Top 5 Insights for a Successful Turnaround: Balance competing priorities for safety-first

Industrial turnarounds (TARs) and shutdown projects are high pressure and high constraint. As such, it’s essential that steps are taken to increase visibility and predictability, optimizing workflows for safe, timely project delivery. 

We offer 5 insights for successful TARs and shutdown management, as follows: 

1. Quality assure information management to avoid data loss and inaccuracy. 
2. Make all project records transparent for full accountability of all stakeholders. 
3. Facilitate ease of communication to clarify responsibilities and save time. 
4. Balance competing workflow priorities to ensure safety. 
5. Avoid unnecessary operational interruptions with optimal materials management. 

This article focuses on the fourth point: balancing competing workflow priorities to ensure safe TARs. Balancing safety and efficiency in TARs and other necessary shutdowns requires accurate knowledge of all variables and astute coordination, all of which is possible through digital solutions. 

In pursuit of a harmonious coexistence between ongoing operations (and the myriad of demands therein) and shutdown activities (whether pre-planned for maintenance or otherwise), digital software solutions emerge as essential tools to ensure safety while optimizing efficiency. This article explores how the integration of digital systems aids in navigating the challenges of simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) during TARs and shutdowns, fostering a Safety First culture enabled by proactive decision-making thanks to enhanced visibility, clarity, access to information and real-time status. 

The necessity of digital solutions for safe Turnarounds 

A cornerstone of effective TAR and shutdown management is the ability to balance multiple workflow priorities in a way that prioritizes safety. Traditional paper-based methods often fall short in handling the dynamic nature of TARs in the context of industrial operations. Here's where digital software solutions step in, revolutionizing the approach to even the most constrained TAR projects. 

Digital systems allow for a comprehensive and easily accessible overview of the asset landscape for proactive TAR planning. By having a centralized platform from which to plan, manage and monitor TAR activities, project teams can harness reliable knowledge to make proactive decisions even under the most unpredictable circumstances.  

Whether a temporary shutdown is part of a rotational maintenance scheme or as an ad-hoc response, a digital system ensures that every activity is adequately planned for, correctly sequenced, and executed with precision and safety, minimizing operational disruptions and optimizing resource allocation. 

Navigating Turnarounds around Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS) 

TARs and other shutdowns must typically be navigated around SIMOPS, which can present a significant challenge in executing these projects safely and efficiently. The coexistence of moving parts, active systems, heavy machinery and diverse teams underscores the need for meticulous planning, coordination and anticipation of future events to ensure safety. The convergence of various workstreams demands real-time communication based on reliable status information. 

Digital TAR solutions offer a lifeline in navigating temporary shutdowns around SIMOPS effectively. For example, real-time visuals provide a clear understanding of the current status, while activity management tools help forecast workflows and resource allocation for optimal decision-making.  

Easily accessible, reliable digital information equips project managers and teams – both onsite and in the office – with the knowledge to seamlessly navigate around ongoing operations and maintenance activities to make informed decisions that prioritize safety. By mitigating risks associated with SIMOPS, digital solutions facilitate transparency and communication for smoother workflows that optimize TARs and shutdown project delivery. 

Knowledge is power for safe turnarounds 

A safety-first culture is essential for industrial EPC projects – TARs are no exception. The complexities of navigating around operational challenges while executing high-stakes tasks under pressure to remain on time and under budget require a robust framework that prioritizes the well-being of workers and the integrity of project delivery. Digital TAR solutions that enable access to archival and real-time asset and project information empower decision-makers with a comprehensive view so that decisions can be proactive – and safe – versus reactive. 

Knowledge is the linchpin in this safety equation. With accurate, up-to-date information at their fingertips, project managers can anticipate potential hazards, allocate resources strategically and make informed choices that safeguard both personnel and assets. This culture of informed decision-making fosters an environment where safety is not compromised for the sake of speed or efficiency. 

In the realm of industrial turnarounds and shutdowns, the power of digital solutions lies in the ability to provide reliable knowledge to anyone from anywhere and at any time – this is what facilitates proactive planning so as to mitigate hazards. By centralizing information, offering real-time status and enabling robust activity management, these solutions empower project stakeholders to navigate TARs around the complexities of SIMOPS with confidence. A safety-first culture is not negotiable in this realm, and digital solutions are instrumental in upholding this principle while optimizing project outcomes. 

With safety first, optimize Turnarounds with digital materials management 

Accessibility of asset and project information that is complete, accurate and transparent drives effective communication, accountability and safety during TARs and other temporary shutdowns. Efficient TARs, however, are also about managing discrete workflows and processes optimally. To accomplish this, contractors need manage materials in such a way as to avoid unnecessary delays.