US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
PROJECT DEFINITION
RATING INDEX (PDRI)
Presented by
Olson Okada, P.E.
Construction Services Section,
Construction Branch
Ph: 438-7066
BREAKOUT SESSION No. H
2009 Corps Workshop
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Agenda
Overview
The Tool
The Process
The Score
MILCON Implementation
Questions
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Overview
An Acronym

Project Definition Rating Index
An Index

Score along a continuum representing the level of
scope definition
A Risk Management Tool

Identifies and measures risks related to project
scope definition
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
What Is It?
Is a risk management tool:



Identify—score sheet and descriptions
Measure—scoring mechanism
Mitigate—action items
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
PDRI Buildings
Developed in 1999
Extensively used: 3M, Hensel Phelps, NASA,
GM, Department of State, GSA, Beck Group,
Smithsonian Institution, LDS, etc.
3rd Edition - PDRI Building Projects, CII
Implementation Resource 155-2
http://construction-institute.org/pdri/
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Tool Format
The crucial elements that need to be included in a
scope definition for building projects.
Composition:
 3 Sections

11 Categories

64 Elements
 38 pages of detailed element descriptions;
Rate each of the 64 elements to obtain a project
score of up to 1000 points--the lower the better.
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
How to Use
As a checklist in early project development
(81%)
As a “gate” check before the next phase
(72%)
In conjunction with other frontend planning
measurement methods (72%)
Measure or benchmark frontend planning
process performance (70%)
More than once on most projects (42%)
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
How To Use (Cont’d)
Others:




As an audit tool (42%)
In a modified form for small or unusual
projects (33%)
To help capture lessons-learned (28%)
With the help of an outside facilitator
(19%)
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
What Can PDRI Do For You?
Helps with alignment of project participants
Promotes consistency in planning
Identifies project risks
Can be used in developing the facilities
program
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
How Was It Developed?
Earlier CII Research
Research Team expertise
Scope development packages from companies
Brainstorming, affinity diagramming
Workshop of project managers and estimators
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
SECTION I - BASIS OF PROJECT DECISION
Definition Level
CATEGORY
Element
0
1
2
3
4
5
Score
A. MANUFACTURING OBJECTIVES CRITERIA
A1. Reliability Philosophy
A2. Maintenance Philosophy
A3. Operating Philosophy
CATEGORY A TOTAL
B. BUSINESS OBJECTIVES
B1.
B2.
B3.
B4.
B5.
B6.
B7.
B8.
Products
Market Strategy
Project Strategy
Affordability/Feasibility
Capacities
Future Expansion Considerations
Expected Project Life Cycle
Social Issues
CATEGORY B TOTAL
C. BASIC DATA RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
C1. Technology
C2. Processes
CATEGORY C TOTAL
D. PROJECT SCOPE
D1.
D2.
D3.
D4.
D5.
D6.
Project Objectives Statement
Project Design Criteria
Site Characteristics Available vs. Req’d
Dismantling and Demolition Req’mts
Lead/Discipline Scope of Work
Project Schedule
CATEGORY D TOTAL
E. VALUE ENGINEERING
E1. Process Simplification
E2. Design & Material Alts. Considered/Rejected
E3. Design For Constructability Analysis
CATEGORY E TOTAL
Definition Levels
0 = Not Applicable
1 = Complete Definition
2 = Minor Deficiencies
3 = Some Deficiencies
4 = Major Deficiencies
5 = Incomplete or Poor Definition
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
PDRI Buildings Score Sheet
Sections
I. Basis of Project Decision
“Right Project”
II. Basis of Design
“Right Product”
III. Execution Approach
“Right Way”
Categories
A. Business Strategy
B. Owner Philosophy
C. Project Requirements
D. Site Information
E. Bldg Programming
F. Bldg/Design
Parameters
G. Equipment
H. Procurement Strategy
J. Deliverables
K. Project Control
L. Project Execution Plan
Elements
8 (214 points)
4 ( 68 points)
6 (131 points)
8 (108 points)
13 (162 points)
8 (122 points)
3 (36 points)
2
2
5
5
(25
(11
(63
(60
points)
points)
points)
points)
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Top 10 Pacing Elements
Building Use (4.4%)
Facility Requirements (3.1%)
Site Selection Considerations (2.8%)
Business Justification (2.7%)
Project Cost Estimate (2.7%)
Business Plan (2.6%)
Project Design Criteria (2.4%)
Evaluation of Existing Facilities (2.4%)
Future Expansion/Alteration Considerations (2.2%)
Architectural Design (2.2%)
Top 10 = 27.5% of total PDRI score
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Tool Format
Rating from 0 to 5 in each of 64 different project elements



Zero is a non-applicable element
One is complete definition of element
Five is high level of uncertainty
Tool has been customized for MILCON process

Customized descriptions of project elements to our needs
Each element is weighted, algorithm generates a composite
score for the project




Normalized from 0 to 1000
Recommend a broad team composition
400 - 500 is “good” at planning stage (subjective!!)
200 is “good” in design
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Element Scoring –
Definition Level
0
1
2
3
4
5
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Using PDRI
Tool tailored for MILCON processes, customized project element descriptions

Removed profit sharing items & considerations specific to private industry

Included specialized requirements - ATFP, LEED, IDG, Fire Protection, etc.

Formulas unaltered to maintain consistency with industry standards
Each element is independently weighted, algorithm generates a composite score
for the project

Adaptable for smaller projects or renovations

Normalized score from 0 to 1000
Normalized PDRI Scores
Risk
Low
Moderat
e
High
Planning
<650
650-800
800-1000
Design
<500
500-649
650-1000
RTA
<200
200-399
400-1000
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
When to Conduct PDRI
Potential Stages to Score a Project
0
Feasibility
2
i
2
1
1
Concept
2
Detailed
Scope
3
3
Design
and
Construc
tion
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Mechanics of Using PDRI
Scoring Session Participants
Timing
Documents Needed
Process
Example
Taking Action
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Scoring Participants
Project sponsor(s)
Project engineer or architect
Key discipline leads
Technical representatives
User representative(s)
Design/Builder or Construction Manager
PDRI Facilitator
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Source Documents for Scoring
PDRI Score Sheet
PDRI Descriptions
Written scope documents and studies
Design sketches, drawings & specifications
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Process for Using PDRI
Read descriptions of each element
Discuss issues & review documents if needed
Select definition level for each element
Score each element
Add element scores to obtain PDRI score
Take Action
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
An Example
Definition Level
CATEGORY
0
1
2
3
4
5
Score
J1. Water Treatment Requirements
0
1
3
5
7
10
3
J2. Loading / Unloading / Storage Facilities Req’mts
0
1
3
5
7
10
0
J3. Transportation Requirements
0
1
5
5
Element
J. INFRASTRUCTURE (Maximum Score = 25)
CATEGORY J TOTAL
8
Definition Levels
0 = Not Applicable
1 = Complete Definition
2 = Minor Deficiencies
3 = Some Deficiencies
4 = Major Deficiencies
5 = Incomplete or Poor Definition
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Scoring Session Duration
90 to 120 minutes
Recommend a broad team composition
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Observations from Usage
Works best with neutral facilitator and team
approach
Focus on scoring process, not score
Use on pilot projects to establish comfort
level/Train users
Can be used effectively early in process; at
least twice per project
Strive for consistency with SOPs/Standards
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
PDRI – The Score
1000 Points
0 Points
LOWER SCORE IS BETTER!!
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Statistical Score Comparison
Performance
Score < 200
Score > 200
Cost
3% over budget
9% over budget
Schedule
5% behind schedule
21% behind schedule
Change Orders
8% of budget
11% of budget
(N=25)
(N=83)
•Reduce cost growth by 6%
•Reduce schedule slip by 16%
•Reduce change orders by 3% of budget
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
MILCON
Implementation
Formal Assessments at



Code 0 – Planning Charrette
Code 6/7/T - Design Charrette
RTA
Informal PM Review & follow-up on actions items at Code 3
ENG 3086 Tier 3 designation


Retarget project resources on risk buy down
Previous PDRI rating used as additional data input to Tier designation
Implementation Procedures




PDRI assessment & rating at 75% in Charrette
Upload project element scores, comments, & project data online
Attach overall PDRI assessment to 1391 Tab C
Follow-up on PDRI Action Item List from PM & project team
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
PDRI Home Page
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Element Details
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Low Definition Elements
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Summary Reports
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
On-Line Training
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Tier Definitions
Tier 1

Pres-bud and prior year un-awarded projects that have no
perceived problems and will be "forecasted" and "scheduled"
for an award within the goals established by for the FY
Tier 2

Project with known or perceived problems but are still
expected to be awarded/executed this fiscal year will be
"forecasted" and "scheduled" for award within FY
Tier3

Projects with problems and cannot be awarded within fiscal
year include:
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
Benefits to DOD
Early identification / management of project risk elements



Standard approach to Lifecycle Costing
Institutionalize procedures for Risk
Management/Communication/Scope Definition
Project Action Item List, by element, for risk mitigation
Risk Management improves Customer end product



Reduce scope creep
Fewer change orders – decrease cost & time growth
Early Customer input and buy-in
PDRI enables targeted, holistic, and quantitative approach to
Risk Management
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US Army Corps
of Engineers
Honolulu District
QUESTIONS?
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