A simple dashboard with big results
When you first log into the Cx reporting dashboard, you are presented with 2 speed dials and a few big tiles with numbers in them. The speed dials represent the overall project percent complete by device and by system. And the big tiles with numbers in them are further broken down by status for by forms, systems, and devices. Using just these metrics, you can spend literally a few seconds to get a good handle on where your project stands.
And when you want to view more details, you can just click on any of these metrics and the screen will refresh and display further details via drill-down capabliity. Here’s a brief explanation of some of the metrics we use on the dashboard.
Percent Complete by System
The percent complete by system metric focuses on evaluating the overall progress of each individual system within the commissioning project. Systems may vary significantly in complexity and interdependencies, making it essential to have a clear understanding of how each system is advancing.
To calculate this metric, the system divides the number of completed devices within a system by the total number of devices grouped into that particular system. Note that for partially-completed devices, it uses a the partially complete value based on its assigned forms. For example, lets say a system contains 3 devices: 1 is complete, 1 hasn’t been started, and 1 is partially complete with a % complete value of 35%. Therefore the calculated % complete for that system would be (100% + 0% + 35%) / 3 = 45%.
If you click on the speed dial for % complete by system, you will be presented with a column chart displaying the % complete for each individual system. Take a look at the screenshot below:
Advantages of Percent Complete by System:
- Granular System-level Insights: This metric allows commissioning managers to pinpoint systems that might be lagging behind, enabling them to allocate additional resources or prioritize specific tasks.
- Improved Resource Management: By understanding the progress of each system, managers can optimize resource allocation, ensuring teams are not overwhelmed in one area while other areas remain stagnant.
- Risk Assessment: By tracking system-level progress, potential risks and bottlenecks can be identified early on, allowing timely mitigation strategies.
Percent Complete by Type
The percent complete by type metric provides an overview of the progress made across different types of devices involved in the commissioning project. These device types can be further grouped into broader categories. For example, you could have mechanical devices and electrical devices. And you could then have sub-groups under mechanical for pumps and valves. In XForms Cx, you could have as many or as few subgroups as you want. Some organiations prefer flat groupings, while others prefer layering.
A big difference between flat and layered types is on the reporting side of things. For example, with a layered approach, you could view the overall % complete for mechanical devices, and then drill down and view the % complete for pumps. Whereas with a flat approach, you would only view the % complete for pumps. To better illustrate this, here’s a screenshot of the device type setup screen in XForms Cx.
XForms Cx uses a similar approach when calculating the % complete by device type. It uses the # of completed devices within a group divided by the total # of devices in that group. Like with systems, it uses the partial % complete value for a particular device (which is calculated based on the forms assigned to that device).
To view the column chart of % complete by Device Type, click on the “By System” speed dial, and then click on the “Type” button toggle on the top left of the screen. If your device type hierarchy is set up with multiple groups and subgroups, you can click on a column to drill down further.
Here’s a gif on how to do this.
Advantages of Percent Complete by Type:
- Task-Type Prioritization: Identifying which types of devices are lagging behind allows managers to allocate resources and prioritize certain activities based on their significance.
- Performance Benchmarking: This metric enables the comparison of progress across different device types, helping to set realistic expectations and goals for future commissioning projects.
- Effort and Time Estimations: By analyzing the time and effort spent on each device type, project managers can make more accurate predictions for future projects with similar characteristics.
Percent Complete by Device
The percent complete by device metric zooms in further to track the progress of individual devices or components within a system. In a commissioning project, devices might be equipment, sensors, or other vital elements that need to be installed and tested.
To calculate this metric, XForms Cx uses the calculated % complete for a particular device based on cmpletion status of the forms assigned to it dividied by the total number of devices. To access, click on the % complete by device speed dial and you will view a screen similar to the screenshot below. you can also get here by going to Completion > Device Completion in the left menu pane:
Advantages of Percent Complete by Device:
- Device-Specific Optimization: This metric allows managers to focus on specific devices causing delays or encountering issues, streamlining the commissioning process.
- Quality Control: Tracking individual devices ensures that each component is thoroughly tested and commissioned, reducing the risk of overlooking critical elements.
- Real-time Updates: By continuously updating the progress of each device, project managers can make informed decisions and communicate the status effectively to stakeholders.
Parting thoughts
In conclusion, tracking the progress of a commissioning project from a bird’s-eye view is essential for successful and timely completion. It’s by far faster than doing this manually with an Excel sheet, more accurate, and can provide enough actionable detail to make informed decisions. And if you need more detail, you can click away to drill down to view those details. By leveraging these metrics, commissioning teams can navigate the complexities of large-scale projects and deliver optimal results for all stakeholders involved without a lot of the headache using conventional methods such as Excel and paper forms.
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