Increasing number of actors in new construction activity, multiplicity of rules and regulations and client wishes for more transparency brought Bureau Veritas to design a new project management tool named: VeriSTAR Project management (herein-after called VPM).
VPM is a web based collaborative platform for project management where all actors (depending on assigned rights) can review and exchange information during the project lifecycle.
VPM has been designed to assist, through a single tool and a centralised data base for the BV actors (project managers, surveyors, administrative staff) as well as BV clients (owner, shipyard, manufacturers/suppliers ) in the management of a new building project . The system is used as communication mean by everyone involved during the complete lifecycle of the project: design review, product certification and finally survey of construction. All data is available on-line in real-time.
For each project, based on the contracts, the system will generate a project where all BV actions are identified. The Project manager, based on additional clients requirements and/or specific conditions, may customise the project. He is then in possession of a tool to manage the assignment of different actors and follow up of the process
Design review
All drawings submitted by shipyard (engineering), either through the system (e- drawing) or by mail are individually identified by incoming/ outgoing references and its approval status. During the review process all comments on drawings transmitted to shipyard, are identified within the project and will be followed until a final decision has been reached. All required drawings are clearly identified and indicated once the review has been completed.
Product certification
For each product (material, equipment) subject to BV certification, an individual file is created. The file contains definition of the product as well the BV rule requirements. The certification may be initiated either by the project manager by assigning the relevant BV centre or the local office when informed by the manufacturer/supplier. In case the products are subject to design review, then it will follow the same procedure as for ship's drawing. During the procedure the different milestones may be indicated, periodical report issued and at the end an electronic certificate is issued.
Survey of Construction
The system identifies all surveys and actions to be carried out. The status of attendance as well as eventual comments, issued to the attention of shipyard, is registered in an individual file. For follow up purposes comments including design review are available in a dedicated view. The handling of comments follows the same procedure as in design review.
Follow up of project
Through a personalised desktop, access to the projects file, status of design review, product certification and survey of construction is available to authorised persons for each project. Access to comments and their status are subject to a previous agreement between the three concerned parties (shipyard, owner, Bureau Veritas)