Abstract
This paper provides a Case Study in Front End Project Realization digitalization from the Domain perspective, with a focus on the methodology used, process enhancements that were enabled through automation, and lessons learned during the transformation.
The transformation has been an iterative process, first focusing on digitalizing modules within the Front End work process and evolving into a multi-discipline integrated digital application. Along the journey, application of Agile project strategies enabled continuous enhancements to be identified and implemented through lessons learned, formal design thinking reviews, new idea generation and informal engagements with other disciplines commencing their digital journey. The process enhancements include:
New Ways of Working to seamlessly integrate Front End technical and cost analytics engines, and across broader enterprise digital Field Development processes.
New Sources of Insight to expand ideation using cross industry learnings, maximize use of extensive internal project data, and embedded Best in Class benchmarking.
The Front End digitalization process identified significant value to stakeholders through increased pace of delivery, improved early concept definition with limited human intervention, increased cost accuracy, and increased confidence in the results through replication, improved data supply and benchmarking rigor. Specific value unlocks are seen across Front End Loading (FEL) i.e., pre-FEL to FEL-2 stages and will be presented. Through incorporation of enhanced data and insights, improved cost compression and decision-making quality has also been identified and subsequently will improve the project economics.
A number of challenges through the transformation process were identified. These included: integration or replacement of legacy technical and cost applications; identifying and digitalizing a wide range of internal engineering tools and data sources needed for a comprehensive digital Front End process; efficiency of translating technical requirements to the digital team through comprehensive mapping of design and experienced-based rules; and re-shaping Front End technical focus from deliverable generation to targeted assurance, value obsession and risk management. While major focus has been on the integration of internal technical and cost applications, significant challenges were also identified in integration of external applications and Application Programming Interface (API) readiness to allow interaction between the applications and the Front End digital application i.e., Concept Factory. And finally, challenges in achieving a high performance team with the right balance of Domain, translators and programmers will be discussed.
