Common Commissioning Mistake #1

The most costly and easiest mistake to make during the commissioning process is to schedule the commissioning engineer to be onsite before the equipment is ready for operational testing. This oversight can lead to significant inefficiencies and frustrations for all parties involved. In most cases, the commissioning engineer is primarily present to make minor adjustments to the system and to provide orientation to the end users regarding its correct operation. However, this critical phase can only be effectively executed if the basic installation and setup of the equipment are fully complete and operational. Consider a scenario where you have booked the commissioning engineer for an entire week to be onsite, but there remains an additional two weeks of work before the equipment can even be powered on. In such a situation, the time that the commissioning engineer spends on-site becomes largely unproductive. There is only so much that can be accomplished in terms of system checks and preliminary adjustments if the foundational elements are not yet in place. This misalignment not only wastes valuable time but can also result in increased costs and potential delays in project timelines.

To prevent such a situation, careful monitoring of progress prior to procuring commissioning time is paramount to effective planning. Project managers should implement a robust scheduling system that includes regular updates on the installation progress. This might involve setting up milestones that need to be achieved before the commissioning engineer is brought in, ensuring that all preparatory work is completed and verified. Furthermore, communication between the installation team and the commissioning engineer should be maintained throughout the installation phase to confirm readiness. In addition, it is wise to build in some buffer time when scheduling the commissioning engineer. This allows for unforeseen delays in the installation process, which are common in complex projects. By ensuring that the equipment is truly ready for commissioning, organizations can maximize the effectiveness of the engineer’s time on-site, facilitating a smoother transition into operation and reducing the likelihood of costly rework or additional visits. Overall, strategic planning and communication are essential components of a successful commissioning process, ultimately leading to a more efficient and effective system deployment.