Creating an A3 Architecture Overview; a Case Study in SubSea Systems

This paper explores the benefits of using A3 Architecture Overviews (A3AO) as a tool for project management and interdisciplinary knowledge sharing in a development project. The goal of the development project was to create an autonomous subsea inspection systems for the oil and gas industry. Sharing of implicit system knowledge early in the systems life cycle is a challenge, yet important for successful development of new technology. Through expert interviews and reverse architecting we made A3AO for two new system that were sequential steps into a fully autonomous solution. Through the research we applied these overviews in meetings with HSEQ, finance, senior management, and engineering. The immediate responses were positive, with comments like, “now I understand what we are trying to achieve”, and “Can I please include the A3AO in my document for the management?” Project personnel, with limited system knowledge, quickly got an enhanced understanding of the project goals by viewing the A3AO. We also experienced that senior management used the illustrative tool as a supplement to support a business case for the board of directors. Clients were happy to see models and schematics as a supplement to textural documents when being presented with new technology. Inclusion of industry terminology and support from management would enhance adoption of A3AO within the oil and gas industry. Overall, our research strongly supports the use of A3 Architectural Overviews as a project management tool when developing new complex systems.

Section: Real Time Feedback During A3ao Creationsupporting

confidence: 68%

Section: Knowledge Sharing In Development Projectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A3 Architecture Views – A Project Management Tool?

Boge

Falk

2019

“…According Sols (2014) the consequences of poor defective formulation of requirements in early phase of the life cycle will be evident as the project proceeds and that they can be dramatic. The work for (Tranøy & Muller, 2012) and (Muller, Wee, & Moberg, 2015) supports that this is a problem in the subsea industry. Due to the nature of the project life span of a subsea development, it expected that the stakeholder needs and requirements are changing from the study phase to the tender and execution phases.…”

Section: Identification Of Stakeholders and Concept Of Operationmentioning

confidence: 65%

Application of a System Engineering Framework to the Subsea Front‐End Engineering study

Engen

Falk

2018

This article applies formal system engineering methods in early‐phase concept studies in the subsea oil and gas industry to identify early‐phase needs, and reduce late‐phase design changes. The oil industry is changing, demanding more cost efficient, flexible, and modularized systems. In order to improve their offering, suppliers within this industry are turning towards the systems engineering domain. To better understand the problem, we investigated the engineering processes at the supplier, went into details of technical project reports, and interviewed main stakeholders at the supplier. Based on our research we propose to adjust the early phase of the project execution process for the company, and adapt to a system engineering framework. At an early stage we recommend using unformal models to communicate decisions and to set up a foundation for applying more formal models in the later phases. A case study from field development illustrates the new process and methods. Some of these systems engineering methods have already been adopted in the company to improve the front‐end engineering studies.

“…When using A3AOs, Borches (2010) and Van de Laar & Punter (2010) suggested using multiple levels of abstraction in the A3 model. Muller, Wee & Moberg (2015) also found that creators of A3s tended to realize that they need multiple levels of abstractions.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 97%

An A3AOs Method of Software Tools Integration in the Complex System Development

Johanssen

Zhao

2019

Companies commonly face cost pressures due to the increasing industry rivalry and competition. Software tools in this regard has become more and more popular in assisting the complex systems development. However, the lack of a proper system development process that integrates the usage of software tools will hinder the company efficiency. This is especially visible as each engineer may use software tools differently. In the context of complex system developments, this research investigates the optimization of the system development process by integrating software tools. We propose an architecture of a new system development process using A3 Architectural Overviews. Based on a real‐life case study and quick‐prototyping techniques, the architecture evolves into an optimized system development process that can increase efficiency, quality and consistency for the case company.