ADVal

Purpose and goal

One objective was to produce a generic value-based automation model for process industries. Such an automation model was also produced and was designed to fulfill the requirements: simple to use, easy to introduce in the companies’ existing project processes and useful for a broad set of different types of process industrial automation projects. Another objective was to produce a project plan for a case study to practically test model, including a larger consortium of process industries and automation suppliers. Such a plan was produced and an FUI application has been sent to Vinnova.

Expected results and effects

The usability requirements for the automation model were handled by adding the, seemingly simple, requirement that all automation installations should be “optimizable”. In order to make it possible to order and deliver “optimizable” installations, the model consists of two sections: -a value specification and ordering process, and -a supportive checklist with a comprehensive set of questions that have to be addressed. Model usage is assumed to reduce the resources needed for process optimization, and achieving the, on average, 30% productivity increase this usually yields.

Planned approach and implementation

Several earlier automation projects were analyzed to identify why the projects results were not fully satisfying. An important reason was insufficient specification of desired overall production value, particularly specification of a production system where all tools and machine communicates effectively to deliver value. 6 workshops were held to develop a, flexible and easy to use model to order the actually desired production value, and not the technology that is assumed to deliver the desired value. The findings were presented to the company at a project closure meeting.