Engineering &
Design
Design
Operations provides input into this early project document to ensure the design will be operable, safe, and aligned with how the asset will run.
What is the Project Execution Plan (PEP) or Design Basis?
Ops input helps shape key project plans, cost, and schedule early.
This plan outlines how the project will be executed, including scope, schedule, cost, and roles—and Operations provides input to ensure it reflects how the asset will run.
What is the Project Execution Plan (PEP)?
Operations input helps shape scope, schedule, and execution strategy.
This term describes the overall “what the project is delivering” and what is included or not included.
What is scope?
Operations influences scope by defining what is required to run and maintain the asset.
This activity involves physically checking the installed equipment in the field to confirm it is built correctly before startup.
What is a walkdown?
Operations participates to verify the asset is ready and matches expectations before turnover.
This overarching process ensures the asset, organization, and business are prepared to safely operate a new or modified facility.
What is Ready for Operations (RFO)?
RFO integrates all readiness activities to enable a safe, operable startup and sustained performance.
During design, Operations defines how the asset will actually be run and maintained over its life.
What is Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Strategy?
This sets expectations for operation, maintenance, and long-term performance.
This tool is used to define tasks, responsibilities, timelines, and progress—and is often used by RFO to plan and track readiness work.
What is the Stage Planner (or project schedule)?
It helps translate scope into activities, owners, and completion targets and level of effort required.
This term refers to the timeline that shows when project work and readiness activities will happen.
What is the schedule?
Operations uses the schedule to align training, procedures, and readiness activities.
This process confirms the asset is safe to introduce energy or product before startup.
What is a Pre-Start-Up Safety Review (PSSR)?
It ensures the system is safe and ready before operations begin.
This plan defines how Operations work (people, procedures, training, and readiness deliverables) will be planned and executed across the project.
What is the RFO Execution Plan?
It is the main document that guides Operations readiness work through each stage.
This activity helps clarify “who does what” across Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, and Operations on a project.
What is a RASCI (roles and responsibilities matrix)?
It aligns accountabilities across all project stakeholders.
Operations inputs to this process help ensure the project budget reflects the real work required to operate, maintain, and train for the asset.
What is the cost estimate (or cost estimate basis)?
RFO inputs define scope, assumptions, and resource needs for operations readiness.
This term describes the expected accuracy and assumptions behind a project budget.
What is “basis of estimate”?
It explains what is included, excluded, and assumed in the cost estimate.
These are standardized tasks and confirmations used during commissioning to verify that systems and equipment are installed and functioning properly.
What are checksheets?
Used to confirm construction quality and system readiness during commissioning
This deliverable defines how equipment will be maintained, including spare parts, maintenance strategies, and reliability planning.
What is an Asset Management Strategy (or spare parts plan)?
It ensures the asset can be maintained and sustained once handed over.
Operations creates these during design so the plant can be safely started, run, and shut down once built.
What are operating procedures (or task inventories)?
These are core deliverables needed before startup and turnover.
This project management activity identifies potential issues early—like operability challenges or resource gaps—so they can be addressed before startup.
What is risk management (or the risk register)?
Operations plays a role by identifying operational risks and readiness gaps.
This term describes anything the project believes to be true but may not yet be confirmed.
What is an assumption?
Assumptions can create risk if they turn out to be wrong—important for Operations to challenge.
This defines the order and logic for bringing systems online and transitioning the asset from construction into operations.
What is the start-up sequence (or start-up plan)?
It sets the path for commissioning and startup activities.
This group of deliverables prepares operators to safely run the asset, including procedures, training, and competency development.
What is competency & training (or operational readiness deliverables)?
Covers procedures, training guides, and operator readiness before startup.
This checkpoint later in the project confirms that both the asset and the Operations team are ready to safely operate the facility.
➡️ ORC verifies readiness to accept and sustain operations before startup.
ORC verifies readiness to accept and sustain operations before startup.
This process tracks whether the project is on plan and highlights gaps between planned work and actual progress.
What is progress tracking (or stewardship / plan vs. actual)?
Used to monitor deliverables and ensure readiness work stays on track.
This term is used when work or requirements are unclear or not yet fully defined but will be completed later.
What is a “gap” (or scope gap)?
Gaps often show up as missing readiness work that Operations may inherit if not addressed early.
This term describes the formal handover of a completed system from construction/commissioning to Operations.
What is turnover?
It marks the transition where Operations takes custody of the system.
This concept ensures that all supporting functions (IT, HR, supply chain, etc.) are prepared to support the asset at startup.
What is business readiness?
It ensures the full organization—not just the plant—is ready to operate.