ABSTRACT
A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service. Construction projects are executed based on predetermined set of goals and objectives. Construction projects are mainly capital investment projects. They are customized and nonrepetitive in nature and have become more complex and technical, and the relationships and the contractual grouping of those who are involved are also more complex and contractually varied. There are innumerable processes that make up the construction process. Systems engineering approach to construction projects helps understand the entire process of project management in order to understand and manage its activities at different levels of various phases to achieve economical and competitive results. Furthermore, there are different types of project delivery systems that define the organizational structure among various participants/project team members. This chapter discusses definition of project and different types of construction projects. This chapter also discusses oil and gas (downstream) project life cycle which is developed based on systems engineering principles and details how oil and gas projects can be divided into six most common phases that can further be subdivided into various elements/activities/subsystems having functional relationship to conveniently manage the projects. It also discusses different types of project delivery systems. The chapter also discusses project management processes applicable for oil and gas projects to conveniently manage the project.
