Introduction

There is an alarming trend in the industry to discount the potential contribution of the Technical/Operations function to productivity improvement, product quality, and gains in market share. Principles taught in this training session will help you to understand the true nature and different techniques of problem-solving and problem prevention in the operational/process environment.

Excellent Troubleshooting skills are considered a core competency for 'Best-in-Class' industrial companies. If your company’s goals include minimizing downtime then this workshop is a must because it delivers rapid, safe Troubleshooting.

Objectives

• How to become a 'Top Gun' Troubleshooter by acquiring new skills

• To develop a structured approach to Troubleshooting and Problem Solving which uses common terminology and shared understanding

• To point the way to Continuous Improvement in the way you run your processes and make incremental efficiency gains

• To understand the difference between having techniques manual on the bookshelf - and making it work

• To identify the "motivated" people who should be the champions of Troubleshooting and Problem Solving - and who should just follow

• To understand work practices that "allow" success in Troubleshooting and Problem Solving by reducing the variability of your process

Methodology

The conference will be conducted in a facilitative style with a combination of lecture and practical exercises in the use of techniques, case studies, and a high level of lively debate and sharing of ideas. Delegates will be encouraged to introduce conferences of their own for discussion and analysis. Copies of all lecture materials, case studies, and workbooks will be provided.

Outlines

 Day 1: Introduction and Preparation

• Introduction to Process Plant Start-Up and Commissioning

• Organization and Roles

• Supplementary Topics

• Cost Estimation

• Spare Parts Planning

Commissioning Strategy

• Commissioning Strategy

• Mechanical Completion & Integrity Checking

• Pre-commissioning and Operational Testing

• Start-up/Initial Operation, Testing, and Acceptance

Day 2: Managing Risks during Commissioning

• Trouble Shooting and Problem Solving

• Risk Management

• Managing Safety and Quality

• Conclusion

Concepts

• The nature of process problems affecting performance

• Performance defined in terms of generic variables: Speed, Quality, and Cost

• Effort inputs in context - Asset-based or Business Process-based

• Structured approach - The Operations Process redefined

• Configuration; Operation; and Optimization

• Maturity Indexing: Planning, Control, Congruence, Empowerment

• 6 Big Losses, 7 Wastes

 Day 3: Process Plant and Machinery-Specific Issues

• Process Plant and Machinery Commissioning

• Instrumentation and Control Systems

• The Start-Up and Commissioning Planning and Control

• A Short-cut Approach to Planning

• Progress Monitoring and Control

• Earned Value Analysis

 Day 4: Tools and Techniques - Practical Experience

• Interactive and Dynamic variable relationships analysis

• Techniques introduction

• Tools introduction

• Problem Analysis

• Practical Use of Tools and Techniques

• Case Studies

• Tools & Techniques - selecting the right one

 People Issues

• Working practices - empowerment or impairment?

• Group dynamics

• Individual motivators

• Developing Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving skills

• Managing change

 Day 5: Operator, Maintainer, Designer Interface

• Cross-functional and Teamworking

• Introduction to the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving

• Auditing your process to a dynamic standard

• Effect of Maintenance/Operations strategy

• Development of Standards and Key Performance Indicators

• Life Cycle Costing, Design for Operation, Design for Maintenance

 Open Forum

• Revisit Concepts, Tools, and Techniques

• Your Problems - Case Studies

• Your Action Plan

• Wrap up