Gate Review as a Project Management Tool for Optimal Outcome A Hypothetical Case Study

Roderick Facey and Charles

Abstract

The objective of this white paper is to explain the best way of using gate review as an effective tool for the optimal management of projects. Presented here are lessons learned during the past many years of managing/ coordinating million and billion dollar projects across North America. In all significant projects, a gate review is generally conducted using customized check lists to generate a qualitative or semi-quantitative information on the many levels of risks associated with each of the potential hazards and operability problems that could adversely impact the allocated budget, raise liability concerns, and delay in completing the project. The check lists serve as an event sieve incorporating all probable situations that may occur during the life of the project, and thereby making the gate review process meaningful and targeted in developing a risk matrix that quantify the likelihood and severity of a bad event happening. Thus having a reliable risk matrix brings substantial savings in completing the project on time, in safeguarding HS&E in the workplace & surrounding communities, and would bring down future operating costs in many ways from insurance premiums to O&M costs. Thus this white paper summarizes some of the best means to conduct an enhanced gate review prior to field implementing a project for achieving maximum benefits.

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