From obtaining management approval to securing the budget to developing a conceptual design, you finally have all the pieces in place to implement that modernization project you’ve been trying to get done for years. At this point, it may feel like you’ve waited an eternity to get things going, and you may be anxious to start implementing the changes. However, including one more layer of planning, known as a front-end engineering design (FEED) study, could prove to be one of the most valuable tools you have for reducing project risks and keeping your costs low.

While you may be increasing your investment a small degree at the front of a project to perform the FEED study, this detailed level of pre-planning prior to implementation will drive down overall project costs for the completed system by eliminating potential delays, frustrations, and expenses. Below are eight reasons you should consider engaging in a FEED study prior to implementing your next control or automation project:

1. Obtain more accurate bids – If you are shopping around for vendors, the more detailed your RFQ and FEED study are, the more likely you are to receive bids that can truly be compared “apples to apples.
   
   
2. Reduce the risk of escalating costs – When your key concerns and specifications are known and understood before implementation begins, you can ensure your price and scope will align with your expectations.
   
   
3. Produce a more precise RFQ – Your FEED study will lead to an RFQ that conveys all your key specifications and clearly states your expectations.
   
   
4. Protect yourself from scope creep – When specs and timelines are clearly defined before implementation, it is less likely you will run into expensive, yet necessary, changes down the road.
   
   
5. Brainstorm new ideas and features – Oftentimes, the discussions involved in performing a FEED study lead to new ideas and feature enhancements that can be incorporated into the design before the project kicks off.
   
   
6. Secure the right hardware and software for the job – While you want to ensure quality parts are selected, other considerations such as existing install base and spare stock will be better defined.
   
   
7. Determine documentation requirements – A clear definition of project documentation requirements will mean that you have the information you need to properly test and support your system after installation.  
   
   
8. Enhance safety – Conducting a safety review early in the design process and determining the level of safety your process requires, you will likely save time and money during implementation. 
   
   

The Value of a CONTROL System Engineer’s Input in Early Design

While the value of performing a FEED Study is likely clear by now, what might not be clear is how to get the FEED study done. If the process of conducting a FEED study seems overwhelming or you are concerned you may miss covering important questions or developing necessary documentation by performing the FEED study on your own, consider partnering with a trusted system integrator such as Applied Control Engineering (ACE). By leveraging the specific thought process and questions from the viewpoint of a control system engineer with real-world experience, we can help bring to light countless limitations and considerations you might have otherwise missed, ensuring you’re going into your implementation phase with a well-vetted FEED Study.

To learn more about the benefits of performing a FEED study and how a qualified integrator such as ACE can help, download our white paper, FEED Study: The Value of Front-Loading Your Control System Projects.