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Assessing the Implementation of Best Productivity Practices in Maintenance Activities, Shutdowns, and Turnarounds of Petrochemical Plants

Author

Listed:
  • Pramesh Krishnankutty

    (Productivity Council, Singapore Chemical Industry Council Limited, 8 Jurong Town Hall Road, #25-04 The JTC Summit, Singapore 609434, Singapore)

  • Bon-Gang Hwang

    (Department of Building, School of Design & Environment, National University of Singapore, 4 Architecture Drive, Singapore 117566, Singapore)

  • Carlos H. Caldas

    (Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, ECJ 5.210, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

  • Sriya Muralidharan

    (Department of Building, School of Design & Environment, National University of Singapore, 4 Architecture Drive, Singapore 117566, Singapore)

  • Daniel P. de Oliveira

    (Construction Industry Institute (CII), 3925 W, Braker Ln, Austin, TX 78759, USA)

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a method to assess the level of implementation of best productivity practices in the petrochemical industry. The proposed methodology focuses on construction, maintenance activities, shutdowns, and turnarounds. Its novelty and importance are emphasized by the lack of productivity studies that target these types of projects. This article reports the research methodology steps including tool development and detailed case study assessments of projects in Singapore. The approach involved the verification of best productivity practices and the development of an assessment method designed to fit the characteristics of petrochemical projects. The assessment points out productivity practices with low implementation levels and provides recommendations to increase their usage. The results showed that the level of implementation of productivity practices in the petrochemical projects investigated was 68.42%, out of a maximum score of 100%. Practices related to Material Management and Equipment Logistics received the lowest scores and recommendations on how to bridge this productivity practice implementation gap were provided. The adoption of the Best Productivity Practices Implementation Index (BPPII) as a Productivity management tool will help the petrochemical plants to improve productivity in their projects and to be resilient during the pre-planning phase. This should also allow the petrochemical industry to attract more investments and remain competitive in order to be sustainable. The identification and analysis of practices related to maintenance activities, shutdowns, and turnarounds of petrochemical plants will significantly contribute to the body of knowledge on best productivity practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Pramesh Krishnankutty & Bon-Gang Hwang & Carlos H. Caldas & Sriya Muralidharan & Daniel P. de Oliveira, 2019. "Assessing the Implementation of Best Productivity Practices in Maintenance Activities, Shutdowns, and Turnarounds of Petrochemical Plants," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-27, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:5:p:1239-:d:209251
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nancy Kong & Jose Tongzon, 2006. "Estimating total factor productivity growth in Singapore at sectoral level using data envelopment analysis," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(19), pages 2299-2314.
    2. Wen-der Yu & Shao-tsai Cheng & Wei-cheng Ho & Yu-hao Chang, 2018. "Measuring the Sustainability of Construction Projects throughout Their Lifecycle: A Taiwan Lesson," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-16, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ming Shan & Yu-Shan Li & Bon-Gang Hwang & Jia-En Chua, 2021. "Productivity Metrics and Its Implementations in Construction Projects: A Case Study of Singapore," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-19, November.

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