I am often asked the question “what is the most difficult part of the commissioning job”, communication is high on my list and working effectively with all team members, both in and our of commissioning, but lets dwell briefly on assumption.

As we make our initially philosophical and then strategic plans, not all elements of what we need to commission will be known, so making assumptions is a natural and excepted aspect of our initial work, as long as we clearly document our assumptions, they can reviewed and help explain deviation should it arise.

The aspect of assumption I believe we all succumb to and is the most dangerous, is the assumption a guide or directive we may have given is not being properly executed due to a breakdown in explanation, indication or communication which results in our teams potentially not working in the most effective manner, the resultant frustration can be felt by all parties.

Believe me it is hard when things are hectic to get the right guidance and direction over to our teams, but we must strive and make the time to explain so we all can pull in the right direction and success be allowed to prevail.

Safe and successful commissioning always…

Although a softer side of our set-up, not considering and implementing a good plan for your commissioning teams home can cause just as much stress and upset as any process matter, so try and plan things out…

Initially we may find ourselves in the office of an EPC company, hence some agreement will need to be reached as to how much space, an orderly plan of who will arrive when, where and which engineering groups the commissioning team members need to sit by and of course cost.

Then as we relocate to the job site do we move into existing accommodation or do we house ourselves in a “construction village”? Again and in so many things we do good communication comes into play and we must liaise with the construction team to secure our home. If we are to move into existing site office space, or even create new space within an existing building consideration needs to be made as to how the team will be setup, cubicles or open space seating, conference rooms, showers, toilets and changing rooms including dirty and clean change areas, kitchen facilities and of course the war room (s)?

One hopes we would have considered all the above in our cost estimates but as well as the obvious such as desks, chairs, storage, (does it need to be secure, do you have confidential documents to handle?) shelving, lockers, benches, telephones we need also consider office cleaning contracts, copier equipment and sanitation removal.

So a topic that’s kind of off the central commissioning theme, but it’s an area which will dominate one member of the team in the setup and management thereof, so consider it and plan.

Safe and successful commissioning always…

Recently I was asked a very interesting question in regard to paperless commissioning protocols and my experience of such.

Whilst I know there are some excellent proprietary software systems out there that manage the commissioning process I have not personally used them. Preparation of robust commissioning paperwork systems is now and has always been the sound basis of my efforts as a commissioning guy, a well documented commissioning effort is key to the handover process to the ongoing operations group.

It has been my experience that once we finally draft and have approved all the documents in our system files, we move into a mass print off and file stage prior to us making the transition from the office to the field to witness construction completion activities and general construction monitoring. Again my experience indicates that once the actual commissioning period starts, life becomes very hectic and update and sign-off of the procedures being executed is undertaken on paper with a good old pen. Now again (as I can hear the screams) there may be some electronic systems that can manage this final phase of our work well, it has just not been witnessed by this crusty old commissioning guy…

Whatever system you use, fully electronic or paper, just ensure the commissioning phase is well and accurately documented, it is vital to the success of the project.

Safe and successful commissioning always…

I think it’s worth dwelling a while on the skill set and values of a good commissioning guy, my thought for today.

I am a strong believer in leadership as a separate entity to management and at heart I believe all good commissioning guys have at their core the potential to lead, you have to possess the skill to deliver a commissioning system successfully from detail design through to beneficial operation. I also take honesty and trustworthiness as a given in any individual in any work environment, so what other attributes does a good commissioning guy have?

For sure the person needs tenacity to always drive forward and overcome the adversity that is part of our work. Hence this leads to being able to be very adaptable and open and to be accepting of change. The person has to be organised to cope with the paperwork systems we have to manage and technically savvy to understand the process to be commissioned. Good commissioning folks are not only results driven and determined but in their heart are driven by high personal standards which are clear to see in the quality of their delivery. An attention to detail is essential and an ability to work unmanaged.

We are indeed a very special group of people and one I am very proud of.

Safe and successful commissioning always…

At the start of a fresh new year, I feel it an apt time to reflect on just what commissioning is all about.

To start with the phrase I always like to use and it features in my talks and in the book, it that for commissioning to be successful, it does not start the day after construction finish by pushing the big green button. No, commissioning is a major discipline as any other on the project world and when we are allowed to fully discharge our duties, we can make the start-up of the asset efficient and effective but this is based on months of planning and preparation through the design phase of a project.

As we move to the field the next phrase I like to use is, we check, check and check until your checker can check on more! Again a fundamental function of our group is to identify what we need to check, do the check and full document the outcome. Documents take the form of check sheets but are based on robust and all inclusive detailed procedures, as detailed if not more so than any standard operating procedure.

The bedrock of our work is a sound paperwork system, coupled with effective plans and processes, when used as it should be; a good commissioning methodology will deliver our projects to a right first time start-up.

Safe and successful commissioning always…

To all those who come visit me at my site, may I send all best wishes for a happy, safe and successful 2015. I wish for you much good fortune.

More info soon.

Safe and successful commissioning to you always…