–Infrastructure tool, the user’s weighted score for a project can reach up to 1000 points, with a lower score being better. An analysis of 22 completed infrastructure projects representing over $6 billion of constructed cost showed that projects scoring lower than 200 (out of 1000 total points) were significantly more successful than those that scored above 200.

The PDRI–Infrastructure tool was also used on four projects during front end planning representing over $2.1 billion in planned expenditures. Data from these projects were provided by four organizations, and the tool proved valuable to the project teams in understanding risk and identifying scope gaps. These exercises showed the value and capability of the tool, since it helped team members identify critical planning issues.

The research findings show that the tool improves the front end planning of infrastructure projects and is ready for use. Lessons learned are presented to provide a better understanding of how to use the PDRI–Infrastructure tool for project planning. Logic flow diagrams, developed to provide time-sequenced logic to project planning activities, are also included.

Key Findings
RT-268 defined an infrastructure project as a capital project that provides transportation, transmission, distribution, collection, or other capabilities in support of commerce or the interaction of goods, service, or people. The central premise of the research team’s effort is that project teams must work collaboratively (i.e., achieve alignment) on the right projects and perform the right work (i.e., define scope) during front end planning. In the context of systems, an infrastructure project in this definition provides the needed services and connections that enable industrial facilities and buildings to function effectively. If any of these vectors are disrupted, the entire system will fail to function effectively unless redundancy is provided. The diagram below illustrates this concept, showing the connection of industrial facilities and buildings (i.e., nodes) by infrastructure such as pipelines, electrical distribution, canals, rail, and highways (i.e., vectors). (RS268-1, p. 3)
RT-268 established the PDRI element weights by using input provided by 15 owner organizations and 21 contractor organizations from the infrastructure sector. A complex statistical analysis of the data was conducted to determine the numerical weights assigned to each element. (RS268-1, p. 13)
In order to test the usefulness of the PDRI–Infrastructure, and to determine its target value, it was tested on completed projects to verify its viability as a predictor of project success. This analysis revealed a significant difference in performance between the projects scoring above 200 and the projects scoring below 200 prior to detailed design and construction for the PDRI–Infrastructure. (RS268-1, p. 13)

Two key points on the use of this PDRI tool for Infrastructure:

  • Assessments should ideally be performed more than once during front end planning (RS268-1, p. 18).
  • PDRI scores will improve as planning progresses, but they may vary on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis as team members realize that some elements are not as well defined as initially assumed. It is important to score the elements honestly in order to gain the benefits of the PDRI–Infrastructure as a diagnostic tool. 
The PDRI–Infrastructure was developed as a point-in-time tool, with elements grouped by subject matter and not in time-sequenced logic. It is recognized that there is an embedded logic in the descriptions. Certain elements must first be defined before others can be defined. For instance, Section I elements address the need to perform the “right project,” Section II elements help the team to develop the “right product,” and Section III elements focus on the “right approach” to performing the project all in the context of needed scope definition. The figure below outlines the logic at a section level for PDRI–Infrastructure (RS268-1, p. 18).
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Research Topic
Project Definition Rating Index Tool for Infrastructure Projects
Keywords
Infrastructure, PDRI, Schedule, Performance, Tool, Risk, Assessment, Communication, rt268