Developing a Concept Enabling Capture of Inputs and Outputs of a Piping Flexibility Analysis Process During Plant Design Projects
Mbeng, Martin (2020)
Mbeng, Martin
2020
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020060115977
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020060115977
Tiivistelmä
A well-organized concept is necessary to enhance capture of inputs and outputs between teams during plant design projects, to minimize delays in the process and facilitate teamworking and knowledge management. The objective of this thesis was to develop a concept enabling capture of mutual expectations of inputs and outputs between the Strength Calculation and Stress Analysis (SCSA) and Piping Design teams during the flexibility analysis of critical piping.
An applied action-based qualitative research approach involving triangulation was used to collect data for this study. The techniques used to collect data included in-depth one-to-one interviews, workshops, and internal documentation. Data was analyzed by categorization into key focus areas, corroboration based on similarities in responses and percentage of agreement among key stakeholders. The study was undertaken by first conducting an analysis of the current inputs and outputs exchange practices. Several strengths and weaknesses emerged from this analysis. Then, a literature review provided best practices, tools, and strategies necessary to resolve key weaknesses in the process. The literature review served as a foundation for the creation of the conceptual framework (CF). Finally, an initial proposal of the concept was created based on key focus areas of the current state analysis (CSA), CF and several suggestions from key stakeholders.
The final version of the concept consists of key elements such as involving stakeholders at the early stage of projects to capture their needs, defining roles and responsibilities to enhance ownership of tasks, applying effective communication practices to improve exchange of information, empowering through coaching and monitoring to close skill gaps. It also includes tools such as the flexibility analysis follow-up list, the role and responsibility (RACI) matrix and flexibility analysis inputs checklist. The combination of these elements and tools does not only enable capturing of inputs and outputs but also allow improving cooperation between the teams.
The concept developed in this thesis provide the case company with a well-organized approach of capturing inputs and outputs during a flexibility analysis process. It is a co-created effort and has been recommended for a strategical implementation within the case company.
An applied action-based qualitative research approach involving triangulation was used to collect data for this study. The techniques used to collect data included in-depth one-to-one interviews, workshops, and internal documentation. Data was analyzed by categorization into key focus areas, corroboration based on similarities in responses and percentage of agreement among key stakeholders. The study was undertaken by first conducting an analysis of the current inputs and outputs exchange practices. Several strengths and weaknesses emerged from this analysis. Then, a literature review provided best practices, tools, and strategies necessary to resolve key weaknesses in the process. The literature review served as a foundation for the creation of the conceptual framework (CF). Finally, an initial proposal of the concept was created based on key focus areas of the current state analysis (CSA), CF and several suggestions from key stakeholders.
The final version of the concept consists of key elements such as involving stakeholders at the early stage of projects to capture their needs, defining roles and responsibilities to enhance ownership of tasks, applying effective communication practices to improve exchange of information, empowering through coaching and monitoring to close skill gaps. It also includes tools such as the flexibility analysis follow-up list, the role and responsibility (RACI) matrix and flexibility analysis inputs checklist. The combination of these elements and tools does not only enable capturing of inputs and outputs but also allow improving cooperation between the teams.
The concept developed in this thesis provide the case company with a well-organized approach of capturing inputs and outputs during a flexibility analysis process. It is a co-created effort and has been recommended for a strategical implementation within the case company.