During the design phase, the product deliverables focus on the detailed design specifications of the IT&S solution for the project. The specifications need to define detailed design parameters sufficient to procure the products as Commercially Off-The-Shelf (COTS) products and/or customized for unique use.
It will be important to schedule and hold key system engineering reviews to ensure traceability back to the systems requirements specifications. Reviews with stakeholders must be conducted after every major design phase—this has become an industry best practice.
During the design phase, the airport consultant, working with his airport customer, should identify the specific test, maintenance, and training plans that need to be developed. In addition, any other QA/QC requirements for the project should be identified at this stage.
4.4Construction
The purpose of this phase is to oversee, on behalf of the airport operator, the procurement/building, deployment, and installation activities of the IT&S solution by the vendor(s). Depending on the actual scope and level of integration of the IT&S solution, the complexity of the construction oversight phase will vary.
When completed, the airport consultant should be able to validate, prior to commissioning, that installed IT&S systems have successfully passed Factory Acceptance and On-site Systems Integration and Test as required.
4.4.1Key Elements
The construction oversight phase, at a minimum, should address the following:
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System Procurement Package Preparation
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Vendor Evaluation/Selection/Award
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Vendor Oversight
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General Contractor (or other systems contractor coordination, if applicable, due to level of interfacing and integration with other systems)
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Test Procedures (development for Factory Acceptance and Systems Integration and Test, and Customer Acceptance)
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Maintenance and Training Procedures Development
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Demonstration Test Milestones
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Factory Acceptance Test
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System Deployment/Installation
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On-site Unit Testing and Systems Integration and Test (as applicable)
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Physical and Functional Configuration Audit
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Test Readiness Review
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Draft User and Operator Manuals
4.4.2Project Deliverables
The key deliverables for this phase should include the documentation that reflects the physical and functional configuration audit of the fielded IT&S solution along with any hardware and software deliverables.
The documentation for this phase should include the development of the system testing, customer acceptance, maintenance, and training procedures as required. The construction oversight phase should also include milestone reviews such as demonstration test milestones, factory acceptance, on-site unit and systems integration testing as required. System Test Problem Reports (STPRs) should be developed along with documented corrective actions during testing activities. In addition, a Test Readiness Review should be conducted prior to entering into the commissioning phase.
Draft user and operator documentation should also be made available prior to the completion of this phase.
4.5Commissioning
The IT&S systems commissioning process has become an increasingly important practice in project planning and delivery. It involves the systematic process of ensuring and documenting that all systems and components perform according to specification and project intent or owner/agency project requirements, as well as the owner's operational needs.
The goals of the commissioning process are to assist the project delivery team in defining performance-based project requirements, reduce operating costs, ensure adequate Operations and Maintenance (O&M) staff orientation and training, and improve systems documentation. However, the primary purpose of the commissioning process is to provide a quality-based process for the delivery of IT&S projects that will reduce delivery costs and enhance the project's long-term value to the agency/owner.
As IT&S systems have become more complex and contractors more specialized, the traditional methods for system start-up and final acceptance have proven inadequate. The commissioning process smooths the project planning, design, construction, turnover, and occupancy processes and ensures the designed systems operate as intended and can be maintained in their delivered state by O&M personnel.
The key elements of a comprehensive commissioning process include:
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Phased development of a commissioning plan that addresses key planning and design-phase commissioning activities and construction-phase commissioning activities and provides documentation after systems have been developed
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Thorough documentation of the planned systems' project intent
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Closely coordinated delivery team effort in the design phases to assure integration of the designed systems
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Rigorous testing and inspecting of commissioned systems and operating sequences during construction
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Verification of system performance based on documented functional testing and measurement
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Preparing and submitting O&M manuals (and sometimes videos) and the training of building operations staff in system operations and maintenance procedures
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Ongoing monitoring of system performance
The extent and use of the commissioning process must be tailored to the needs of each particular project. For projects that do not use, or have limited use of Construction Management (CM) services, commissioning may help resolve communication problems that could occur between the planning, design, and construction phases.
Some project owners who typically use CM services may perceive commissioning as either complementing or being redundant to normal CM responsibilities.
However, if the original IT&S design does not accurately reflect the client's needs and requirements, then regardless of the proper implementation of a commissioning process, the systems will not achieve the efficiency and performance desired. The commissioning process is not a substitute for good systems engineering design and coordination.
The airport IT&S Benchmark Test Lab (BTL) is a key ingredient for the construction and commissioning of IT&S. When developing an IT&S project, it is important to utilize BTLs for several reasons, including:
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Testing unit and systems integration testing
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Allowing team members to test and integrate their systems in a controlled environment
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Shaking down the systems before actual on-site systems integration and test
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Testing out software patches and systems upgrades before cut-over onto the actual on-site production system
The purpose of this phase is to coordinate all activities to ensure successful operation of the IT&S solution. The extent of activities can vary depending on whether the IT&S project is a standalone project or is part of an overall airport modernization or terminal expansion/upgrade project.
4.5.1Key Elements
The commissioning phase, at a minimum, will address the following activities:
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Conduct Maintenance Training
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Conduct User and Operator Training
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Perform Customer Acceptance Testing
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Conduct Shakedown Test
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Conduct Cutover Readiness Review
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Conduct Actual Systems Commissioning and Cutover
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