Resource

Commissioning & Operational Readiness

The Commissioning & Operational Readiness Assessment is a methodology designed to support project teams in the early identification of commissioning and startup gaps and hot spots that must be addressed to ensure a successful transition through each phase:

• Detailed design
• Construction
• Pre-commissioning
• Commissioning
• Startup
• Close-out

The assessment consists of a series of readiness factors grouped by the phase. As factors are assessed, comments and action items are captured where gaps exist.

METHODOLOGY

What is Commissioning and Operational Readiness?

 

METHODOLOGY

What is Commissioning & Operational Readiness?

 

The Commissioning & Operational Readiness Assessment is a methodology designed to support project teams in the early identification of commissioning and startup gaps and hot spots that must be addressed to ensure a successful transition through each phase:

• Detailed design
• Construction
• Pre-commissioning
• Commissioning
• Startup
• Close-out

The assessment consists of a series of readiness factors grouped by the phase. As factors are assessed, comments and action items are captured where gaps exist.

Key Benefits

Reduced Optimism Bias

A systematic review of research-vetted factors and hot spots is proven to reduce optimism bias, one of the top three most impactful elements in successful delivery of mega projects.

Increased Team Alignment

The assessment is led by a neutral facilitator focused on effective engagement and collaboration of all key stakeholders – one of 16 critical success factors to successful project commissioning and startup.

Improved Schedule Performance

95% of the identified hot spots result in schedule delays if not properly addressed. A thorough review will decrease the risk of a commissioning related schedule delay.

Valency’s project assurance solution

Carve for Commissioning & Operational Readiness

 

Carve for Commissioning & Operational Readiness

  • Rapidly adopt the commissioning & operational readiness methodology
  • Ensure consistency in Commissioning & Operational Readiness Assessments 
  • Clearly communicate results to senior leaders
  • Configure Commissioning & Operational Readiness Assessment templates
  • Leverage out-of-the-box commissioning & operational readiness analytics 

Additional information

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a Commissioning & Operational Readiness Assessment critical?

The Construction Industry Institute (CII) identified the transition from construction to operations as where the highest leakage of business value occurs. Leakage is challenging to measure, yet owners want a system to review and reduce the leakage of value in their projects.   

Subject matter experts and their experience are often relied on to guide complex projects to completion. While this approach may be successful in some projects, it does not allow for benchmarking between projects, project leaders or industry standards.

Each Commissioning & Operational Readiness Assessment provides an objective report to communicate to all stakeholders that a clear process is being followed to oversee the transition from construction to operations, with the primary goal of improving schedule certainty. This builds team knowledge and experience relevant to each project stage, allowing the team to fill gaps before the activity begins. 

Who uses the Commissioning & Operational Readiness Assessment?

The assessment aligns the project team, contractors, downstream users, and subject matter experts to guide discussions and conduct detailed investigations into critical areas of the project. The project team uses the assessment under the joint guidance of the Project Manager, Construction Manager, and Commissioning Managers. The Commissioning & Operational Readiness Assessment provides detailed action items to be shared with the project owner and extended team. 

When is the Commissioning & Operational Readiness Assessment used?

The first assessment is used at the end of the detailed design and before the construction phase. This guides the team to review the construction sequence to align with the commissioning plan. This greatly improves schedule confidence to achieve schedule milestones. Subsequent assessments are conducted in advance of each major commissioning phase.  

How is the Commissioning & Operational Readiness Assessment structured?

The Commissioning & Operational Readiness assessment includes critical factors that span six project phases, from detailed design through commissioning. By assessing the project by phase, key topics are addressed in a timely manner – not too early or too late. Through each iteration of the assessment, the facilitator will guide the project team factor-by-factor and capture all action items and gaps. After all relevant factors are assessed, a score is assigned. 

Where does the Commissioning & Operational Readiness Assessment originate?

The Construction Industry Institute (CII) sponsored two research teams between 2013 and 2017 that were focused on improving project performance during commissioning and startup. After CII’s research was published, Valency created a customer working group to collaboratively develop the Commissioning & Operational Readiness Assessment. The assessment allows companies to operationalize CII’s research and align with industry best practices.