TITLE:
System Support Engineering Framework: A Tool to Achieve Strategy Transformation
AUTHORS:
Mohammed Saif Alsaidi, John P. T. Mo
KEYWORDS:
System Support Engineering; Refinery; Performance; Complexity; Transformation; Support System Management
JOURNAL NAME:
Technology and Investment,
Vol.5 No.1,
February
17,
2014
ABSTRACT: Modern refineries are complex, very high in value of
production. They are expected to function for years to come, with ability to
handle the changes in technology and feed quality. The aging of a refinery and
continuous increases of vendors and contractors force the
refinery’s operation management to design a strategic approach
which can capture these changes. Therefore, this paper explores and outlines
the nature of the support system design for a refinery in order to comply with
strategic transformation. The research work explores the operation support
system from a range of perspectives, by interviewing managers from across the
refinery organization. The factors contributing to complexity of a support
system are described in the context presented, which clusters them into several
key areas. It is proposed that SSE framework may then be used as analytical
tool for managing and designing support system(s). The paper will conclude with
discussion of potential application and strategic views of the framework. Also,
it will designate the opportunities for future work.