AWP xChange Houston: Charting the Next Frontier in Project Delivery 

Houston has always been a hub for bold thinking in construction and energy, and this year’s AWP xChange Houston only reinforced that reputation. Hosted by O3 Solutions, the event drew a diverse crowd of innovators, engineers, and industry leaders for a two-day experience filled with insights, technology showcases, and practical strategies for achieving project excellence through Advanced Work Packaging (AWP). 

Now in its fifth year, the Houston edition marked a significant milestone—not only in scale, but in global impact. With the recent launch of AWP xChange Santiago, the conference officially became an international platform, connecting regions, industries, and disciplines under a common goal: transforming project delivery.

A Purpose-Driven Opening 

The event kicked off with a welcome from Josh Girvin, CEO of O3 Solutions, who reminded attendees why AWP xChange is unlike any other industry gathering. 

“AWP xChange isn’t just a conference—it’s a movement. A gathering of people who don’t settle for the status quo. People like you, who want to work smarter, build better, and deliver with purpose,” Josh said. 

The audience, made up of seasoned practitioners and newcomers alike, was energized by his message: today was about connection, collaboration, and unlocking what’s next. 

From the beginning, the message was clear—AWP isn’t optional anymore. It’s foundational. And with O3’s robust platform supporting over 550 projects worldwide, the conversation moved quickly from theory to real-world execution. 

Setting the Vision: Why We’re Here 

A core theme running through the day was the alignment between technology, process, and people. As Josh outlined, success means breaking down silos, enabling enterprise-wide frameworks, and supporting organizations wherever they are in their journey. 

AWP xChange emphasized five goals: 

1. Driving consistency across projects
2. Enabling agile and efficient delivery
3. Learning from real-world outcomes
4. Creating two-way dialogue with clients
5. Building connections that outlast the event

These weren’t just abstract ideas—they were embodied in every speaker, session, and panel discussion. 

A Lineup of Leaders 

The speaker lineup brought together a powerhouse of perspectives from across the industry: 

• Tina Berger (Shell) opened with a keynote challenging the audience to rethink their assumptions about digital tools, performance, and bias. She offered an insightful look at how cognitive diversity and data integration can unlock the full potential of capital projects. 
• Stuart Block (Fluor) shared Fluor’s multi-year journey toward global AWP implementation. His presentation offered a candid look into the lessons learned, key decisions, and benefits realized across a complex portfolio. 
• Daniel Doherty (Aecon) took the stage to walk through Aecon’s transition from traditional methods to a modern, scope-centric delivery model. He emphasized the need to meet teams where they are and leverage tools that reduce friction. 

• Representing the owner’s perspective, Hani Noshi (Microsoft) explained how Microsoft is integrating AWP to improve oversight and reporting across their capital portfolio—an ambitious move in a sector that has historically been slow to adopt these practices. 

Hani Noshi: "The O3 AWP xChange was a fantastic forum to discuss and strategize on the future of advanced capital project delivery with various cross industry Owner representatives.  Looking forward to the next event!”

• Tedd Weitzmann (Worley) focused on the importance of consistent digital data in executing AWP on complex global projects. His insights on standardization echoed the larger theme of aligning across the enterprise. 
  

Tedd Weitzmann: "This was my third consecutive year attending the AWP xChange event in Houston. They have all been both informative and network building opportunities and this year did not disappoint! Thanks again to the O3 team for their commitment to both product and client satisfaction."

Innovation in Action 

Beyond inspiring talks, AWP xChange delivered hands-on demonstrations of O3’s latest features—from AI-powered IWP generation to customizable workflows that support non-AWP tasks. These capabilities were showcased not as future wish lists, but as battle-tested tools already producing value in the field. 

Josh explained how client feedback led directly to game-changing product updates: 

• Team Boards, for example, were created in response to the need for centralized, non-AWP task management. 
• The AI Copilot now automates IWP creation—saving hours of manual effort for short-staffed teams. 
• The AI Assistant lets users query complex data with simple language. 

This user-focused innovation underscores O3’s obsession with solving real-world problems. As Josh put it, “The goal isn’t AWP adoption. The goal is project success.” 

Honoring Excellence: Client Awards Spotlight 

One of the most anticipated moments of the event was the recognition of outstanding client achievements in AWP execution and product collaboration. 

Implementation Excellence Award: Aecon 

We were proud to recognize Aecon as the winner of the Implementation Excellence Award at AWP xChange Houston. 

This award celebrates clients who set the gold standard for O3 implementation—and Aecon has done just that. Achieving go-live in under 30 days, Aecon redefined what’s possible for digital transformation on capital projects. 

Faced with an ambitious digital-first project and minimal traditional documentation, Aecon tackled the challenge with agility and determination. Through strong coordination and partnership with O3, they:

• Rapidly structured and integrated work packages
• Streamlined material management
• Optimized execution workflows 

Their ability to not only adopt but maximize O3 in record time is a testament to Aecon’s leadership and commitment to innovation.

Innovation & Product Feature Award: Worley 

We were equally thrilled to recognize Worley as the recipient of the Innovation & Product Feature Award. 

This honor is reserved for clients who go beyond simply using the platform—they co-create it. Through active collaboration and feedback, Worley has directly influenced enhancements to O3, most notably the material management integration with AVEVA ERM. 

Thanks to their forward-thinking input, O3 now offers: 

• Seamless material tracking 

• Improved procurement workflows 

• Streamlined execution 

• New levels of visibility and control 

These innovations are now delivering value not only to Worley—but to O3 clients globally.

At O3, we believe the best innovation happens through partnership—and Worley has proven just how powerful that collaboration can be. 

Final Reflections: Momentum with Meaning

AWP xChange Houston was more than a success—it was a signal. A signal that the industry is not only ready for digital transformation, but actively building it through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose. 

“There’s a sense that something is really shifting now—AWP is no longer a niche strategy. It’s becoming standard,” said one attendee. “And O3 is at the center of that movement.” 

As the day closed and conversations continued over drinks at the Astros Game, one thing was clear: the future of project delivery is here. And it’s collaborative, data-driven, and boldly different. 

AWP xChange Houston 2026 can’t come soon enough.