Taxonomic categories for commissioning and startup hot spot strategies

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to better understand distinct solution strategy types for common commissioning and startup problems (Hot Spots) in the construction of industrial facilities. The authors also sought to better understand which solution strategy types offer the best value for the effort required.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a method of qualitative coding of text-based data to identify themes, patterns and trends from a collection of 178 commissioning and startup (CSU) solution strategies for the CSU Hot Spots. Coding categories emerged after multiple iterations. The authors also mapped high-value, low-effort solution strategies across the categories. Chi-squared testing and analysis of proportion statistics help quantitatively justify this qualitative research.

Findings

The authors identified 12 distinct coding categories and showed that they follow a non-uniform distribution via statistical testing. Those strategy types which provide particularly good value for the effort required are identified (such as quality assurance and control strategies), as well as those strategy types that do not.

Research limitations/implications

Research is limited to CSU for the construction of industrial facilities. The findings are also limited to a subset of the most commonly problematic CSU activities. Many findings may be beneficial for heavy civil and commercial CSU as well.

Practical implications

Coding categories, definitions and descriptions provide a good overview of all 178 solution strategies for CSU project professionals. Implementing certain types of solutions or solution programs may allow CSU managers to prevent multiple Hot Spots from becoming problematic or to keep problems already occurring from becoming worse. Managers will also benefit from knowledge about which strategy types are more likely to give a higher value for lower effort.

Originality/value

Qualitative coding and analysis of solution strategies for common CSU problems have never been conducted so rigorously in any other CSU study. This method has yielded results distinct from other CSU studies which have used quantitative methods. Insights from findings have advanced the body of knowledge surrounding problem-solving in the commissioning and startup sub-discipline.

Citation

Mock, B. and O’Connor, J. (2021), "Taxonomic categories for commissioning and startup hot spot strategies", Construction Innovation, Vol. 22 No. 1, pp. 120-140. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-07-2020-0118