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Scope of works development
Defining the full decommissioning scope — structures, plant, equipment, utilities, hazardous materials and site boundaries — to a level of detail that supports procurement and cost planning.
Decommissioning Planning
Decommissioning Planning Advisory.
Independent client-side decommissioning planning for industrial asset owners — scope definition, end-state planning, hazardous materials coordination, programme development and procurement strategy.
What we do
Decommissioning planning grounded in delivery experience.
Industrial decommissioning projects are complex, high-risk and often poorly understood until the work is underway. The decisions made in the planning phase — about scope, sequencing, hazardous materials, procurement and programme — shape everything that follows.
Professional Projects Group provides independent decommissioning planning advisory to asset owners. We bring direct delivery experience from major industrial decommissioning projects across Australia and the UK, and we work exclusively for owners — not contractors.
Planning services
What decommissioning planning advisory covers.
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End-state definition
Establishing the agreed end state for the asset and the regulatory, commercial and environmental requirements that define it — cleared brownfield, retained structure, or redevelopment-ready parcel.
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Hazardous materials coordination
Coordinating hazardous materials surveys, asbestos registers and contamination assessments to ensure the decommissioning scope is complete and the procurement strategy reflects actual site conditions.
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Programme development
Developing realistic decommissioning programmes that account for operational interfaces, regulatory approvals, contractor mobilisation and site access constraints.
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Procurement strategy
Advising on how to package and procure the decommissioning work — contract type, market engagement strategy, risk allocation and evaluation criteria.
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Constructability and methodology review
Reviewing proposed demolition and decommissioning methodologies for constructability, sequencing logic, safety risk and commercial implications before the work is tendered.
Why it matters
The planning phase determines the project outcome.
Most cost overruns and programme failures in decommissioning projects can be traced back to decisions — or the absence of decisions — made in the planning phase. Incomplete scope, uncharacterised hazardous materials, unrealistic programmes and poorly structured procurement are the most common causes.
Professional Projects Group has managed decommissioning planning for major industrial assets across Australia and the United Kingdom. We know where the gaps typically appear and how to close them before they become problems on site.
Our planning advisory is independent. We have no contractor relationships to protect and no interest in any particular procurement outcome. Our role is to give asset owners the clearest possible picture of what the decommissioning involves and the best possible basis for managing it.
Common questions
Decommissioning planning — what owners ask.
What should an industrial decommissioning scope of works include?
A thorough decommissioning scope of works should cover all structures, plant, equipment, utilities, underground services, hazardous materials and site boundaries within the project area. It should define what is to be demolished, what is to be retained, what is to be salvaged, and what the end state of the site should be. The scope should be developed to a level of detail that supports cost planning and procurement.
Who should prepare a decommissioning scope of works?
A decommissioning scope of works is best prepared by advisers with direct industrial demolition and decommissioning delivery experience — people who understand the practical constraints of sequencing, hazardous materials, contractor management and site access. Generic project management consultants without demolition experience tend to underestimate the complexity and cost of the work.
How long does industrial decommissioning planning take?
The time required for decommissioning planning depends on the size and complexity of the asset, the quality of existing asset information, and the decisions the planning needs to support. For a major industrial asset, a thorough planning phase typically takes three to six months. Compressed planning timelines tend to produce incomplete scopes, underestimated costs and poorly structured procurement.
When should decommissioning planning begin?
Decommissioning planning should begin as early as possible — ideally two to five years before the planned closure date for a major asset. Early planning gives owners time to characterise hazardous materials, obtain regulatory approvals, develop a competitive procurement process and fund the work. Late planning is one of the most common causes of cost overrun in industrial decommissioning.
Start a conversation
Planning an industrial decommissioning project?
We work with asset owners on decommissioning planning, scope development and procurement strategy for complex industrial assets. Contact us to discuss your project.
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