Primavera P6 What-If Analysis, Resourcing and Turnarounds

A turnaround is a very large undertaking. The first and foremost priority must be safety. Always keeping that in mind, the team must address all aspects of the in scope (known work) as well as found work (which has the potential for a few surprises!). Scheduling of such an event is a must!

I recently had the privilege of working a second tour with one of our client’s to assist with their 2014 turnaround event. Specifically, they required turnaround assistance with the project management, scheduling, schedule analysis and reporting of their recent turnaround. Most turnarounds are typically very busy, and this particular one did not disappoint. The team had to skillfully handle a few “curveballs”. We saw some very commonplace curves such as the shutdown of a unit which, for a number of reasons, took longer than originally anticipated. In this case the “what-if” analysis capabilities in Primavera P6 provided a very useful vehicle to work mitigation plans, which helped to handle the situation. We also encountered a number of thunder storms and rainy days, which can slow down, or in some cases, completely halt progress. Again, working “what-if” plans to view and review options due to weather restraints proved very useful.

Resourcing was another source of strength in the Primavera P6 schedule. Rolling up the resource profile to the required level and trade provided valuable resource monitoring for both the known scope and assessing the impact of found work. Progress and baseline information in the Primavera P6 schedule provided information utilized in reporting which was reviewed at many levels each shift and at management meetings.

I was also on site, working with their turnaround team, to assist with their 2013 turnaround event. I have completed three tours of on-site turnaround assistance at another client site, functioning as a lead scheduler on all three turnarounds. Additionally, I have conducted a pre turnaround schedule review and assisted in schedule development for other various clients. I have performed customized training for client personnel and facilitated many open T100 courses, Emerald’s custom course on how to specifically utilize Primavera P6 for Turnarounds, Shutdowns and Outages. All in all I am happy to say this was another successful Turnaround event and I look forward to my next adventure!