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Integrated Asset Management and Optimization Workflows 231

• Facilitates development of “institutionalized” and “standardized” auto-
mated workflows.
• Serves as the integration platform where models can be executed and
saved to a database for later retrieval, comparison, analysis, and
decision-making.

6.4.1 Applications of IAM and Associated Work Processes

This section outlines a few examples of applications of IAMod workflows
and practices and their transformation to management and optimization
of large-scale assets. The primary objective of an IAM process is to formulate
an optimized, cost-effective development plan. This objective is primarily
achieved through the integration of realistic and variable production profiles
and taking into account the impact of system backpressure and real-time
changes in the operating conditions. Moreover, the IAM practice acts to
quantify and reduce uncertainty in the design data in terms of planned pro-
duction for facility maintenance and future upgrading and replacements.
Last but not the least, the IAM framework provides a platform for an effi-
cient and timely production optimization under different development
schemes. When an IAMod workflow is deployed within a broader frame-
work that involves monitoring, analysis, and decision-making to optimize
business-performance results and key indicators, the IAMod transforms
the operation to integrated asset management (IAM).
In Al Marzouqi et al. (2016), the IAM framework is defined as a
“collection of building blocks, processes, and workflows from surveillance
strategy to opportunity generation and execution monitoring.” The IAM is
not only the simulation technologies discussed so far in this section, but also
the multidiscipline interactions and processes that use the technology effec-
tively for decision-making. Thus, based on the experience and lessons
learned in implementing IAM practices across an operator’s assets in a
2-year period, Al Marzouqi et al. (2016) present a complex framework of
6 blocks, 18 processes, and 29 workflows. The operational benefits are seen
through shortening the learning curves of new employees, increased pro-
ductivity, more efficient key performance indicator (KPI) validation, and
improved consistency of deliverables, where process standardization plays
a major role. In this analogy, for example, the implementation of detailed
responsible-accountable-consulted-informed (RACI) charts/matrices is
warranted to properly manage human potential and understand complex
relationships and governance across the organization and disciplines.