The discussion at the DaratechPLANT2001 conference did not focus on any particular initiative, but rather shared industry perspectives regarding the practical implementation of new industry standards in general. It may prove a massive undertaking to develop a comprehensive, universally adaptable data model, but implementing one is perhaps an even greater challenge. In order for such an initiative to work, several things all have to happen. Software vendors must be willing to open up their systems for data sharing. IT managers must cost-justify and approve the new systems. Engineers, contractors, managers and owner/operators must all agree on the merits, design and adoption of the new model.
Even then, compliance could prove elusive. Much of the discussion at Daratech was spent exploring the practical implementation and enforcement of industry standards for plant design and construction. Unfortunately, time did not permit extensive discourse, but some interesting points were raised and thoughtfully discussed.
One observation from the audience was seminal to the issue of standards adoption: the critical need to elicit unilateral involvement among software vendors, owners, engineers and contractors during the standards development process. Such cooperation, it was noted, is indispensable to ensure the essential usefulness of industry standards, and also to get the "buy-in" needed to implement and enforce them.
In response it was pointed out that many well-organized companies have long ago made significant capital investments in the independent development of in-house standards, many of which are no doubt superior in key respects to industry standards now under development by (and for) late-comers. This will be a natural barrier-to-entry for many of the most important and influential players of all: those with insight and experience at successfully restructuring work processes and implementing new technologies. Most of these firms are unlikely to forfeit several years' worth of their own strategic investments and intellectual assets on behalf of their would-be competitors.
