Big Picture Thinking & Creativity for Custom Solutions
The first step of a project, process, or even new site is a concept design. Concept design, also known as macro design, is where big picture thinking and creativity collide to create a vision for not only the equipment needed, but also the evolution of facility solutions, integration plans, operations, cost savings, and improved performance without compromising production. Concept design is arguably the most creative and critical part of the design process.
Brainstorming is a Key Function of Concept Design
This often involves asking questions:
The stages of concept design look different to everyone but are usually a hodgepodge of white boards, sticky notes, graphs, charts and back of napkin calculations. Back of napkin calculations are an engineering fan favorite during process design and are critical in early decision and consideration of concepts.
Key factors of the concept design phase are to consider optimization options:
As the brainstorming process is completed the work of this phase commences. Drawings, process flow diagrams (PFDs), and preliminary budgets are created. This phase involves the activities associated with function formulation, concept generation, concept organization, concept evaluation, and concept improvement.
At the completion of the concept design phase, a Concept Design Review (CDR) is completed. CDRs are a business tool that enables stakeholders to review, critique, and evaluate the initial design and concept. This step is critical before moving on to more detailed design, budget, and planning activities. During the CDR the mission of the project should be clearly communicated, and the concept being considered should be reviewed for fit. Often this process results in a clean, clear new concept design path with mitigated technical risk. New facilities, new products, new technologies as well as major processes and plant modifications and new should utilize CDR review assistance as these all could benefit from accumulated expertise.
