Systematic Project Planning

Systematic project planning differs somewhat from programmatic planning since the former needs to address site-specific subtleties and idiosyncrasies. Pertinent site-specific aspects could include contaminant migration caused by underground utilities, unique geologic conditions, comingling of on-site and off-site contamination sources, and the presence of sole-source aquifer recharge zones or inhabited buildings in proximity to the petroleum release. The systematic project planning process is meant to link project goals, as developed by the Reuse Team, to the data collection effort needed by identifying data gaps in the project-specific conceptual site model (CSM).

• Understanding the release, fate, and transport mechanisms for petroleum constituents of concern,
• Identifying data gaps that prevent confident decision making,
• Predicting exposure; and,
• Communicating among the SMEs and stakeholders.

Systematic project planning typically involves SMEs and stakeholders and includes three primary elements:

1. Identifying project objectives, constraints (such as anticipated land use, funding), the regulatory framework, primary/secondary decisions, and the end data users to ensure collection of information sufficient to manage uncertainty in the context of required site decisions.
   
   
2. Constructing and maintaining a CSM that captures information pertinent to the primary/secondary decisions that must be made.
   
   
3. Establishing a process for directing the project as new information is generated about the CSM so that decisions can be made with acceptable levels of confidence.
   
   

The CSM can be thought of as any site depiction(s) or representation(s) that helps stakeholders to conceptualize, visualize or model contamination concerns in order to make predictions about the nature and extent of contamination at the site. An accurate CSM can be used to delineate where contamination is present so that stakeholders can make decisions about the need for further characterization. The CSM can be used to help understand how to best assess risk and to help establish the types of remedial action that could be used to mitigate risk. The CSM has a life cycle that starts with the inception of the project and that continues until the project is completed. As a result, often planning, DWS and RTMS function together to refine and refresh the CSM throughout the project.

Learn more about CSMs at the Triad Conceptual Site Model Development page.

Systematic project planning continues throughout a project, from the site assessment/characterization stage to the remedy/reuse stage. As a result, it is critical that the SME and stakeholders involved in systematic project planning formalize a process for the periodic rapid review and response to newly generated information throughout the life cycle of the project. The investigation approach used for The Milltown Redevelopment Site helps demonstrate how systematic project planning can be used to plan and execute a site characterization project (see highlight box).

 Milltown Redevelopment Site

You may also learn more about systematic planning at the Triad Systematic Planning page.