All Industrial control and production systems projects have two macro phases. The 1st is the Tender Process and relates to every aspect that occurs prior to 2nd phase being Implementation. Feasibility studies may occur many years ahead of possible project implementation often resulting in limited time for execution. It is commonly assumed that the client supplies process knowledge and the integrator product knowledge. What is often overlooked is the overall procedure which should align these two areas of expertise.
THE NEED FOR UP FRONT TENDER SERVICES The 1st constraint the client has during this phase is a result of corporate governance and the need for a fair tender process this does not allow a specific integrator to scope works and quote on it. This is deemed unethical irrespective of the need for specific expertise. The 2nd constraint is when all integrators are not given the same scope making it difficult to compare tender responses. A 3rd constraint results from upfront specifications and standards not being clearly defined, resulting in scope creep. Often relevant quality specifications / contractual considerations are not specified leaving all parties exposed to risk. A 4th constraint often overlooked in the upfront process is practical specification of the approach. The 5th and final constraint is related to the tender process itself specifically a objective adjudication based on understanding not just the price but what has been excluded or the basis of assumptions. AI2SA aims to address these constraints.