To Be Resolved

Test Your Knowledge

Quiz: To Be Resolved (TBR) in Oil & Gas

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What does "To Be Resolved" (TBR) indicate in an oil & gas project?

(a) Completed tasks that need further review. (b) Areas requiring clarification or decisions before finalization. (c) Items that have been rejected and need to be revised. (d) Unforeseen problems that have arisen during project execution.

2. Which of the following is NOT a reason for using TBRs in oil & gas projects?

(a) To provide flexibility in the face of changing conditions. (b) To encourage open communication and collaboration. (c) To eliminate the need for decision-making during project execution. (d) To prioritize decision-making efforts effectively.

3. What is a common example of a TBR item in an oil & gas project?

(a) The name of the project manager. (b) The final budget allocated for the project. (c) The specific type of drilling equipment to be used. (d) The date of the project's completion ceremony.

4. How can unresolved TBRs impact an oil & gas project?

(a) Increase project budget and timeline. (b) Improve project efficiency and collaboration. (c) Eliminate potential risks and uncertainties. (d) Enhance the project's environmental impact.

5. Which of the following is NOT a typical method for resolving TBRs?

(a) Collaborative discussions between the provider and customer. (b) Independent decision-making by the project manager. (c) Proposals for solutions from the provider based on their expertise. (d) Customer input and approval when decisions affect project scope.

Exercise: Recognizing TBRs in a Project Plan

Scenario:

You are reviewing a project plan for a new offshore oil platform construction. Identify three potential TBR items in the plan below and explain why they need further clarification or decision-making.

Project Plan Excerpt:

• Objective: Construct an offshore oil platform capable of producing 10,000 barrels of oil per day.
• Timeline:
  • Phase 1: Design and engineering (6 months)
  • Phase 2: Procurement (3 months)
  • Phase 3: Construction (12 months)
  • Phase 4: Installation (3 months)
  • Phase 5: Commissioning and Testing (2 months)
• Budget: $250 million
• Location: North Sea, coordinates [insert coordinates here]
• Key Equipment:
  • Drilling rig: To be determined based on vendor proposals.
  • Production platform: Standard design, capacity 10,000 barrels/day
  • Subsea pipelines: To be determined based on environmental impact assessment.
• Contractors:
  • Construction: [Company A]
  • Installation: [Company B]
  • Subsea pipeline installation: To be determined based on bids.

Techniques

To Be Resolved (TBR) in Oil & Gas Project Development: A Comprehensive Guide

Chapter 1: Techniques for Identifying and Managing TBRs

This chapter focuses on practical techniques for identifying, documenting, and tracking To Be Resolved (TBR) items throughout the lifecycle of an oil and gas project.

Identifying TBRs: Effective TBR identification starts early in the project lifecycle, during the planning and scoping phases. Techniques include:

• Checklist Approach: Utilizing pre-defined checklists specific to project phases (e.g., FEED, EPC) to systematically identify potential areas requiring clarification.
• Workshops and Brainstorming Sessions: Gathering key stakeholders for collaborative sessions to openly discuss potential uncertainties and gaps in information.
• Document Reviews: Thoroughly reviewing all project documentation (e.g., specifications, contracts, design documents) to pinpoint ambiguities or missing information.
• Risk Assessment: Integrating TBR identification within the project's risk assessment process to highlight areas of high uncertainty.
• Red Teaming: Employing a dedicated team to challenge assumptions and identify potential weaknesses or overlooked TBRs.

Documenting TBRs: A consistent and structured approach to documenting TBRs is essential. This involves:

• Centralized Repository: Establishing a central database or system (e.g., a dedicated TBR log within project management software) for recording all identified TBRs.
• Standardized Format: Using a standardized format for documenting each TBR, including a unique identifier, description, owner, target resolution date, and status.
• Clear Descriptions: Ensuring that each TBR is described clearly and concisely, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
• Version Control: Implementing version control to track changes and updates to TBRs as they progress toward resolution.

Tracking and Monitoring TBRs: Continuous monitoring is key to ensuring timely resolution. Techniques include:

• Regular Reporting: Generating regular reports on the status of outstanding TBRs, highlighting those requiring immediate attention.
• Dashboards and Visualizations: Utilizing dashboards to provide a clear and concise overview of TBR status, enabling quick identification of potential bottlenecks.
• Automated Notifications: Implementing automated notifications to alert relevant stakeholders of TBR updates or approaching deadlines.
• Escalation Procedures: Establishing clear escalation procedures to address TBRs that remain unresolved beyond their target resolution dates.

Chapter 2: Models for TBR Management

This chapter explores different models and frameworks that can be employed to effectively manage TBRs in oil and gas projects.

Workflow-based Models: These models define a structured workflow for handling TBRs, from identification to resolution. They might include stages like:

• Identification: Identifying and documenting the TBR.
• Assignment: Assigning ownership and responsibility for resolving the TBR.
• Analysis: Analyzing the TBR to determine the best course of action.
• Resolution: Developing and implementing a solution for the TBR.
• Verification: Verifying that the solution has been successfully implemented.
• Closure: Formally closing the TBR once it has been resolved.

Risk-based Models: These models prioritize TBRs based on their potential impact on the project. Higher-risk TBRs are addressed first. This often involves:

• Risk Assessment Matrix: Using a matrix to categorize TBRs based on their likelihood and impact.
• Prioritization: Prioritizing TBRs based on their risk level.
• Mitigation Planning: Developing mitigation plans for high-risk TBRs.

Integrated Project Management Models: TBR management is integrated into the overall project management framework, often utilizing existing project management methodologies such as:

• PMI (Project Management Institute): Integrating TBR management into the PMI framework for project planning and execution.
• Agile methodologies: Adapting Agile principles to manage TBRs iteratively, addressing them in short cycles.

Chapter 3: Software and Tools for TBR Management

This chapter examines the various software and tools available to support TBR management in oil & gas projects.

Project Management Software: Many project management software packages (e.g., MS Project, Primavera P6, Jira) offer features to track and manage TBRs, including:

• Issue Tracking: Capabilities to create, assign, and track issues and outstanding questions.
• Customizable Workflows: Flexibility to create customized workflows tailored to specific TBR management processes.
• Reporting and Dashboards: Tools to generate reports and dashboards to monitor TBR status.
• Collaboration Features: Features enabling seamless communication and collaboration among stakeholders.

Dedicated TBR Management Systems: Some specialized software solutions are designed specifically for managing TBRs, offering advanced features such as:

• Automated Notifications: Automated alerts to stakeholders when TBRs are created, updated, or nearing deadlines.
• Escalation Management: Tools for automatically escalating unresolved TBRs to appropriate management levels.
• Document Management: Integration with document management systems to link TBRs to relevant documents.

Spreadsheets: While less sophisticated, spreadsheets (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets) can be used for basic TBR tracking, particularly for smaller projects. However, they lack the advanced features and scalability of dedicated software solutions.

Chapter 4: Best Practices for TBR Management

This chapter highlights best practices to maximize the effectiveness of TBR management in oil and gas projects.

• Proactive Identification: Identifying potential TBRs early in the project lifecycle.
• Clear Communication: Establishing clear communication channels to facilitate timely resolution.
• Ownership and Accountability: Assigning clear ownership and accountability for each TBR.
• Regular Reviews: Conducting regular reviews of outstanding TBRs to monitor progress and identify potential roadblocks.
• Collaboration: Encouraging collaboration among stakeholders to find effective solutions.
• Timely Resolution: Prioritizing and resolving TBRs promptly to minimize project delays.
• Documentation: Maintaining accurate and complete documentation of all TBRs and their resolutions.
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly reviewing and improving the TBR management process based on lessons learned.

Chapter 5: Case Studies of Effective TBR Management

This chapter presents real-world case studies showcasing the successful implementation of TBR management in oil and gas projects. (Note: Specific case studies would need to be researched and added here. Examples could include instances where effective TBR management prevented project delays or cost overruns, or where improved collaboration through TBR tracking resulted in better project outcomes.) Each case study should detail:

• Project Overview: A brief description of the project and its context.
• TBR Management Approach: The techniques and tools used to manage TBRs.
• Results: The outcomes achieved through effective TBR management.
• Lessons Learned: Key lessons learned that can be applied to future projects.