Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) is a management strategy used in capital projects to improve predictability and efficiency in construction. This methodology shifts the focus from traditional sequential project phases to an execution-driven approach starting early in the planning process. This article explains the structure, core components, and systematic implementation of AWP in the field.
Defining Advanced Work Packaging (AWP)
Advanced Work Packaging is a project management methodology designed to optimize the planning and execution of industrial construction projects. It establishes a structured work process that begins during the initial stages of project development, often referred to as Front-End Loading (FEL). This approach mandates the alignment of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) activities much earlier than in traditional models. The goal is to ensure that construction crews receive all necessary information, materials, and tools precisely when required for installation. The Construction Industry Institute (CII) recognizes AWP as a best practice for significantly improving project performance across the capital projects sector.
Core Principles and Goals of AWP
The primary objective of Advanced Work Packaging is a significant improvement in labor productivity at the worksite. AWP maximizes the time craft workers spend on direct installation tasks, directly reducing non-productive time that often plagues large construction projects. This increased efficiency translates into greater predictability for project timelines and a substantial reduction in overall project costs.
The central principle involves determining the final execution sequence for construction and then logically working backward through the design and procurement phases. This “start with the end in mind” approach ensures that all upstream activities are sequenced specifically to support the most efficient construction schedule. Improved safety performance is also a major goal, achieved by pre-planning tasks to identify and mitigate hazards before the crew steps onto the site.
Understanding the Core Work Packages
AWP is structured around three distinct, hierarchical deliverables known as Work Packages, which organize the project’s technical information and physical tasks.
Engineering Work Package (EWP)
The system begins with the Engineering Work Package (EWP), which defines the scope of engineering design documentation required to support procurement and construction for a specific project segment. EWPs must achieve a high level of design completion before release, ensuring that all drawings, specifications, and vendor data are available for downstream planning activities.
Construction Work Package (CWP)
The EWP directly feeds into the Construction Work Package (CWP), which serves as the primary management control element for the construction team. A CWP groups a logical scope of installation work, typically aligned with a specific geographic area or system on the project site. Construction managers use the CWP to track progress, allocate resources, and ensure materials are tracked according to the sequence established by the Path of Construction.
Installation Work Package (IWP)
The smallest and most granular deliverable is the Installation Work Package (IWP), which details the work a single crew can complete over a short duration, usually between one and ten working days. The IWP is the actionable document used by foremen and craft workers at the worksite. It contains every necessary component for the task, including installation drawings, safety permits, quality control forms, and a complete bill of materials. The precision of the IWP ensures the crew can execute the task without waiting for information, tools, or materials, driving field productivity gains.
Implementing the AWP Workflow
Implementing the AWP methodology begins with defining the Path of Construction (PoC) early in the project life cycle, often during the Front-End Engineering Design phase. The PoC establishes the optimum sequence in which permanent facilities will be built, based on operational requirements, schedule constraints, and logical installation dependencies. This initial step requires input from the construction team to ensure the sequence is practical and maximizes field efficiency.
Once the PoC is established, the project team develops the Construction Work Packages (CWPs) by aligning engineering and procurement activities to match the defined sequence. This ensures that the design is completed and materials are delivered in the order needed for field execution. The planning team must proactively identify and resolve any constraints—such as missing drawings or delayed equipment—that could impede the construction schedule.
The final stage is Workface Planning (WFP), the process of breaking down the larger CWPs into the executable Installation Work Packages (IWPs). WFP occurs in the weeks immediately preceding construction and is a continuous process managed by a dedicated planner. This detailed planning ensures the crew foreman receives a complete, constraint-free IWP, confirming all prerequisites, from scaffolding to safety permits, are in place before the work begins.
Key Roles and Responsibilities in AWP
Successful implementation of Advanced Work Packaging relies on specialized roles that bridge the traditional gaps between engineering and construction disciplines. Central to the system is the Workface Planner (WFP), responsible for creating, managing, and issuing the detailed Installation Work Packages to the field crews. The WFP acts as the interface between the construction site and the planning office, ensuring all necessary resources are available and constraints are removed before work commences.
A dedicated AWP Champion or Manager often oversees the entire methodology, ensuring organizational adherence to the structured workflow across all project phases. Construction Management integrates AWP by using the CWPs as their primary control mechanism for scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking. This ensures the construction team’s requirements are communicated upstream to the engineering and procurement teams from the earliest stages of the project.
Measuring Success and Addressing Implementation Challenges
Organizations quantify the success of Advanced Work Packaging by monitoring key performance indicators related to field execution efficiency. A primary measure is the increase in tool time, or craft utilization, which tracks the percentage of an hour a worker spends on direct installation tasks. Reduction in non-productive time, such as waiting for materials or instruction, and improved schedule adherence based on CWP milestones also indicate AWP effectiveness.
Adopting this methodology presents challenges, often stemming from organizational resistance to change within established departments. Failure to involve construction teams early in the design process is a common pitfall, as their expertise is required to define the practical Path of Construction. Insufficient training for planning staff and foremen on the new Workface Planning (WFP) process can also undermine the benefits.
Overcoming these hurdles requires strong management commitment to enforce the cross-functional collaboration demanded by AWP. The volume of data and documentation generated by the system necessitates the use of modern technology, such as specialized planning software and digital tools, to effectively manage and transmit the IWPs to the workface.