PDRI Principles & Practices

VAL-102

This course offers participants the opportunity to learn facilitation best practices for using the Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) from the Construction Industry Institute (CII). The PDRI methodology is used in front end planning to dramatically improve scope definition and achieve substantially improved project cost and schedule performance. An interactive case study is used to provide participants with first-hand experience in how an effective PDRI Assessment is conducted.

Learning Objectives

Understand the PDRI methodology and benefits.
Determine when to conduct a PDRI Assessment during front-end planning.
Define roles, responsibilities, and logistics for a successful PDRI Assessment.
Undertake advanced PDRI facilitation training.
Utilize findings from a PDRI Assessment.

Duration	Two half-day sessions	Delivery	Virtual, Instructor-Led
Credits	7 Professional Development Hours (PDH)	Group Size	15
Focus	Understand best practices in using the Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) Assessment.
Who Should Attend?	Program Managers, Project Managers, Design Managers, Designers, Project Engineers, Construction Managers, Technical Managers, Business Unit Leaders, Site Supervisors, Operations Leaders, Contract Administrators, Maintenance Managers, Risk Specialists, Procurement Professionals, Quality Specialists, 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
Introduction to the Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) and its role in improving project performance

PDRI Methodology

Introduction to front end planning (FEP)
Structure of PDRI in Carve
Application during front end planning (FEL) stages
The assessment process
Scoring system
Measuring progress of scope definition

Project Templates

Introduction to available templates
Walkthrough of the Industrial, Building and Infrastructure template
Using PDRI in greenfield and brownfield projects
Using PDRI for small, large and mega-projects
Interactive exercise: participants will use interactive polling to vote on the best project template to use for a PDRI assessment in multiple project examples.

Preparing for a PDRI Assessment

Who should attend?
Specific benefits for
- Business unit leaders
- Cost estimators
- Scheduler/planners
- Risk managers
- Engineering contractors and consultants
- Shutdown/turnaround managers
- Procurement managers
Session roles, responsibilities and logistics
Characteristics of great PDRI facilitators
Background materials to provide a facilitator preparing for a PDRI Assessment

Conducting the PDRI Assessment

Recommended techniques to ensure consistency in the element review process
Using the low definition element list
Creating effective action items
Importance of the executive summary
Comparison of total score to industry and internal benchmarks
Putting the final PDRI report to use
Importance of a debrief session
Sharing PDRI results with senior stakeholders
Interactive exercise: using a case study, the group will participate in a Mock PDRI session. Each participant will be assigned a role from the project team and provided with behavior hints. The instructor will facilitate the Mock PDRI session using Carve. The group will assess a range of elements and practice behaviors that encourage open and honest communication, identifying gaps, capturing relevant comments, and assigning a definition level.

Lessons Learned on Increasing Alignment

Using an early reviews to increase project team alignment and understanding business objectives
Using PDRI to increase alignment between owners and contractors
Leveraging PDRI to communicate known risks when a project handover occurs after FEL-3

Summary

Revisit the group’s poll results on organizational maturity of scope definition
Review how PDRI can be applied to improve scope definition and project performance
Discuss important “take-aways”
Conduct course evaluation

Register for an Upcoming Course

Virtual Course

February 19 & 20, 2025

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM EST

VAL-102 Course
$1,000 CAD
VAL-102 Course + Certification
$1,450 CAD

Register

VAL-102 Course
$749 USD VAL-102 Course + Certification
$1,079 USD

Register

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May 21 & 22, 2025

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM EST

VAL-102 Course
$1,000 CAD
VAL-102 Course + Certification
$1,450 CAD

Register

VAL-102 Course
$749 USD VAL-102 Course + Certification
$1,079 USD

Register

You will be redirected to the checkout page

Become a Certified PDRI Facilitator

Valency’s Certified PDRI Facilitator Program demonstrates mastery of facilitation skills and knowledge of the Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI). VAL-102 satisfies the educational requirements for this certification.

Learn more about Valency’s Certified PDRI Facilitator Program.

Testimonials

What Our Clients Say

“Great balance of instructor-led and participant involvement. The Mock PDRI exercise at the end really helped clarify the purpose and process of PDRI.”

Senior Project Manager

Major US Oil Refinery

“Excellent course – especially the tips on PDRI facilitation hurdles.”

Project Engineer

Global Pharmaceutical Manufacturer

“The course was interactive and very engaging. It has definitely helped me understand the PDRI process and will be looking forward to participating in PDRI sessions.”

Project Controls Engineer

International Oil & Gas company