AVEVA VPRM 9.

6
Managing projects faster, better, more economically

Executing an engineering project is a complex process. It involves workflows that

require the collaboration of many participants: the client, various engineering
disciplines, procurement and construction personnel, vendors and subcontractors.
Vast quantities of technical, financial and administrative data are generated during
the life of a project. This data is created and shared across many locations that are
often separated by considerable distances and time zones.

Business Benets
Comprehensive report writing
capabilities allow for
information to be readily
available to enable fast,
well-informed management
decisions.

AVEVA VPRM is an integrated engineering IT solution suite that supports all phases of
the process plant engineering workflow. From engineering design and specification,
through 3D layout to procurement, materials management and project control, VPRM
provides unrivalled data integrity, within a framework of applications which is flexible
enough to meet the diverse requirements of users. It can also integrate with other
engineering solutions, many analysis packages, business systems and CAD engines.

Accurate management of
resources means reduced
waste, optimal ordering lead
times, control of schedule, all
providing reductions in time
and cost.

VPRM facilitates the management of risk, improves the quality of execution, reduces
costs and provides project control throughout the life of a project. VPRM helps to
ensure that:

Consistent and controlled

documents improve project
quality and reduce man-hours
by getting the project right
first time.

The right materials are delivered to the right place, at the right time.
The right documents are issued at the right time, to the right person.
Progress and costs are accurately monitored.
Management decisions are based on up-to-date, accurate and timely data.
Coherent historical data is available for use when bidding for new projects.
Accurate and detailed data can be extracted for management reporting.

VPRM's architecture with a Web

interface allows for exceptional
collaboration across multilocation project teams,
enabling more efficient global
working.
Sophisticated interaction with
the AVEVA PDMS 3D plant
design system and the AVEVA
VPE engineering database
system saves time and cost on
projects, by ensuring that
material management activities
are consistent with the
engineering specification.

Mapping of major Business Areas and AVEVA VPRM functionality

Fast implementation. VPRM's

preloaded templates, together
with the highly-experienced
AVEVA support team, allow you
to quickly implement VPRM
fully or in part, integrating it
with your existing systems and
processes.

PLANT

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Key Features
Project Management

Identifying and Requisitioning Material

VPRM gives project managers full visibility of project progress, and

ensures controlled access to project data.

The controlled release, on an object basis, of tagged items from the

P&IDs, equipment list and instrument index, ensures that the correct
items are requisitioned and subsequently procured. When design changes
occur, the items affected are proactively highlighted for appropriate
action, wherever they are within the supply chain. As the design matures,
the preliminary Material Take Off (MTO) can be compared to the current
MTO. This means that the forecast for total material usage can be
successively adjusted to the final amount. As a result, materials
managers can place an initial order for material early on, then adjust the
order later to ensure that they only receive the material that is actually
needed. VPRM facilitates the control of bulk material for all disciplines,
guaranteeing total integrity throughout process design (P&IDs), detailed
design and layout, and requisitioning.

Complete Overview of Project Progress

All project data is available for use in the project management functions
of a project. The object-based approach of VPRM means that an item can
be easily tracked through the P&ID stage to 3D, and into materials
management. In this way, VPRM gives project managers a complete
overview of project progress, with a minimum of effort.
Project Control
Access control and authority rights can be set up to exactly reflect the
contract terms between the various parties working on the contract. This
ensures that only personnel with the correct authority can update or
change data.
Using VPRM's data object technology it is possible to record and monitor
the status and maturity of the design data. This information can be used
to make tactical decisions affecting project progress for example, to
expedite information that is holding up the project, or to stop design
work on an area where the input data is immature, meaning that the
design will have to be reworked later.
Change Management
All design development is recorded so that progress reports can be
created to assist in tracking changes. When monitoring a project,
proactive notification of changes in status is a key requirement.
To assist this process, VPRM can be used to distribute an automated
email, configured to reach the right people, easily and with no manual
intervention. An example of this would be communicating changes in
engineering requirements identified by the issue of a material
requisition.
Information Management

Design Document Control

VPRM's Design Document Control integrates with document management
systems, enabling a project manager to control the issue, and monitor
the progress, of documents as they are identified, produced or received,
reviewed, used and completed. VPRM integrates document workflow
information, and maintains a consistent, project-wide methodology for
document numbering, monitoring and control, so that a significant
improvement in document production can be realised. Reports are
generated to show the status of document progress, and to highlight
deviations from project forecasts and plans, allowing appropriate
corrective measures to be taken.
Vendor Document Control
Controlling the large volume and complexity of vendor documents can be
a major problem. A project needs to minimise the amount of
documentation requested, whilst ensuring it has sufficient content to
meet its design, installation, and operational needs. It must also monitor
the review and approval process, and control the distribution process.
VPRM supports all these tasks and ensures the timely delivery of
documents to meet both the detailed engineering and the construction
programmes.

Project management has traditionally involved finding project

information by analysing detailed reports and holding time-consuming
and expensive meetings with managers and lead engineers. VPRM allows
management to concentrate on real management.
The detailed data input by departmental users is automatically collated
to present an easily assimilated, high-level management report for
review, action and inclusion in monthly reports. This is achieved through
up-to-date, reliable, factual data presented in the form of trend graphs
and highlighted problem performance-versus-target matrices.
Information management can cover materials, documents, progress and
productivity, and costs. The result is the realisation of more effective and
proactive management, significantly reducing project risk at lower manhour costs.
Materials Management
Delivering the right material, in the right quantity, to the right place, at
the right time, is a fundamental requirement of any project. VPRM
enables you to control all material throughout its full lifecycle from
initial identification by the engineering department, through
procurement, to final installation, thus reducing the risk of equipment
surplus and/or equipment delays.

AFD - Planned

AFD - Actual

AFD - Forecast

AFC - Planned

AFC - Actual

AFC - Forecast

100

80

60

40

20

-0
01-Apr-06

01-Mar-06

01-Jun-06

01-Jul-06

Design Documents Status Graph

01-Aug-06

01-Sep-06

01-Oct-06

01-Nov-06

01-Dec-06

Procurement
VPRM proactively supports and controls the full procurement lifecycle
through:
Controlled receipt of requisitions from the engineering department.
Enquiry production and bid receipt (also enabling vendors to submit
bids electronically).
Bid analysis.
Purchase order production (the complete package via integral
Microsoft Word link).
Expediting and inspection.
Despatch and shipping to the material's final destination, whether
local or international.
Managing Materials for Construction
Delivery dates for all materials are set during procurement to meet the
construction programme. VPRM continuously tracks delivery of materials,
which means that site planners can easily monitor the availability of
required materials from inventory or by their forecast delivery date. This
clear visibility of planned deliveries allows construction managers to
check schedules, to identify problems early, and expedite the material
and reschedule workpacks as necessary. Using these tools, managers are
in full control of their work, using their skills and expertise to optimise
the construction process on a day-by-day basis. At this stage, the
majority of the cost benefits are realised. In particular, customers using
VPRM will have reduced surplus material and minimise the issues of
subcontactor claims.

Material Delivery Status Graph

Fast Implementation
Unlike other products, VPRM can quickly be implemented and ready for
project use. It comes with a wealth of ready-to-use quality reference
data, such as material catalogue data and vendor document requirement
schedules. It can use and generate specifications, and can interact/
integrate with the rest of the AVEVA Plant products, as well as with other
commercially available and in-house systems.
Complete or Partial Solution

Cumulative Planned

Cumulative Forecast

Cumulative Actual

Period Planned

Period Forecast

Period Actual

VPRM offers most benefits when used in its entirety but,

because of its modular nature, a customer can select to
use just some of its functions. VPRM can be used either as
the total solution, or as a partial solution alongside
other in-house or third-party software, for the control
and management of all aspects of a project from
beginning (preliminary estimates) to end (construction
complete).

25

20

15

10

01-Sep-06

01-Aug-06

01-Jul-06

01-Jun-06

01-May-06

01-Apr-06

01-Mar-06

Materials Management Status Graph

01-Feb-06

01-Jan-06

01-Dec-05

01-Nov-05

01-Oct-05

-0

Key Features (continued)

Added Value for PDMS Users

Seamless Integration

VPRM is a particularly effective solution when used alongside AVEVA

PDMS. When implemented in full, and used with PDMS, VPRM is
particularly effective, and operates as a seamless, integrated solution.

As with all quality software, an essential requirement is for all the

various disciplines and departments to work on the same, approved data.
By achieving this, not only are man-hours saved and errors reduced, but
the resultant data integrity will go a long way towards achieving a quality
project. Consequently, VPRM is designed to ensure this is achieved, not
only between VPRM's own functions, but also across the entire suite of
project execution systems.

Significant man-hour savings have been realised in piping

specification production.
Significant savings in staff costs are achievable as a result of the
reduced skill levels required for producing piping specifications.
Total integrity is ensured between material details on piping isometrics
and requisitions / purchase orders.
Easy-to-use Data Input / Output Facilities
Whilst VPRM is a large and sophisticated application, it has been
designed with easy-to-use facilities for both data input and output. Data
can be input via either a set of user-friendly screens or using bulk data
input facilities, via Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, for example.
EPC contractors and their clients want engineers to spend their valuable
and expensive time on executing projects, not on designing reports, so
VPRM is delivered with a comprehensive suite of standard reports that
will address the vast majority of a project's needs. But each individual
project and client naturally has specific needs that cannot be
anticipated, so VPRM also provides sophisticated user report-writing
tools.

About AVEVA PDMS

About AVEVA VPE

PDMS is a datacentric, multidisciplinary design environment

for the 3D modelling of process
plant. It has modules for the
design of equipment, piping,
HVAC, structure and cable trays.
Modelling is carried out using a
customer-defined catalogue and
specification, in a full 3D
environment, with the support of
tools that ensure a clash-free
design. A full range of drawings
and pipe isometrics can be
produced automatically from the
model.

VPE Workbench is an integrated

engineering database which
manages the evolving engineering
descriptions of all tagged items in
a plant.
VPE P&ID is a P&ID drafting
module that also provides two-way
synchronisation of P&IDs with the
Workbench database.

AVEVA believes the information in this publication is correct as of its publication date. As part of continued product development, such information is subject to change without prior notice and is related to the current
software release. AVEVA is not responsible for any inadvertent errors. All product names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective holders.
Copyright 2007 AVEVA Group plc. All rights reserved. VPRM/DS/07

PLANT
AVEVA Group plc
High Cross Madingley Road Cambridge CB3 0HB UK
Tel +44 (0)1223 556655 Fax +44 (0)1223 556666
www.aveva.com