Conceptual Design is the initial stage in the engineering process, aiming to translate client requirements into a technical concept that is feasible, safe, and economical, and can be developed into a more detailed design stage. At this stage, various alternative solutions are analyzed before selecting the best concept for development.
Purpose of Conceptual Design
Understand the project's needs and objectives.
Identify various alternative technical solutions.
Determine the most optimal design concept from a technical, economic, operational, safety, and environmental perspective.
Provide a basis for preparing the FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) or Detailed Engineering Design (DED).
Reduce the risk of design changes at later stages.
Scope of Work
In an engineering service company, Conceptual Design activities generally include :
- Data Collection
Client Requirements Study
Site Survey
Process Data Collection
Utility Data Collection
Identification of Applicable Regulations and Standards
- Alternative Study
Comparing Several Technology Options
Process Configuration Evaluation
Facility Location Analysis
Production Capacity Evaluation
Major Equipment Selection
- Process Engineering
Process Flow Diagram (PFD) Preparation
Heat & Material Balance
Process Description
Utility Requirements Identification
- Preliminary Engineering
Preliminary Plot Plan
Equipment Layout
General Arrangement
Preliminary Piping Concept
Preliminary Electrical Concept
Preliminary Instrumentation Concept
Civil & Structural Concept
- Technical Analysis
Capacity Analysis
System Reliability Analysis
Safety Review
Operability Analysis
Preliminary Environmental Assessment
- Economic Analysis
Investment Cost Estimation (CAPEX)
Operating Cost Estimate (OPEX)
Project Economic Analysis
Implementation Schedule Estimate
- Risk Analysis
Risk Assessment
Identification of Technical Risks
Identification of Construction Risks
Identification of Operational Risks
Deliverables
The main outputs of the Conceptual Design stage typically include:
- Design Basis
- Engineering Philosophy
- Concept Selection Report
- Feasibility Technical Report
- Process Flow Diagram (PFD)
- Heat & Material Balance
- Preliminary Plot Plan
- Preliminary Equipment Layout
- Preliminary Utility Diagram
- Preliminary Equipment List
- Preliminary Instrument List
- Preliminary Line List
- CAPEX Estimate
- OPEX Estimate
- Project Execution Strategy
- Project Schedule
- Risk Register
- Conceptual Design Report
- Team Involved
Conceptual Design development involves various engineering disciplines, including:
- Project Manager
- Process Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Piping Engineer
- Civil & Structural Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Instrumentation & Control Engineer
- HSE Engineer
- Cost Estimator
- Planning Engineer
- Procurement Engineer (for technology and vendor evaluation)
- Position in the Project Cycle
The general sequence of project stages in an engineering services company is:
- Business Opportunity / Client Requirement
- Feasibility Study
- Conceptual Design
- Front-End Engineering Design (FEED)
- Detailed Engineering Design (DED)
- Procurement
- Construction
- Commissioning
- Start-Up
- Operation & Maintenance
- Benefits of Conceptual Design
Good conceptual design implementation provides various benefits, including:
- Reducing the risk of design changes in subsequent stages.
- Improving the accuracy of project cost and schedule estimates.
- Assisting in the selection of the most appropriate technology.
- Being the basis for investment decision-making.
- Simplifying the FEED and Detailed Engineering Design processes.
- Reducing the potential for cost overruns and project delays.
Conceptual Design is one of the most important stages in an engineering project because decisions taken at this stage will affect the entire project life cycle, from detailed design, construction, operation, to facility maintenance costs.