Crossrail Systems Integration – Lessons Learned and Good Practice in Managing Interdisciplinary Systems Integration through each Stage of the Crossrail Programme

Abstract

This paper sets out the main observations and lessons learnt about the integration of many different systems and the interdisciplinary coordination activities as taken from the Chief Engineers Group experience of the Crossrail Programme and highlights a strategy for Systems Integration that could be applied on other Mega Projects. These multiple systems and sub-systems have been brought together and proven to work together in a fully integrated way during the course of the works programme. This process of systems integration needed to be managed effectively from the earliest stages of outline Design through all the Installation and Testing stages right up to Handover. There was not sufficiently detailed information provided in the original Works Information on the requirements and responsibilities for integration activities. This information had to be developed and instructed later in the Design Phase. To achieve the ultimate goal of full integration at the point of handover of the infrastructure to the end-user it is important that a dedicated, central team is put in place at the very start of the programme with responsibility to actively manage the System Integration activities that must be carried out by the Contractors and their Designers, Manufacturers, Installers, Test and Commissioning teams.