Effective Scope Control Provides Benefits for Capital Projects in Turnarounds

Work scope optimization for capital projects executed during turnarounds requires superior planning, communication and adherence to best practices to achieve the goal of meeting safety, schedule and budget targets. Contrary to this desired goal, there are unknowns prior to turnaround and wish-list items that must be methodically reviewed as turnaround approaches. It is important to have best practices in place for work scope definition and instilled discipline to adhere to those practices. A systematic approach for early definition and challenge of work scope is vital to turnaround success.

Advantages of each work scope item should be openly debated to determine viability of scope. There could be simple fear of equipment failure without any reasonable evidence. While a comprehensive and complete job list may be developed, there is a strong possibility of jobs which are unnecessary work. Sometimes work that is hastily scoped long before a turnaround may not be necessary as time goes by. Experience has shown that cold-eye facilitation of scope challenges can result in scope reduction of 10% to 20%. Well-defined scope documentation aids in scrutiny of scope advantages versus alternatives or “doing nothing”.

Burns & McDonnel employs CII’s Front End Planning (FEP) process for thorough scope definition. Definitive scoping enables the owner’s top line leadership to have a clear understanding of work scope prior to approval. Improved up-front scope definition allows for scope-freeze well in advance of turnaround. A safe and successful turnaround can be achieved in part by employing well tested best practices.