Operational readiness is no longer optional. In today’s rapidly evolving marketplace, delays in achieving Return On Investment (ROI) are simply unaffordable. To guarantee the operational readiness of a new or upgraded R&D facility, companies must recognize the criticality of adopting a systems integration approach. By embracing this methodology from the project’s inception, operational readiness becomes a primary focus. Implementing this methodology with systems integration partners streamlines both the project timeline and costs, leading to decreased investment and faster ROI attainment.
Basic facilities can be constructed using a straightforward method: determine the essential needs for the building’s intended use, design it, solicit bids, construct it while making necessary adjustments along the way, and then inaugurate it for operations. However, research and development laboratories are far from simple facilities.
In the article “Improving ROI of R&D Facilities with a Systems Integration Approach” published in R&D World, ACS’ very own, Matt Thiel, Director, Integration Engineering, touches on the importance of implementing a systems integration approach from the start.
Systems integration carefully considers all variables in advance. It anticipates how workflows will flow within the building, thereby averting costly operational delays caused by inadequate layouts. Additionally, it accurately forecasts the requirements of the equipment tasked with performing the work, eliminating surprises such as discovering on move-in day that a room lacks the necessary power supply capacity or environmental control tolerance for the intended testing use cases.
Systems integration then works backward, considering every component necessary for the structure to fulfill its purpose. Research facilities are intricate and multifaceted, where the building, tools, and personnel collectively function as a cohesive unit aimed at achieving a specific objective. By taking a comprehensive approach to each individual element and understanding its interconnections, systems integration ensures the most efficient outcome.
Mapping out this intricate network of connections before construction begins is the most effective strategy for completing development projects within the allocated timeframe and budget. A cost-influence curve serves as a visual reminder of the imprudence of impulsive decision-making strategies.
No company wants to spend weeks after completing a new research facility making major adjustments and reworking the space. The facility should be operational as soon as it’s turned over from the contractor to start generating returns on investment. However, completed facilities often deviate from their original plans due to various factors, such as industry shifts or changes in business focus. These changes are best managed with a systems integration approach and systems integration partners, which emphasize an operational readiness process, internal communication, and flexibility. By focusing on the big picture while addressing small details, teams can deliver an operationally ready facility faster and more cost-effectively compared to traditional methods.
Read the full article here.