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Project Systems
Insights, Examples & Case Studies
Behind every successful project lies a system that brings structure, visibility, and accountability. Our approach to Project Systems blends proven methodologies with modern digital tools to improve control, collaboration, and performance across the project lifecycle and sometimes a little out-of-the-box creativity when it makes sense.
In this section, you’ll find our case studies, examples, and whitepapers that explore how integrated systems drive better outcomes—from capital project delivery to portfolio governance and operational readiness. Each story highlights practical lessons, measurable results, and the digital capabilities that make project execution more predictable, efficient, and transparent.
Whether you’re modernizing legacy systems, connecting teams across disciplines, or aligning project data with enterprise decision-making, these resources show what’s possible when technology and execution strategy come together.
*the experience described is our own however, the effort was performed for another organization
Case Study
Deep Underground, High Above Standard:
Engineering Systems for a Next-Generation Copper Operation
A leading global engineering and project delivery organization was engaged to provide integrated study, design, and project management services for one of the world’s most technically ambitious underground copper developments in North America. The project involves extracting ore from depths exceeding two kilometers below surface—placing extraordinary demands on engineering, safety, and digital coordination.
Challenge
The client’s goal was to unlock one of the largest untapped copper deposits in the region while maintaining world-class safety standards and a minimal environmental footprint. The orebody’s depth and geotechnical conditions required unconventional thinking: infrastructure had to be designed to handle extreme rock pressures, heat, and logistical constraints, all while preparing for future automation and digital integration.
Approach
The project team delivered multidisciplinary study and design support across underground infrastructure, surface facilities, and material handling systems. This included early-stage trade-off studies, detailed engineering for shafts and hoisting systems, and constructability input to align surface and underground works.
A model-based engineering environment was used to unify design data from multiple disciplines—mining, civil, mechanical, electrical, and controls—enabling real-time collaboration between geographically distributed teams. Advanced simulation and visualization tools supported decision-making and helped the client evaluate design options before physical execution.
The work also emphasized sustainability and community impact. The engineering effort integrated water management, energy efficiency, and closure planning from the outset, supporting the client’s long-term environmental commitments.
Outcome
The integrated study and design program produced a technically sound, constructible, and future-ready foundation for one of the most significant copper developments in modern mining. The effort established new benchmarks for digital collaboration, safety-driven engineering, and transparent project delivery on deep-level resource projects.
Building Connected, Digital Projects from the Ground Up
Our work in project systems bridges the gap between engineering disciplines, contractors, and owners — creating a unified digital ecosystem where every dataset connects, every handover is intentional, and every team can see the same truth.
Setting Up the Digital Backbone
We were engaged to establish and administer the full suite of project systems across engineering service providers and owner organizations.
Our team integrated and managed tools such as:
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AVEVA 3D
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Aveva ISM / Class Library
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SmartPlant P&ID
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Hard Dollar (InEight Estimate)
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Primavera P6
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Aconex Document Control
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AutoCAD
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AVEVA NET
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Project-wide SharePoint
We built a connected environment that allowed engineering, procurement, construction, and operations to work from one consistent source of data — eliminating silos and confusion that often plague major capital projects.
Training and Change Management
Not every team was ready for digital systems.
We developed onboarding and training programs to bring every stakeholder up to speed, from engineers to document controllers.
Together with the owner, we defined handover requirements that didn’t yet exist — and built systems that made them possible.
Our collaboration extended to bridging metric and imperial systems on-site, ensuring that data integrity and usability held up under real-world conditions.
Auditing and Data Integrity
We implemented a regular audit cadence to ensure data quality and alignment across all platforms.
This meant that instead of multiple disconnected datasets being handed over at project closeout, the customer received one integrated, validated source of truth — reducing risk, confusion, and rework.
A Truly Global Effort
By designing a single digital environment, we enabled high-value centers to contribute overnight, keeping progress continuous and costs low.
This 24-hour (follow the sun) engineering model reduced interface management, improved communication, and delivered measurable value.
Results at a Glance
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Through high-value center integration
≈50% reduction in engineering cost
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Reusing data and models for redesign and optioneering
≈25% schedule reduction
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Achieved through digital workflows and automation
50% smaller estimating team
Qualitative Improvements
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Supplier ecosystem improvement: Built a foundation for smoother collaboration in the next project phase.
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Data confidence: One dataset meant the customer’s team could trust what they were reviewing — no duplication or conflict.
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Professionalism and cohesion: Clear, consistent model reviews gave the owner confidence in the entire engineering team.
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Operational buy-in: Construction and operations teams adopted the model early, improving downstream execution.
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Cost and time efficiency: Leveraging high-value centers and digital tools translated into real savings and reduced complexity.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond the numbers, this project demonstrated what’s possible when technology and collaboration meet.
By connecting tools, teams, and data, we delivered more than a project — we created a digital foundation for future efficiency, transparency, and growth.
Case Study
Driving Performance in Tight Gas Development:
Engineering and Program Delivery for a Major Gas Field Expansion
A global energy company engaged an international engineering and project delivery provider to support the development of one of the Middle East’s largest tight gas reservoirs. The program encompassed hundreds of wells, extensive gathering systems, and a central processing facility—forming the foundation of a multi-phase field development valued at approximately US $16 billion.
Challenge
The field’s low-permeability reservoir demanded advanced drilling, completion, and surface facility design to unlock production at commercial scale. The program needed to deliver consistent well performance while maintaining cost discipline, integrating complex infrastructure, and meeting stringent safety and environmental standards. Coordination across multiple contractors and service providers was critical, as more than ten engineering teams were engaged across the project’s various phases.
Approach
The engineering company worked within a long-term alliance model, combining study, design, and execution support for both new well delivery and surface infrastructure. Services covered front-end engineering, detailed design, procurement, construction management, and ongoing field development support.
Standardization was a key success factor. Reusable design templates, digital collaboration tools, and integrated 3D models were deployed to manage design data across the drilling, gathering, and processing scopes. The teams also advanced local supplier participation and workforce development as part of a long-term in-country value program.
Outcome
The integrated approach enabled the operator to achieve first gas on schedule and below original cost targets. The well program established a consistent, repeatable delivery framework—improving efficiency, safety performance, and cost predictability. The development now underpins a major contribution to domestic gas supply and represents one of the region’s most successful examples of long-term, collaborative field development.
Accelerating Engineering Through Digital Re-Use and Systemized Design
Working on a complex, multi-site industrial program, we recognized early that the engineering and design effort was primed for data re-use and replication—the sweet spot for practical digitalization. Much of the project’s design content repeated from site to site, yet it was being rebuilt manually each time. That insight led us to rethink how engineering could be executed altogether.
Challenge
The project required producing hundreds of drawings, datasheets, and deliverables across multiple similar facilities. Traditional workflows made each site a near-duplicate effort, driving schedule pressure and cost. We saw an opportunity to apply a data-centric approach to drastically streamline production while maintaining accuracy and control.
Approach
We applied systems thinking to break down the design into logical, reusable components and relationships. Then we built a form-driven digital system that interfaced directly with AutoCAD and a structured database. With this setup, engineers could enter key design parameters and automatically generate full engineering packages—drawings, datasheets, and supporting documentation—within minutes.
This solution transformed the way the project was delivered. It created the foundation for a lump-sum delivery model, allowing predictable cost and schedule performance while ensuring consistent deliverables that construction teams could rely on. Achieving this required strong coordination and genuine buy-in from the owner’s organization, as we integrated the new workflow into established project systems and governance.
Outcomes
Quantifiable Results
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50% reduction in engineering cost per site through automation and standardized design content
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75% reduction in design schedule, with deliverables produced in hours rather than weeks
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Significant reduction in rework due to consistent, data-driven document generation
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Improved traceability and revision control through database-linked design data
Qualitative Results
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Built a stronger, trust-based relationship with the owner through collaboration and transparency
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Increased predictability in project execution and construction readiness
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Empowered the engineering team to focus on optimization rather than repetitive tasks
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Established a digital foundation that can be scaled and adapted to future projects
Summary
By combining data structure, automation, and practical software integration, we developed a model that redefined how engineering deliverables are produced. What began as an internal innovation became a project-wide enabler—delivering measurable efficiency gains and demonstrating the tangible value of digitalization in real project execution.