Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) is a process for defining, aligning, sequencing, and pacing the execution of EPC packages that allows the project’s facilities to be designed and built more predictably. Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) starts with defining the Project’s Construction Work Areas (CWA) to establish the Construction Work Packages (CWP) within each area and aligns associated engineering work packages (EWP) with procurement work packages (PWP). This will populate the construction work packages with all the drawings and materials and gets them ready to be carved into Installation work packages (IWP) to be used by the construction team.
Having a Project Management Information System (PMIS) like PMWeb will enable organizations to implement advanced work packaging best practices using a single web-enabled platform to manage, monitor, evaluate and report on the information associated with AWP including the performance indices that will be generated from the captured information.
For example, the PMWeb document management repository will be used to create folders to match the construction work areas (CWA) established for the project. Under each CWA folder, folders for the relevant engineering work packages, procurement work packages, and construction work packages will be created. Finally, folders for the installation work packages will be added under their relevant construction work package. Permissions can be set for each work package folder and sub-folder to limit access for uploaded documents. In addition, attributes can be added for each folder to capture the needed information for uploaded documents. PMWeb allows uploading all types of files including Revit BIM files whereas PMWeb allows viewing the BIM model, reviewing properties, take snapshots among others. PMWeb also allows uploading and tracking versions by using the checkout and check-in commands. This enables selecting the option to view all versions or only the latest version.
In addition, PMWeb custom form builder will be used to create the checklists needed for Installation Work Packages (IWP). The checklist which will be unique for each type of work will include the details of the relevant construction work area, project discipline, engineering, procurement, and construction work packages, and the installation work package for which the checklist was prepared. The checklist will contain all of the information needed to execute the work scope associated with the IWP.
The attachment tab will be used to attach all documents referenced on the checklist which should be uploaded and stored in the relevant IWP folder in the PMWeb document management repository. In addition, links to related PMWeb records as well as imported MS Outlook emails can be added.
The IWP Checklist form workflow will ensure that the checklist is reviewed and approved by the right project team members. The workflow will identify all needed steps, the duration for each step, responsibility for each step, actions that can be taken for each step, and the sequence for performing those steps. The workflow steps will be aligned with the permissions set in the IWP Checklist form to ensure that designated project team members are providing the information that they need to provide. PMWeb also allows adding conditions to the workflow steps to incorporate the approval authority levels.
In addition, PMWeb cost management modules will be used to capture the data needed to report the cost performance of the engineering, procurement, and construction packages. This will require managing the estimated budget, budget adjustments, actual cost, and change orders associated with each work package that is the basis for calculating Cost Growth, Budget Factor, Net Variation Over Final Cost, and Cost Per Unit at Completion.
Further, PMWeb will be used the implement the project management processes needed to report the schedule, safety, quality, productivity, and predictability performance indices. The default PMWeb modules for safety incidents and daily reports will provide the information needed to report safety and productivity performance indices. On the other hand, PMWeb custom form builder will be used to create the forms for non-compliance reports, risk identification as well as other safety, quality, and other forms needed to report work packages performance indices.
In addition, PMWeb custom form builder will be used to create the templates from Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Work Packages and other templates needed for implementing the Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) best practices.
Bassam Samman, PMP, PSP, EVP, GPM is a Senior Project Management Consultant with more than 35-year service record providing project management and controls services to over 100 projects with a total value over the US $5 Billion. Those projects included Commercial, Residential, Education, and Healthcare Buildings and Infrastructure, Entertainment and Shopping Malls, Oil and Gas Plants and Refineries, Telecommunication, and Information Technology projects. He is thoroughly experienced in complete project management including project management control systems, computerized project control software, claims analysis/prevention, risk analysis/management (contingency planning), design, supervision, training, and business development.
Bassam is a frequent speaker on topics relating to Project Management, Strategic Project Management, and Project Management Personal Skills. Over the past 35 years, he has lectured at more than 350 events and courses at different locations in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and South America. He has written more than 250 articles on project management and information systems featured in international and regional magazines and newspapers. He is a co-founder of the Project Management Institute- Arabian Gulf Chapter (PMI-AGC) and has served on its board of directors for more than 6 years. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute (PMI), a certified Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP), and Earned Value Professional (EVP) from the American Association of Cost Engineers (AACE) and Green Project Management (GPM).
Bassam holds a Masters in Engineering Administration (Construction Management) with Faculty Commendation, George Washington University, Washington, D.C., USA, Bachelor in Civil Engineering – Kuwait University, Kuwait and has attended many executive management programs at Harvard Business School, Boston, USA, and London Business School, London, UK.