Front End Planning Tools
The decision support tools outlined below were developed as part of rigorous research and development efforts supported by the Construction Industry Institute. Dr. Gibson was the brainchild of the PDRI tool and method in 1995, and has been very involved in all five of the PDRI tools, the FEP renovation and revamp guide, the alignment guide and the FEP overview publication listed below. Drs. Parrish and El Asmar were heavily involved in the development of the small project PDRI tools and FEED MATRS/PDRI-Industrial 5.0 respectively. Together our group has almost 50 years of experience looking at front end planning of capital projects across a spectrum of industry sectors. If you have any questions about these tools, implementation of FEP, training, or for that matter any of the publications cited elsewhere in the site, please do not hesitate to contact one of us.
Front End Engineering Design (FEED) Maturity and Accuracy Total Rating System (MATRS)(IR-331-2)
Overview
Assessing the maturity and accuracy of front end engineering design (FEED) to support phase-gate approvals is a critical task with significant impact on overall project success. Poor scope definition during FEED has been shown to be a major cause of project failure. The FEED MATRS tool directly addresses this problem to enhance the predictability of cost and change order performance of large industrial projects. This document and its accompanying software tool help project teams evaluate the maturity and accuracy of front end engineering design (FEED) for large, complex industrial projects, whether they involve new construction, renovation and revamp, or both. The FEED MATRS tool’s assessments of FEED accuracy and maturity are designed to be plotted on a four-quadrant matrix that is correlated with project perforamnce.
Project Definition Rating Index for Small Infrastructure Projects (IR 314a-2)
Overview
The Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) – Small Infrastructure Projects is a tool that identifies and describes 40 critical elements in the scope definition package for a small infrastructure project (generally those projects under $20 million USD). It enables project teams to identify project risk factors related to desired outcomes for cost, schedule and operating performance. It also helps the team capture mitigation action items and evaluates the completeness of scope definition at any point prior to detailed design and construction. The tool is designed for use during front end planning, which includes feasibility, concept and detailed scope definition. An integrated Excel spreadsheet helps the team in the assessment process.
PDRI: Project Definition Rating Index — Small Industrial Projects, (IR314-2)
Overview
The Project Definition Rating Index–Small Industrial Projects is a tool that identifies and describes 41 critical elements in a scope definition package for a small industrial project (generally those projects under $10 million USD). It enables project teams to identify project risk factors related to desired outcomes for cost, schedule, and operating performance. It also helps the team capture mitigation action items and evaluates the completeness of scope definition at any point prior to detailed design and construction. The tool is designed for use during front end planning, which includes feasibility, concept and detailed scope definition. An integrated Excel spreadsheet helps the team in the assessment process.
PDRI: Project Definition Rating Index — Building Projects, Version 4.0 (IR155-2)
Overview
The PDRI•Building Projects is one of the best tools for measuring the completeness of project scope definition on commercial and general building projects. It considers revamp and renovation, as well as project security issues. It contains 64 scope definition elements in an easy-to-use score sheet format.
Version 4.0 features minor changes to the text, stylistic revisions of the software tool (to make it match companion products), and significant improvements to its spreadsheet functions.
PDRI: Project Definition Rating Index — Industrial Projects, Version 5.0(IR113-2)
Overview
The PDRI•Industrial Projects is one of the best tools for measuring the completeness of project scope definition on industrial projects. This best-selling, notebook-style toolkit considers revamp and renovation, as well as project security issues. Its easy-to-use score sheet is based on the tool’s checklist of 70 scope definition elements.
Version 5.0 integrates RT-331’s FEED MATRS and with the PDRIIndustrial tool to create the PDRI Maturity and Accuracy Total Rating System (PDRI MATRS).
PDRI: Project Definition Rating Index — Infrastructure Projects, Version 4.0 (IR268-2)
Overview
This third and final volume of the popular PDRI series, the PDRI•Infrastructure addresses the complexity and variability of infrastructure projects. Considerations for revamp and renovation projects are included. Contains 68 scope definition elements in an easy-to-use score sheet format. The PDRI Infrastructure is one of the best tools for measuring the completeness of project scope definition on infrastructure projects of all sizes and types.
IR113-3 – Alignment During Pre-Project Planning: A Key to Project Success, Version 2.1
Overview
The updated second edition of this popular CII book explains the process of gaining and maintaining alignment, an integral part of the pre-project planning process.Includes the Alignment Thermometer, which can help the project team evaluate and improve its performance. One chapter covers key insights from managers of both owner and contractor organizations.
Version 2.1 introduces Microsoft®️ Word and Excel versions of the Alignment Thermometer.
SP268-3 – Adding Value through Front End Planning
Overview
Outlines the findings and lessons learned from over the past 20 years of CII research on the importance of front end planning for design, construction, and operation and maintenance. Presents this material in four sections: 1) the relevance of front end planning and the value it adds; 2) the CII tools for implementing front end planning best practices; 3) how to successfully use these tools; 4) how to sustain momentum after successful implementation.
IR242-2 – Front End Planning of Renovation and Revamp Projects, Version 1.1
Overview
Managing a project can be challenging during the best of times. This challenge is increased when modifying or renovating an existing facility. This implementation resource, which is based on extensive CII research, is intended to assist project teams that are working on renovation and revamp projects (or “R&R” projects), to achieve better project outcomes. It includes the Shutdown/Turnaround Alignment Readiness (STAR) Tool and Project Condition Investigation (PCI) cards.