Engineering Change Management for Retrofit Design of Variable Tank Capacities
The Way We executed the Project
Client: Leading Process Equipment Manufacturer
Industry: Industrial Equipment Manufacturing
Services: Engineering Change Management (ECM), P&ID Updates, Component Placement & Re-routing, Retrofit Design Support
Project Background
The client, a leading process equipment manufacturer, was working on a retrofit design that required frequent changes in the tank capacity. These changes significantly affected the design and placement of critical components, such as blowers, motors, and instrumentation. Every alteration in the tank size impacted the piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID), requiring a robust Engineering Change Management (ECM) process to ensure accuracy without compromising real-time installation quality.
Our Scope
Our role involved managing continuous engineering change notifications (ECNs) while tracking and documenting all changes to ensure consistency across the design. The challenge was to optimize the placement of blowers, motors, and instrumentation as per the updated P&IDs, while carefully monitoring the impact of each modification on the overall system performance and manufacturability.
Project Management Approach:
- Change Analysis & Impact Assessment: Conducted detailed assessments of each change request to determine the downstream effects on component placement, system integration, and operational performance
- ECN Documentation: Maintained an organized and systematic process for managing engineering change notifications, with detailed logs and version control to ensure traceability
- P&ID Updates & CAD Model Revisions: Updated P&IDs and 3D CAD models regularly based on the changes in tank capacities and component configurations
- Interdepartmental Coordination: Engaged with cross-functional teams, including procurement, manufacturing, and installation teams, to ensure that all design updates were accurately communicated and implemented
- Risk Mitigation & Validation: Monitored risks associated with real-time installation and developed strategies to ensure minimal disruptions and errors during on-site setup
What Value Added
- Optimized Design Flexibility: Created modular designs for easy adaptation to varying tank capacities, reducing the time required to implement changes
- Improved Installation Accuracy: Ensured that real-time installation was not impacted by design changes, minimizing field rework and improving setup efficiency
- Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitated seamless communication between design, procurement, and installation teams, enabling smooth project execution
- Traceable Change Management: Implemented a transparent ECM process, ensuring that all design modifications were traceable and consistent with project specifications
Key Outcomes
Improved Design Efficiency
20%
Traceability in Change Management
100%
Reduced Installation Errors
15%
What Our Clients Appreciate
SBDC Engineering’s structured approach to engineering change management has been invaluable to the success of our retrofit design project. Their ability to handle continuous changes without compromising quality has ensured smooth installations and timely project execution.
Engineering Manager, Leading Process Equipment Manufacturer
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