Graphical Representation All on the Same Page (GR-ASP) ™

There is room for improvement in the development and delivery of Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) projects.  As people or organizations, we get caught in a self-propagating cycle of “downstream work” during the delivery of projects.  We resolve critical emergencies, put out fires or deal with one problem after another, but never get a chance to go “upstream” to fix the systems that caused the problems in the first place.  The three barriers that keep us downstream are.    

  1. Problem blindness – When we don’t see a problem, we can’t fix it and start to believe that negative outcomes are inevitable and out of our control.
  2. Lack of ownership – That problem is not mine to fix.
  3. Tunnelling – I can’t deal with that right now, there are more urgent things to do.  In the tunnel, there is only forward.  So, we wait until a time when all the urgent things are done.  But of course, we never run out of urgent things to do.

The starting point is the same, large contract document – thousands of words, with oversight of the big picture – how does it all fit together?  Given that a picture is worth a thousand words can how can we bring the contract into focus with a picture?  This can be done, and it is called GRASP ™ by combining the contact document with the project life cycle and the organization structure into a process map flow chart. 

Using GR-ASP ™ solvers the first barrier – problem blindness – that starts us on the path to opportunities, solutions, and better project delivery.

Contract Document + Project Life Cycle + Organization Chart = GR-ASP ™

GR-ASP ™ = Solve Unforeseen Problems =

Better Project Delivery = Save $ millions 

GR-ASP ™ - What is it? A new comprehensive viewpoint that brings everything together on the same page. A process map flow chart that shows show does what, when, where and how things get done. A picture that replaces thousands of words

GR-ASP ™ - Is a three step upstream methodology to resolve unforeseen problems

1) Develop the GR-ASP ™

It is not easy – but through intellect, fortitude, significant time, and attention to detail, the result is a fundamental building block – in the form of a process map flow chart – that displays who does what, when, where and how things get done.

2) Generate Problem - Opportunity Pairs (POP)

Viewing the project from a upstream system perspective illuminates problems that are lost in the thousands of words or the contract document.  By compiling everything on one page each problem area comes into focus and is transformed into an opportunity for improvement. 

3) Prioritize and implement the opportunities

Each opportunity is evaluated on two parameters – ease of implementation and consequence.  Though robust stakeholder dialogue, the GR-ASP ™ is used to develop an action plan to implement each opportunity.  

GR-ASP ™ - How Does it Work? 

The unique novel viewpoint discloses process issues, gaps, duplications overlaps and misinterpretations that are missed in the thousands of words of a contract document.  It illuminates unforeseen problems that are transformed into an opportunity to save time, improve quality, enhance teamwork, while reducing disputes – claims resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in savings on major projects.

Download the full white paper PDF - For a limited time >>

The benefit / cost ratio of GR-ASP ™ is conservatively estimated at 2000+ for large projects.  To put this into perspective – on a multibillion-dollar project – for a consulting fees equivalent to the coffee supply budget – applying GR-ASP can save over $200 million.  

The benefits for applying GR-ASP ™ include; better information for critical decisions; clarification of roles / responsibilities; removal of duplications and overlap; clarification of deliverable ambiguities; positioning deliverable at appropriate timeframes; purging unnecessary requirements; aligning signatory with authority on approval documents; defining workflow for stakeholders; eliminating unnecessary roles; adding resources were needed; consolidating document approvals; improving engagement with marketplace / market sounding; automating processes; monitoring deliverables; clear terminology consistent with industry practice; consistent contract procedures; well-defined governance scope; consistent database requirements; and many more based on the specific project.

GR-ASP ™ is applicable to all EPC project delivery methods.  The greater the complexity of the contract in terms of stakeholders, roles – responsibilities, internal agreements, relationships, and project duration, the greater the benefit of using GR-ASP ™.

The greatest benefit comes from applying GR-ASP ™ earlier in the project life cycle as resolving problems up front saves time and money making for a smoother project delivery.  GR-ASP ™ can be used mid-project for root cause analysis in support of conflict or dispute resolution.  A post-mortem GR-ASP ™ provides valuable lessons learned for future projects.

Owners, agencies, consultants, general contractors, lenders, financiers, and other stakeholders should apply GRASP ™ to their projects.

GRASP ™ is the intellectual property of e-VANS Corporation invented through upstream thinking during the pandemic circumstances of 2020.  Building on our history of facilitating diverse groups towards a common goal, e-VANS Corporation welcomes the opportunity to improve your next project with the application of GRASP ™.

For more information on GRASP ™, including examples, with problem – opportunity pairs that illustrate costs, benefits and application of GRASP ™ across a range of project environments, a white paper is available for download in the side bar.

Graphical Representation
All on the Same Page
(GRASP) ™

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