Front-end loading

Although 85-90% of the costs are incurred during the EPC part the of the project, quality, cost, and schedule is determined during the front-end-loading stage. 

Projects are initiated at the management level either to take advantage of a perceived business opportunity or to comply with a mandatory government regulation, usually concerning environmental protection. 

The initial work is done under the direct responsibility of the Venture Manager  

The Project Manager usually joins the project during the project development stage and supports the Venture Manager by providing  

Estimates for large projects are normally prepared by staff estimators or a contractor. However, the Project Manager must be capable of at least spotchecking them and ascertaining that sufficient information is provided to prepare realistic execution plans. On small projects, the Project Manager is frequently required to prepare estimates and is expected to be capable of doing so. 

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There are practical reasons why fire protection issues need to be addressed early in a project (at the front-end loading stage). These may not always be obvious, especially at facilities where design is not governed by a building code. 

In periods of high inflation, the results of various estimates and accuracy may overlap. At such times, four categories may be more suitable, namely, study, prehminary definitive, and detailed categories. At present, some conmanies employing the front-end loading (PEL) process for project definition and execution use three categories ... 

ASPEN acquired ICARUS in 2000 and developed Process Evaluator based on Questimate that is used for conceptual design, known as front-end loading (FEL). More information on FEE and valueimproving process (VIP) is found later in Sec. 9. Basic and detailed estimates are coupled with a business decision framework in ASPEN-TECH ICARUS 2000. 

Introduction Front-end loading (FEL) is the process by which a company develops a detailed definition of the scope of a capital project that meets corporate bnsiness objectives. The term frontendloading was first coined by the DnPont company in 1987 and has been used throughout the chemical, refining, and oil and gas industries ever since (Porter, James B., E. I. DuPont de Nemours and... 

EEL (front-end loading) The process by which a company develops a detailed definition of the scope of a capital project that meets corporate business objectives. 

Making Transformation Happen - Front-end Loading with Content... 

We have seen in a number of situations that such perspectives allow short diagnostics (i.e., of around one week) to be conducted, which lead to clear targets and identification of the main improvement levers. This results in heavy front-end loading of operational programs and accelerates change. 

They should front-end load their programs based on this joint understanding via individual target-setting and program design. 

Operational Improvement - the Bar Is Rising 227 Making Lean Operations Happen in Chemicals 230 Defining Relevant Aspects of Successful and Sustainable Operational Transformations 231 Making Transformation Happen - Front-end Loading with Content 233... 

Development (or oversight) of an adequate Front End Loading (FEL) package. 

As viewed in Figure 3.1, the front end loading has three phases business planning, preliminary engineering, and project planning. 

Sufficient Front End Loading. The amount of Front End Loading done at the time of project authorization has been shown to directly affect the ability of a project to meet its goals. We have mentioned Front End... 

Understanding the permitting requirements is a critical element of the Front End Loading. 

The last, but very important, phase of a construction project is the plant startup. On a major project this is as significant an event as Front End Loading or Design Construction. 

The successful startup must begin at the very onset of the project. Its planning must be part of the Project Execution Plan developed during Front End Loading ... 

As mentioned in the introduction, startup planning must begin during Front End Loading. 

Darryl W. Hertz, B.S. Manager, Front-End Loading and Value-Improving Practices Group, KBR (Front-End Loading, Value-Improving Practices)... 

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