Redesign of Vendor-Data Processes for Industrial Projects

Abstract

The vendor-data processes within industrial piping design are very inefficient throughout the industry. Through personal interviews with procurement experts, the problems causing these inefficiencies were identified. The problems with vendor data were in the general areas of communication, coordination, and vendor selection. The improvement of these processes was achieved by first identifying the uncertainties in vendor data, designer reviews, and owner specifications, which are injected into various phases of the vendor-data cycle. After identifying the uncertainties, a process redesign was performed. A process redesign is an improvement on an existing process such as vendor-data coordination meetings. Other recommendations include vendor-data request forms and a vendor prequalification program. Every recommended process redesign will help improve the efficiency of vendor-data processes and consequently improve the efficiency of industrial piping design and installation by reducing delays and/or field rework. These recommendations have been validated by industry input.