Brownfield projects by definition involve the modification of existing facilities. Specific characteristics of those projects lead to an increase of complexity compared to a greenfield project of similar scope. In our new White Paper 2019-10 ‘How Brownfield Projects Are Always More Complex Than Expected’ we investigate the causes of additional complexity, how to reduce complexity in this situation, and what additional measures are needed to achieve successful brownfield projects.
Brownfield projects include the modification of an existing facility, which is often currently being operated. While those modifications may vary significantly in magnitude depending on how much the changes or additions are done separately from the existing facility and how complicated the tie-in to the existing resources is, factors are always at play which increase complexity. Increased complexity always leads to a reduced success rate and a much higher uncertainty of the project outcome (in terms of cost, delay or operability of the final facility). Therefore, achieving success in brownfield projects is often harder than in greenfield ones.
The additional complexity of brownfield projects is real and is too often underestimated. Brownfield tends to increase organizational, technical and project execution complexity. This additional complexity has a significant impact on the success rate of those projects. Integration with the operating organisation is essential from the start, as is a proper leadership. The project definition phase will generally require more work than in a greenfield project, and this needs to be properly accounted for. A good integration of the project team with the operator and key contributors is also an essential complexity management approach.
Read our new White Paper 2019-10 ‘How Brownfield Projects Are Always More Complex Than Expected’ to understand better the complexity aspects of brownfield projects.
If you can’t access the link to the white paper, copy and paste the following link in your browser: https://www.projectvaluedelivery.com/_library/2019-10_complexity_brownfield_v0.pdf
