Project Execution

Superior Controls' successful implementation of hundreds of automation projects is what sets us apart from the majority of our competition. Our project experience through the years has allowed us to develop and fine tune all of our policies and procedures to ensure that we develop systems for our customers that are above the rest.

Every Superior Controls engineer is highly qualified in the best technologies and their use in varied applications. In addition, every Superior Controls employee also receives training on each of our internal policies and procedures. We are confident that the end result is to supply our clients with a consistent, repeatable, and controlled process.

Project Phases

Superior Controls' Project Execution Process includes several distinct phases as listed below. We implement every project, whether large or small, following Superior Controls internal policies and procedures for project management, engineering, and execution. Our internal procedures detail the steps involved in each phase of a project, from the proposal phase to project kick off through final documentation.

Proposal

During this phase, we thoroughly review of all system requirements - servers, software, control panels, network and major control equipment - so that we can provide our customers with a comprehensive cost analysis and schedule. Defining the project scope at the start sets the benchmarks that will later help to keep the project on track.

Quality and Project Plan

Once an order is placed, the Superior Controls project manager and assigned project team assigned meets with the customer for a complete review of all technical and planning elements. Also at this time, the project schedule is refined with key milestones defined to coincide with project review meeting dates. This ensures that the customer is well informed during each project phase.

Functionality Defined

During this phase the desired functionality of the system is defined jointly by Superior Controls and our customer through the development of the Functional Specification.

The purpose of the Functional Specification is to assure that all the hardware associated with the project is compatible with the controller and the I/O system. This document clearly and precisely describes the functionality of all equipment, the instrumentation being controlled, and the operator interface being designed. The documentation includes the voltage, power requirements, and analog and discrete signals used for control and interconnection techniques.

Documentation Developed

During this phase, all design documents and test protocol documents are developed. The following design documents fully define how the system will be designed and programmed to meet the functional requirements of the system:

I/O List
Panel and Wiring Diagrams
Network Diagrams
Hardware Design Specification
Software Design Specification
Alarm List
Setpoint List

All design documents developed by Superior Controls are reviewed with and approved by the customer prior to implementation. This process ensures that there are no misunderstandings regarding how the system will function. The design documents are then used to develop the following test protocol documents, which are the basis for the acceptance testing:

Hardware Factory Acceptance Test
Hardware Acceptance Test
Software Factory Acceptance Test
Software Acceptance Test

Engineering Implementation

During this phase Superior Controls fabricates the control panels; configures and programs the controllers, operator interfaces, databases, and web servers; and configures the networks. The project manager provides the customer with project status updates as defined in the Quality and Project Plan.

Factory Acceptance Testing

During this phase Superior Controls tests the hardware and software before it leaves our facility to ensure that it functions as specified. The customer will witness and approve the functionality before we ship the system to their start-up site.

Start-up and Site Acceptance Testing

Start-up activities typically include the testing and debugging of control wiring for system instrumentation and field equipment, the testing and debugging of communications wiring, and system tuning. During start-up, Superior Controls documents our daily activities for our customer.s approval. Once commissioned, Superior Controls will execute a Site Acceptance Test to ensure that the system functions in the field as specified. The customer will witness and approve the Site Acceptance Test prior to project completion.

Training

Superior Controls can implement a training program that is customized to our customers. specific control system. The training program can be used to train operators, engineers, managers, and other users, as required.

Project Approval

Once start-up is complete, Superior Controls provides the customer with as-installed design drawings, design documents, and software programs for the project. Hard copies and electronic copies are provided as defined in the Quality and Project Plan. Superior Controls maintains a back-up copy of all final documentation, which is maintained in a our secure documentation library.

Upon final documentation submittals, the customer approves the completion of the project.

Customer Review

When the project is completed, Superior Controls asks our customers to provide us with feedback regarding our work. This is done via a face to face meeting with our President or Director of Engineering, or through the customer.s completion of an electronic Customer Survey. Our customer feedback is important to us as we use this input to help us continuously improve and enhance our project execution methodologies.

Project Life Cycle Flowchart

Superior Controls' Project Life Cycle flowchart gives a pictorial snapshot of our Project Execution Process.