SPECIALIST ENGINEERING FEATURE
MOVING THROUGH THE GATED PATH: NCOE’S PROCESS FOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND
In our previous article in the May/ June 2012 edition of this magazine we looked at Project Strategy and how it was important to assert an early influence on a project. This identified how influence and cost are all related. However in this article we will demonstrate how the gating process maximises influence at the front end of the project and ultimately lowers financial and other risks.
SUCCESS AT NCOE OUR GOAL IS TO GENERATE BUSINESS VALUE BY DELIVERING PROJECTS, WHICH ARE EFFICIENT IN BOTH CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND LONG-TERM OPERATION
Our processes in NCOE have been developed from a wealth of industry experience which exists in the company. They also represent the current view of recognised good engineering practices. We apply these consistently across our range of projects. And, of course we are always looking for new projects and developments in which we can help in this way.
MAXIMISING INFLUENCE BY FOLLOWING THE GATED PATH We apply a gated process to our projects to ensure all options are properly screened and the correct option is selected for definition and execution phases.
A gated process has a clearly defined entry point and a clearly defined exit point. This means that in a project lifecycle you cannot move forward, progressing into the next stage until the first gate has been passed and approval has been gained to move forward. It really is a bit like going on a walk entering one field, walking through it to reach the gate at the other side. Design-readiness and understanding project risks are major factors at gate milestones. More often than not trying to push forward with a design concept when the project risk are not fully understood usually results in re-work later in the life cycle. Therefore a gated process minimises these risks.
One of the major advantages is that it ensures there is a methodical process and audit trail to each decision. The prize is selecting the correct option first time without having to go back and recycle options. Recycling is a very costly and time consuming process. Therefore time and effort spent in the earlier stages of the life cycle presents significant gains later on. For example changing the installation methodology before you start costruction is much easier than when you are at the workface with a team of construction personnel.
YOU MAY RECALL THE GRAPH THAT WE INCLUDED IN OUR PREVIOUS ARTICLE. DEMONSTRATING COST AND INFLUENCE AT EACH STAGE OF THE PROJECT:
The same cost and influence is applicable to the gated process.
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