When it's time to implement Advanced Work Packaging (AWP), project teams hit a fork in the road: build your own software or buy a proven solution? Building from scratch has its appeal, but most teams underestimate what they're really signing up for. The build vs. buy software choice you make now will echo through every project you tackle for years.

Why Companies Consider Building AWP Software

Despite the availability of sophisticated AWP solutions, many organizations initially opt to build their own software. Why? It comes down to two primary misconceptions:

They Believe They'll Save Money

Companies believe it would be more cost-effective in the long run to develop their own purpose-built software rather than purchasing it. Not true. From a small army of project managers and analysts to QA and DevOps, it takes a herculean effort to develop a successful solution. Even if the software goes live, the work doesn’t stop. More resources need to be allocated to it to maintain, upgrade, and provide support. It can become an endless drain on the company.

They Believe an "Off-the-Shelf" Solution Won't Work

Companies convince themselves that their processes are so unique that no existing solution could possibly meet their needs. This idea typically originates from years of using customized spreadsheets or legacy systems. They don't realize that proven AWP software already exists for every project phase, from early phase planning to construction and workface planning to system completion and startup, and more.

The Harsh Reality of Building AWP Software In-House

Building your own AWP software is a slippery slope for several reasons:

Starting From Scratch

Building from the ground up means forgoing years of industry experience and best practices that have been refined through real-world implementation. Market-ready AWP solutions have been battle-tested across hundreds of projects. In-house teams have to navigate a steep and arduous learning curve to go live with a successful solution.

Development Costs Can Spiral Out of Control

Internal development costs are notoriously unpredictable. Initial estimates rarely account for full scope requirements, which leads to significant overruns. Teams run into unexpected challenges and need additional resources and tools as projects evolve. On average, large IT projects run 45% over budget, 7% over time, and deliver 56% less value than planned; 17% go so badly they threaten the company. Ultimately, companies can avoid ballooning costs by investing in proven AWP solutions.

Reaping the Rewards Takes a Long Time

Custom development can take several years before delivering meaningful value. During this period, companies have to rely on inefficient and outdated processes until they’re ready to go live. In contrast, AWP software solutions can be operational in no time and provide customized workflows to help you achieve operational excellence.

Limited Expertise In-House

Custom software typically becomes the domain of a few developers who understand its functionality. When key personnel leave, critical knowledge walks out with them, creating significant risk and potentially halting maintenance efforts until new expertise is developed.

Unending Cycle of Maintenance and Upgrades

Development doesn't end with initial release. Ongoing maintenance, security updates, and feature enhancements require continuous investment in resources that could be better utilized for core business initiatives.

The Advantages of Buying Purpose-Built AWP Software

Commercial AWP software solutions offer significant advantages without the limitations and risks of in-house development.

Ready to Use Quickly

Purpose-built software can be up and running in no time, delivering value to your project teams quickly. There's no need to wait years for custom development to wrap up or deal with the uncertainty of internal projects. Your teams start seeing improvements in visibility and productivity almost immediately.

Built By Experts in the Industry

Purpose-built AWP software comes from proven solution providers who live and breathe capital project management and Advanced Work Packaging. Their expertise ensures the software addresses real industry challenges and incorporates best practices gleaned from hundreds of successful projects.

Follows Construction Industry Institute Best Practices

Leading AWP solutions are built on industry standards from the Construction Industry Institute (CII). You're getting approaches that have been validated across countless projects, not experimental methods that might work.

Unburdens Your Team

When you go with purpose-built and battle-tested AWP software, your IT team can focus on supporting your core business systems and strategic initiatives. No more spending years tied up in custom development when they could be working on projects that help move capital projects forward.

Scalability

Innovative AWP platforms handle projects of any size, from smaller facilities to massive megaprojects. With agile development methodologies, AWP software gives companies the flexibility to meet their specific needs. Best-in-class providers are able to roll out new production releases as often as every two weeks. That means your company can access cutting-edge AWP technology immediately without investing years in developing it on your own.

24/7 Customer Support

You get ongoing support, training, and expertise from vendors who want you to succeed. That means regular software updates, new features, and access to best practices gathered from their entire customer base.

See How O3 Solutions Simplifies AWP

Don't let your projects suffer while your team reinvents the wheel. With over seven years of experience in the Advanced Work Packaging space, O3’s purpose-built solutions have supported over 500 capital projects and 20,000 users across several industries, including energy, mining and metals, industrial manufacturing, data centers, and infrastructure.

From early planning to system completion and startup, we have a solution to help your project every step of the way. Our robust cloud-based tools give you the visibility, automation, and standardization to achieve best-in-class execution. Your team can realize the benefits of Advanced Work Packaging without having to start from scratch or endure the risks of custom development.

Request a personalized demo today and discover how O3 Solutions can accelerate your AWP success!