Front End Planning Principles & Practices

VAL-101

CII Phase Gate Process

As a project leader, you know first hand the importance of proper scope definition. Industry research shows that projects with intensive front end planning and well-defined scope perform markedly better in terms of cost, schedule, change orders, and delivery against operational business objectives.

This course offers participants the opportunity to learn how to apply the principles of front end planning using the Construction Industry Institute’s (CII) front end planning phase-gate process. Each phase in the front end planning process is explained along with the key objectives, inputs, specific tasks, and deliverables.

Built around an interactive case study, this course offers participants a practical opportunity to apply the principles of front end planning. Participants will work collaboratively in small groups to conduct analyses at each phase of front end planning for the project. The course concludes with each group presenting their recommendation (and rationale) on whether the project should be authorized to proceed to detailed design.

Learning Objectives

Understand the definition, objectives, and principles of front end planning.
Identify the key activities that occur during each phase during each phase of front end planning.
Understand the inputs into each phase-gate decision point.
Recognize the three phases and gates of the front end planning process. recommended by the Construction Industry Institute (CII).
Apply front end planning tools and techniques including the Project Definition. Rating Index (PDRI) and the Alignment Thermometer.

Duration	Two half-day sessions	Delivery	Virtual, Instructor-Led
Credits	7 Professional Development Hours (PDH)	Group Size	15
Focus	Apply the Construction Industry Institute’s phase-gate process to improve project performance through effective scope definition and planning.
Who Should Attend?	Program Managers, Project Managers, Engineers and Planners, Design Managers, Designers, Construction Managers, Technical Managers, Project Estimators and Schedulers Business Unit Leaders, Site Supervisors, Project Finance Personnel, Operations leaders, Contract Administrators, Maintenance Managers, Risk Specialists, Procurement Professionals, Materials Supervisors, Quality Specialists, Legal, Project Controls Analysts, Information Commercial Managers, Cost Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Health & Safety professionals, and others.
Related Courses and Certification	Certified PDRI Facilitator Program VAL 223: Facilitation Skills & Techniques for Capital Projects Workshop

Open Toggles

Introduction

Overview of course objectives and agenda
Front end planning principles
Introduction of the front end planning phase gate process
Research results showing the impact of front end planning on project performance

Feasibility Phase

Introduction to the main concepts associated with the feasibility phase
Alignment of the team with the project business drivers
Understand the specific tasks associated with each sub-phase
- Initiate
- Generate options
- Filtering options
- Finalize filtering options
- Goals and objectives of conducting a PDRI-1 review (Project Definition Rating Index)
Achieve early team alignment; application of the Alignment Thermometer
Feasibility analysis steps and decisions
Inputs and deliverables of phase gate 1

Workshop 1 – Feasibility Analysis

Interactive exercise – using a case study for an expansion project, participants will work in small groups and perform an analysis to identify:
- missing inputs required for the feasibility phase
- tasks that must be performed to complete the feasibility study
- key risks that need to be addressed

Concept Phase

Introduction to the main concepts associated with the concept phase
Understand the specific tasks associated with each sub-phase
- Initiate
- Analyze alternatives
- Develop conceptual scope and estimates
- Evaluate and select the best alternative
- Prepare a concept phase report
- Goals and objectives of conducting a PDRI-2 review
Inputs and deliverables of phase gate 2

Workshop 2 – Concept Analysis

Interactive exercise – the case study project progresses to the concept phase. Participants will work in small groups to analyze site characteristics, consider technology alternatives, steps to prepare conceptual estimates, and identify gaps that still need to be addressed to complete all deliverables for phase gate 2.

Detailed Scope Phase

Introduction to the main concepts associated with the detailed scope phase
Understand the specific tasks associated with each sub-phase
- Initiate
- Preliminary design and engineering
- Preliminary design and engineering reviews
- Cost and schedule control estimates
- Finalize the scope definition package
- Goals and objectives of conducting a PDRI-3 review
- Compile the project definition package
Inputs and deliverables of the phase gate 3 decision point (authorization decision for detailed design and construction)

Workshop 3 – Detailed Scope Analysis

Interactive exercise – the case study project progresses to the detailed scope phase. Participants will work in small groups to conduct a risk assessment. Each group will identify risks, assign probability, impact, and recommend mitigation steps. Finally, the group will prepare and present their recommendation on whether the project should be authorized to proceed to detailed design.

Summary

Apply course learning and complete a self-assessment of front end planning implementation
Review the front end planning phase gate process, tools and techniques
Discuss important “take-aways”
Conduct course evaluation

VAL-101 is only offered as a

private course.

Testimonials

What Our Clients Say

“Amazing instructor, such an in-depth walk through of front end planning, very organized.”

Project Engineer

Nuclear Company

“Course content and presentation exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended for professionals in the industry.”

Director, Capital Projects

Global Auto Manufacturer

“Completely applicable to the range of capital projects we deliver. The instructor’s energy and overall enthusiasm made this an interesting and fun course.”

Manager, Inside Plant Projects

Power Generation company