Automated Configuration Management for Capital Project Templates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current configuration management systems are not well-suited to handle the massive volumes of data required for large-scale capital projects, such as power plants, leading to inefficiencies and risks in updating configuration data across multiple project sites, including software version conflicts, dependencies, and potential errors during manual comparison and update processes.
Innovation Solution
A configuration management system that centralizes template configuration updates, using automated comparators to identify differences between master and project templates, allowing for selective updates at project sites while minimizing downtime and preserving existing design data, and enabling reverse updates to the master template with new configuration options from project sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual comparison and update processes are used for configuration data, then flexibility and customization are maintained, but error rates increase and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical comparison processes with automated electronic comparison systems. The system automatically compares configuration data between master templates and project templates using computer algorithms, eliminating manual errors while maintaining high productivity through automated processing of large configuration datasets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary configuration management system that acts as a mediator between master templates and project templates. This intermediary system automatically identifies differences, manages updates, and ensures consistency across multiple projects, reducing both errors and manual effort.
2Reliability
If comprehensive configuration management is implemented across all project sites, then system integrity is improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration management system into hierarchical levels: master templates at the corporate level and project templates at the site level. This segmentation allows comprehensive management across all sites while keeping each local system relatively simple and manageable independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal master template structure that can serve multiple project sites with different requirements. The standardized template framework provides system integrity across all sites while allowing local customization through project-specific configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent updates are performed to keep configuration data current, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time and operational disruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs configuration comparisons and update preparations in advance before production changes are needed. The system proactively identifies configuration differences and prepares update packages, allowing updates to be implemented quickly with minimal operational disruption when changes are required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous configuration management operations where the system continuously monitors and manages configuration data without requiring complete system shutdowns. Updates can be applied incrementally while maintaining operational continuity, reducing downtime while keeping configuration data current.
Data Source
AI summary
A configuration management system more efficiently and effectively manages template configuration information across a plurality of large-scale capital projects that execute multiple applications at a plurality of project sites.