Mujahid AkhtarProject Control Manager| Jereh Oil and Gas Engineering Corporation, UAEAbu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Anyone has experience in applying Agile Project Management (APM) for EPC or Construction Projects? I am trying to figure out as I think APM may not be suitable for EPC or Construction Projects?
Do you agree or disagree, please comment based on your experience? Saving Changes...
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Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear Mujahid
Interesting your question
Thanks for sharing
Do you already use hybrid approaches in practice?
In the preliminary phase you will make changes, with deliveries, until you reach the final project.
Can the construction phase have an adaptive approach? (Of course, always considering the legal constraints) Saving Changes...
Karl TwortSenior Project Manager| Fresh EggUnited Kingdom
This is a frequently asked question in this forum - if you search for "agile" and "construction" you should find at least a handful of threads over the past couple of years.
With advances such as additive manufacturing and component/modular-based construction, incremental delivery is possible in some cases, but as with ANY project, you need to profile its characteristics to understand whether a predictive, adaptive or some approach in between makes sense.
For many such projects, lean techniques might be more applicable than agile life cycles.
However, regardless of the life cycle utilized, we and all key stakeholders (e.g. team, sponsor) should adopt an agile mindset to effectively reduce risk, increase team member commitment & engagement and (attempt to) deliver value early.
Kiron
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1 reply by Karl Twort
Dec 03, 2019 9:42 AM
Karl Twort
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That's why I provided the direct search link, above your post :)
Good advice.
Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
I agree with Kiron. There can certainly be opportunities to think outside the box for adopting new approaches and practices. Saving Changes...
Karl TwortSenior Project Manager| Fresh EggUnited Kingdom
Dec 03, 2019 7:27 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Mujahid -
This is a frequently asked question in this forum - if you search for "agile" and "construction" you should find at least a handful of threads over the past couple of years.
With advances such as additive manufacturing and component/modular-based construction, incremental delivery is possible in some cases, but as with ANY project, you need to profile its characteristics to understand whether a predictive, adaptive or some approach in between makes sense.
For many such projects, lean techniques might be more applicable than agile life cycles.
However, regardless of the life cycle utilized, we and all key stakeholders (e.g. team, sponsor) should adopt an agile mindset to effectively reduce risk, increase team member commitment & engagement and (attempt to) deliver value early.
Kiron
That's why I provided the direct search link, above your post :)
Good advice. Saving Changes...
Jorge EscotoDirector of PM/PMO| CET Professionals ServicesSan Pedro Sula, Cortes, Honduras
Mujahid:
I suggest to take advice from experts using the tools, not just academics, or consultants. I have made that question to several experts and found that Agile professionals will tel you "yes, definitely". But none of these have really tried it.
Pure predictive professionals will tell you "no, it is non applicable".
So I asked professionals with both skills and experiences and they all have concluded that agile is not for EPC/Construction.
Changes in the design of a building, electrical substation, water treatment plant, steam/condensate system, etc is too expensive when done during project execution. So, you definitely want to have the final project designed from the first step.
I manage an EPC-PMO. We have made several attempts to agile and concluded, along with experts, it is not really applicable to majority of our projects.
You can apply some of Agile idea in an EPC construction project.
You can do the E using BIM technologies it will let you build the design progressivelly or by iteration, then real size room to try various configuration for the user to improve. That would be valid if you build many of the same room as in hospitals and hotels.
For P and C, I don't see
LEAN is more frequent in construction. Saving Changes...
Mujahid AkhtarProject Control Manager| Jereh Oil and Gas Engineering Corporation, UAEAbu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Thanks, everyone for the responses and these are very helpful and informative. Saving Changes...
Agile Project Management, which originated in software development, has been increasingly applied to various industries, including Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects and Construction projects. While Agile was initially developed for software projects, its principles and practices can be adapted and applied to manage EPC and Construction projects effectively. Here's how Agile principles and practices can be applied in these contexts:
Flexibility and Adaptability: Agile emphasizes adaptability to changing requirements and customer needs. In EPC and Construction projects, changes in scope, design modifications, or unforeseen challenges are common. Agile allows project teams to respond quickly and efficiently to these changes by promoting frequent communication and collaboration.
Incremental and Iterative Delivery: Agile promotes incremental delivery, where the project is broken down into smaller, manageable components or iterations. For EPC and Construction projects, this means delivering work packages or phases in a modular manner. Each iteration's output is evaluated, and improvements are made based on feedback, allowing for continuous improvement throughout the project.
Customer Collaboration: Agile emphasizes close collaboration with stakeholders, including clients and end-users. In EPC and Construction projects, engaging clients throughout the project ensures that the delivered solutions align with their expectations and needs.
Empowered Project Teams: Agile encourages self-organizing and cross-functional teams. In EPC and Construction projects, this means empowering project teams to make decisions and find solutions collaboratively, improving communication and reducing delays.
Continuous Feedback and Learning: Agile promotes regular feedback loops for continuous improvement. In EPC and Construction projects, periodic reviews and retrospectives help identify areas for improvement and implement lessons learned for future phases or projects.
Prioritization and Focus: Agile principles prioritize the most valuable features or tasks, enabling project teams to focus on delivering high-impact components first. In EPC and Construction projects, this means prioritizing critical work packages or phases to meet project milestones efficiently.
Visual Management: Agile often uses visual tools, such as Kanban boards, to manage work progress. In EPC and Construction projects, visual management helps project teams monitor the status of tasks, identify bottlenecks, and optimize resource allocation.
Lean Principles: Agile and Lean principles share common ground in eliminating waste and maximizing value. In EPC and Construction projects, adopting Lean practices, such as Just-In-Time delivery of materials, can improve project efficiency and reduce costs.
While Agile principles can be adapted for EPC and Construction projects, it's essential to consider the specific nature and complexities of each project. Some challenges, such as long lead times for materials or regulatory requirements, may require careful consideration in implementing Agile practices.
Agile Project Management software tools, such as Jira, Trello, or Microsoft Azure DevOps, can be used to facilitate Agile practices, including backlog management, sprint planning, progress tracking, and collaboration.
Overall, Agile Project Management offers a flexible and collaborative approach that can enhance the efficiency and success of EPC and Construction projects by promoting adaptability, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction. Saving Changes...
