In a perfect world there is a theoretical process that should be followed however there is also the reality of delays that happen in projects.
All successful projects will require the following elements, this article shall not be delving into these issues as they are well known and defined which all are linked to the information in this article.

1. Engineering – Equipment selection – Design
2. Planning
3. Experienced project personnel

All projects will have elements of being different pending the company involved or even the project team and individuals in place as each will have their own preferred methods.

At approximately 5 months stage of being on the project in one weekly meetings of around 30 people consisting of shipyard, vendors and rig owner personnel the meeting started to get out of control and quite argumentative between the rig owner and the yard. Amongst all the various parties arguing the project lead shouted out does anyone really know where we are? There was deadly silence in the room no one answered, even though there was a schedule which was obviously only developed to meet the client’s requirements and schedule but had no reality to the actual project status. No one answered for a round 30 seconds.
The first person that spoke out was myself, I said I do not know the project status, but I can find out. By this I meant just developing a status of what had been commis

From this time, I stated to develop a complete a detailed project information management system on what was needed to be completed that would affect late startup of the commissioning, this included te

With all the above said, let me ask you what do you think is the most important element of successful project management and commissioning?
Is it planning?
Well yes and no, you will not be successful planning without the correct tools. unless planning is conducted. It is not just planning, so what other element if required for successful planning?

The answer is information.
Without detailed information, you cannot plan properly, now we are not just talking about general information, it is every single detail and element of a project, exceptionally detailed.
This includes every single cable, valve, piping spool, pieces of equipment, various inspections / procedures, processes identified and construction status, i.e., have the cables been installed, inspected, and tested, Engineering queries rectified, piping inspected, flushed, hydrostatically tested, procurement & equipment received, mechanical completion status, punch lists outstanding etc. Not only just this information but it must be linked to each system.
Every single element will affect the commissioning and final delivery of the project.