The need for Enterprise Master Planning

If you don't know where you are going, you probably won't get there.

Although the need seems self-evident, many corporations still do not have a Master Plan for integrating new cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and communications technology. This occurs despite the fact that companies like Federal Express, Walmart and Google, have demonstrated that improved use of automation can provide competitive advantage.

This is particularly true of major new facilities or expansions. Typically, Project Managers are focused on building the physical facility, and the business managers who will be responsible for the new facility are not yet assigned. Failure to plan for information systems and human and organizational aspects during the facility engineering phase, commonly results in a facility which is physically complete, but which takes months to reach its profit potential.

Companies that do not have a clear, well executed Enterprise Master Plan, will be regularly out-performed by competitors who do.

We also observe that companies often under-invest in planning, resulting in longer shedules and increased cost.

	The PERA Master Planning Methodology provides a methodical approach to planning which can be used at any phase in the life cycle of an enterprise. This diagram shows use of PERA Master Planning during the Enterprise Definition phase. However, it may also be used during Construction Phase to improve schedule, or during Operations Phase to plan maintenance turnarounds and upgrades.
PERA provides a framework for planning each phase of the enterprise. As such, it encompasses all other planning, design, and analysis tools.

Both of the above PERA diagrams show the importance of considering Human and Organizational aspects, as well as Control and Information Systems, at every phase of the enterprise.