Plant expansions and Online modifications

In proces plants, work is carried out in the form of expansions/on-line modifications when a process modification is required or a new process area is created. Such work becomes highly complicated, involving mechanical work, Field cable modifications and Automation system modifications.
Detailed design work, documentation, procedures, work permits, safety considerations, etc are of paramount importance. Apart from this, many functional groups are involved in such modfications including Plant operations, Project management group, Engineering, Contractors and System vendors. Scope split, responibilities and communication between the different groups makes this work more complicated and challenging to manage.

It will be a good idea to capture the best practices organisations are adopting in carrying out such expansions/on-line modifications