1. HE the Minister involved
A3: Reducing the Time Taken and Increasing the Quality of the Scoping Phase of Environmental Impact Assesment
Background
Scoping is a critical, early step in the preparation of an Impact Assessment (IA) for major PDO project. The scoping process identifies the issues that are likely to be of most importance and eliminates those that are of little concern. Typically, this process concludes with the establishment of Terms of Reference for the preparation of an IA. In this way, scoping ensures that IA studies are focused on the significant effects, and time and money are not wasted on unnecessary investigations.
Currently, the IA scoping process is not clear to Ministry of Environment or other stakeholders, and this results in poor quality IA studies. As a result, the Ministry cannot make correct or timely decisions. There is often a delay in finalizing the IA study, a lengthening list of conditions for approval and an unaccounted cost for PDO executing additional mitigation actions.
Proposed Countermeasure(s)
An action plan to address the 5 key Root Causes was agreed with His Excellency the Minister.
All have been implemented:
Solution Selection
Current Conditions
Over the last 4 PDO projects, the IA sign-off has been delayed an average of 95 days due to awaiting scoping comments (see graph in the benefits). There is a direct consequential delay in the issue of Environmental Permits for projects, and so the projects are delayed.
Were PDO to start the projects without this, there is potential of getting 4 to 5 MECA fines per year which can vary from 1300 to $ per project.
Pilot:
SOP created to clarify and standardise the process, and a thorough desk-top review completed.
PDO Concept Engineers and MECA staff all trained.
Pilot completed by application to Hanya project.
Results:
Feedback for IA Scoping reduced to 15 days (84% reduction, which is a further 16% beyond the 30 days target). As a result, PDO projects Execution phase would gain the same benefit. Over a year, L2 benefits: 1.56 FTE
L2 benefits: Avoidance of potential MECA fines to $ is saved per project.
Additional unplanned L3 benefit: Improved communication and trust between MECA and PDO. Number of engagements between MECA and PDO are increased from 1 to 4 ( part of SOP).
Pilot Plan and Results
Performance Improved
Goal(s)
Within 1 year, reduce the time for MECA feedback on IA Scoping from average 95 days to 30 days (68% reduction).
Eliminate the risk of MECA fines.
Average 95 days
The following issues and root causes were identified:
- IA Scoping phase objectives and process are not clear.
- Lack of IA guidelines/regulation (MECA ).
- Lack of IA training for both PDO and MECA staff.
- MECA is not involved at an early enough stage of the scoping phase.
- MECA is not involved when IA TOR is prepared.
- Scoping Report is not shared with MECA during drafting the IA report. -
Analysis
HE the Minister involved
15 days
SOP finalized and is being followed by all parties. Performance is being tracked using Visual Management, and Leader Standard Work (LSW) is being driven, also with a series of Gemba Walks.
Follow up and Sustainability
SIPOC
Root Cause Analysis
Value stream map
LSW
Final SOP
Visual Management
VMB
As is PCE: 0.044
To be PCE: 0.12
Lean Practitioner: Nabil Al Lawati
Project Champion: Ahmed Al - Hinai (MECA) Date: 26/12/2017