Now that the outage season is almost over, have we learned anything? Were we able to project the end cost before we got to the end? Were we able to ensure that the original scope would still be completed? Were we able to handle unplanned scope? And how about the schedule? Did we, or will we come back on line, on time?

Now is the time to plan for a thorough debrief. Now is also the time to plan for some tune-up training based on what we just learned. How many of you actually do this? Who has, or takes, the time for this?

One excellent way to accomplish this is to look to a third party. An independent third party can review the outage records, interview the participants and develop a gap analysis of what happened versus what should have happened. Additionally, he/she can then develop a training refresher to be held sometime between now and the fall outage season.

This training could cover some industry best practices, compare them to how your outage/s was/were managed and suggest internal changes to enhance the management of the next set of outages. Don’t wait until everyone is overwhelmed with plans for the next outage. Be proactive and get started now.

If you have any questions on how to move forward, please let me offer some suggestions, or go to our website at www.ConstrBiz.comfor ideas.

Peter Hessler

Construction Business Associates, LLC

2310 Seven Lakes South

West End, NC 27376

910-400-3113 office

910-986-1812 cell

PGHessler@ConstrBiz.com

Author: Power Plant Construction Management:

A Survival Guide

Member: ASME, Lean Construction Institute, Common Arc

www.ConstrBiz.com 

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