Verifying system functionality and optimizing equipment for large construction, oil, and gas projects is no easy task. The commissioning process that’s part of the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning (EPCC) contract for complex infrastructure projects requires patience and intense organization to avoid unexpected problems and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Commissioning software can automate, monitor, and streamline the commissioning process, which can help commissioning managers and teams avoid challenges that commonly arise with large projects.

Here, we discuss the functionalities of commissioning software, common commissioning challenges, and how this software can deliver commissioning support for more efficient projects.

What Is Commissioning Software?

Commissioning software is software used to manage and automate the process of ensuring that equipment, facilities, and systems meet specific requirements while operating as intended. It replaces traditional methods – like paper and spreadsheets – to streamline workflows and project tracking for greater efficiency. All the necessary information for commissioning is housed in one place, from documentation on test procedures to compliance verification.

Commissioning software is commonly used for projects in the construction, oil, and gas industries due to their large scale, complexity, and heavily regulated nature. A commissioning system can:

• Improve productivity by automating certain processes
• Save businesses money by identifying issues early on
• Optimize contract management
• Monitor compliance status to ensure requirements are being met
• Ensure optimal performance across systems

How Commissioning Software Can Support Common Challenges

Organization and accountability are crucial for large commissioning projects to avoid delays and costly mistakes. All commissioning activities contribute to a project’s success, from establishing a workable commissioning schedule to performance testing.

Here are a few common commissioning challenges and how commissioning software can solve them.

Challenge: Inconsistent Quality Control

Commissioning is sometimes handled by commissioning teams, where each team member plays a different role in the process. This can lead to inconsistent quality and patchwork practices that differ.

Quality can also be compromised when there is a lack of accountability, such as when team members have different definitions of “ready,” and when the commissioning process for a project isn’t well-defined or thoroughly documented.

How software can help:

Using the same software throughout the life of a project helps standardize commissioning processes so they remain consistent from planning to operation. Commissioning software keeps every team member informed and aligned on quality control by:

• Documenting and monitoring test procedures
• Identifying any issues with commissioning reports
• Ensuring the necessary specifications are achieved by all project components
• Tracking completion milestones
• Clarifying roles, responsibilities, and who each task is assigned to

Challenge: Communication Gaps

Commissioning projects require collaboration across stakeholders and customers to stay on track and ensure success. At times, contractors or engineers delivering project progress information to the commissioning manager may fail to keep them in the loop.

This can lead to unnecessary back-and-forth calls and emails for status updates, wasting valuable time for both the contractor and manager. It can also lead commissioning managers to make decisions based on outdated data rather than the latest project updates.

How software can help:

One of the benefits of commissioning software is its ability to alleviate communication pain points for large projects. Here are several features it offers to help with this:

• Real-time updates: This software tracks project updates and sends notifications in real time to keep everyone aware of what has been accomplished, what’s in progress, and what areas require immediate attention or future action.
• Mobile app access: Some software providers offer remote access via a mobile app, allowing team members to access the software on site or in the field for efficient and timely communication and easy information access.
• Communication tools: Communication tools, like punch list comments and shared dashboards, are available for better collaboration and alignment.
• Integration with other software: Commissioning software can be integrated with other software that team members may use for projects, such as PowerBI and Microsoft Excel, to create a single source of truth.

Challenge: Manual Process Mistakes

Inputting data manually, whether on a computer or on paper, always carries a risk of human error. A piece of information may not be entered correctly, which can affect a project’s success. The same can be said for monitoring data using a manual process, as critical information can be overlooked and negatively impact the health of a project.

How software can help:

Commissioning software can reduce the likelihood of mistakes associated with manual processes by automating certain tasks, like generating reports, monitoring compliance, and sharing status updates with all team members.

Accurate data is crucial for making informed decisions. With real-time automations, you’ll be able to quickly identify trends, resolve issues, efficiently allocate resources, and more.

Automating previously manual processes also boasts the benefit of saving team members time, allowing them to focus their skills on higher-value tasks.

Challenge: Missing Documentation

Having the proper documents on hand is essential to large commissioning projects. From equipment certifications and training reports to drawings, there are a vast number of files needed for every project.

It can be challenging to keep track of everything – especially when this responsibility is shared among many team members. When certain project documents are missing, negative outcomes can develop, including:

• An exceeded budget
• Failure to meet industry standards
• Delays in project development
• Poor decision making

How software can help:

Commissioning software streamlines access to all the necessary documents for a project by storing them in a dedicated and centralized place. As a result, the risk of losing them is reduced, and locating certain files no longer requires searching multiple systems or physical locations. Plus, you can take advantage of search and filter features to quickly find the information you need.

During the closeout process, this software continues to help teams stay organized by compiling all required documentation in a comprehensive turnover package.

Challenge: Lengthy Commissioning Processes

The commissioning process can become long and drawn-out with so many project components to verify. While these support services are important for safety and ensuring functional systems, they can be costly for companies if the predicted timeline is exceeded.

How software can help:

Having software to manage the commissioning process can help reduce commissioning time by empowering you with a proactive approach.

From project start-up to completion, commissioning software helps guide engineering teams and other personnel by identifying issues with features like real-time reporting and automated compliance management. Because of this, you won’t be surprised with an excessive amount of problems during commissioning – you’ll have already caught a lot of them, saving time and headaches.

Get Commissioning Support With TrackerCheck

From ensuring consistent quality standards to maintaining a library of required documents, there’s no shortage of challenges faced by commissioning teams. This is especially true when managing large projects. Commissioning software can provide support by streamlining and improving operations and accuracy.

TrackerCheck is a commissioning software that can be customized to specific industries. It offers real-time data analysis and seamless integrations with other systems to ensure a synchronized operation. It can help you standardize your projects and meet your specific needs with custom fields.

Get your commissioning projects up and running faster than ever with comprehensive commissioning support. Request a TrackerCheck demo today!