Work Package Management Overview

What is Advanced Work Packaging (AWP)?

Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) is a standardized way to plan the execution of a construction project including design, procurement, and installation. AWP aims to change the planning process to be execution driven: approaching the beginning of your construction project with the end in mind. In the past, planning was siloed, Engineering first, then Procurement, and finally Construction. AWP starts with the priorities of Construction and or commissioning and works backwards.

The Work Packaging module of InEight Plan provides an organized platform to break down your project into manageable scopes of work. Work packages can be developed to include all items necessary to complete the scope as well as all constraints that would impede progress.

Work Packages

There are three levels of work package definition that can be used in InEight Plan:

• Construction Work Area (CWA)

• Construction Work Package (CWP)

• Installation Work Package (IWP)

Using the scenario above as an example, assume that you initially break the project into two construction work areas (CWA): North Area and South Area. You break each area of work into three different construction work packages: Earthwork, Foundation, and Steel Erection. From there, you can break each construction work package into multiple installation work packages so you can plan at a detailed level and identify the specific constraints, components, safety and quality risks.

Construction Work Package (CWP)

A construction work package (CWP) defines a logical and manageable division of work within the construction scope. CWPs are aligned with the project execution plan (which includes the construction plan) and the WBS. The division of work is defined such that CWPs do not overlap within a discipline. CWPs are to be measurable and in alignment with project controls. CWPs are the basis for the development of detailed installation work packages. They should also align with engineering and procurement work packages. A typical CWP includes the following:

• Safety requirements

• At least one EWP

• Schedule

• Budget (work hours/cost/productivity)

• Environmental requirements

• Quality requirements

• Special resource requirements

A CWP can also contain activity, material, and contract components.

A CWP may be divided by area, system, or as otherwise determined by the project (construction) execution plan. In general, it is better to develop CWPs by discipline. A large project will likely contain multiple CWPs. CWPs can be the basis of contractual scopes of work. A contractual scope may contain more than one CWP. Complete specifications of CWPs grow over time to include productivity factors, detailed cost reports, and other considerations.

Installation Work Package (IWP)

An installation work package (IWP) is the deliverable that enables a construction work crew to perform work in a safe, predictable, measurable, and efficient manner. An IWP is scoped to be manageable and “progressable”; it is typically of limited size such that a crew can complete the work in about a week. An IWP contains the necessary documentation supporting workface execution. IWPs should be approved by the responsible stakeholders, and all constraints should be completed before issuance to the field. A typical IWP includes the following:

• Work package summary – inclusive of description of work, location, system or facility code, originator, contact information, sequenced work steps, reference documents, estimate of work hours and quantities, cost codes, witness or hold points, and special comments quantity work sheet

• Safety hazard analysis, specific to tasks in work package

• Material Safety Data Sheet

• Drawings (engineering and vendor design)

• Specifications (engineering and vendor design)

• Change documents (i.e., field change request, deficiency report/non-conformance report and design change notice)

• Manufacturer’s installation instructions model shots

  • Bills of Materials

  • Required tools

  • Installation test results forms

  • As-built documentation

  • Inspection checklists

  • Completion verification signatures

All elements necessary to complete the scope of the IWP should be organized and delivered before work is started. As the originator, you should cover the work with the responsible safety, quality, superintendent, and craft personnel in a preparatory meeting, with special focus on anticipated constraints.

Generally, the scope of work associated with the IWP should be small enough that it could be completed by a single foreman and crew within a pre-defined block of work hours. Work hour blocks should be between 500 and 1,000 hours. An IWP contains all applicable and pertinent documents in support of safe and efficient installation of a specific portion of a system by a given trade. These documents are written specifically for the crew performing the activity.