Mike: Good morning, and welcome everyone to our first corporate spotlight. My name is Mike Kilburn, VP of Regional Governance for North America, not Paul Turner. He has given me the reins today. I’m sitting here with Heinz Inabnit, VP of Technical Services with WSG and Chairman of the ICxA Advisory Council. Welcome, Heinz. Why don’t you give us a little background on you and WSG?
Heinz: Good morning, or good afternoon, depending on where you’re calling in from. It’s great to be here today. Thanks for having me on, Mike. As you said, I’m Heinz Inabnit, VP of Technical Services at WSG, based out of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. My background started in the trades as an instrumentation technologist. I came up through the automation side, then moved into the commissioning and start-up space, where I met you, Mike, and many others in the industry. It’s a small world out here in commissioning. Since then, I’ve continued growing my commissioning background and passion, and I’m happy to represent WSG as part of this corporate spotlight.
Mike: That’s good. We have a couple of things to go through today regarding ICxA and WSG. First, I would like to thank you and congratulate WSG on becoming a corporate sponsor with ICxA. It’s awesome. WSG has built a strong reputation in commissioning and technical services. What made now the right time to become a corporate member with ICxA?
Heinz: Well, I think the term “grassroots movement” might not be exactly right, but the movement ICxA is pushing forward is close to my heart. It’s something that I think will really set the industry apart. Being able to get in early, at ground zero of bringing this to the market, is huge. I don’t think you can really put a value on being part of something at its inception and having some ability to be part of that movement. It carries a lot of weight. It was a no-brainer to me and to our management team that we wanted to be part of this, especially with the background and the people involved in this group and organization. It really showcases how serious it is. There are real heavy hitters from a multitude of organizations and industries. That’s what gives this group its strength and made it such an easy yes for us to come on board.
Mike: That’s awesome, for sure. From your perspective, what value does an organization like ICxA bring to companies that are serious about improving project delivery and operational readiness?
Heinz: That’s a great question. The commissioning industry has been so isolated and siloed. I joke that it might be the overlooked part of the project delivery space. Essentially, you can stand as an individual or you can stand as a group. The more we bring team members together from different organizations, the more value we can bring to the table. There is also more strength when we say, “We’re part of ICxA.” It is the global assurance around commissioning and start-up, and it brings value through the strength of knowing you’re not doing this alone. It’s not just us saying it; a group of very powerful companies is standing behind it.
es.
Mike: I agree. Standardization of processes definitely helps. When you have a large group of people all rowing in the same direction, it helps quite a bit.
One of WSG’s strengths is supporting clients across the entire asset life cycle. How do you see industry standards and professional competency contributing to ensuring those project outcomes?
Heinz: I think standardization is important. We see bad actors out there saying they do commissioning, or companies setting commissioning expectations that don’t meet the standard or the bar. What we’re trying to avoid and alleviate is no different from recognized engineering practice, where we have minimums, guidelines, and standards. Within construction, you have many organizations standing behind minimum construction standards that must be followed. We need to implement that in commissioning. If we can’t standardize what should be done in a project, it is essentially the Wild West. We need to get away from “cowboy commissioning” and move toward following a standard and a practice. The good companies are already doing it. This is not new. You will hear companies say, “We already do it properly.” That’s great, but we need to set a global standard among the companies doing it properly, and we shouldn’t deviate from it. If you do deviate, you need a good reason and need to cover your bases because we want to ensure that a base standard of commissioning and start-up is followed. That will give our clients better projects. Outcomes will be better: cleaner, on time, more efficient, better products, and likely better outcomes than we would have expected.
Mike: For sure. You bring up a good point about cowboy commissioning. People used to think the project was built and then you simply turned it on. Once you can standardize the process of commissioning through operational readiness, you can ensure the intent of the project was met and that the project will run and operate safely, without downtime, for a long time. With that, the energy industry is evolving rapidly with LNG, hydrogen, carbon capture, data centers, and other emerging sectors. How important is it for commissioning professionals to continue to learn and adapt so they can work across multiple industries?
Heinz: That’s a good one. The technology in the industries we work in is changing, but I would say the process of commissioning is not changing. The base process, how we come in with a commissioning engineering plan, do commissioning planning in the front stage of a project, move through pre-commissioning and commissioning execution, then into start-up and operational readiness, stays the same. Whether you’re working on a data center, an LNG facility, or another sector, the process we follow is the same. Obviously, the technology and the SMEs involved in certain sectors change and vary. But the commissioning process is the same and should be standard. It’s important for commissioning professionals to understand that and stand behind it. Just because we move from industry to industry doesn’t mean we should drop the bar in one industry and not follow the same standards we follow in others.
Mike: One hundred percent. Being involved with ICxA, we understand that one of the mission statements is to standardize how commissioning gets done. To your point, it is not industry-dependent. The commissioning process is the same regardless of the end industry. How do you think corporate membership with ICxA will benefit your employees, both those early in their careers and experienced commissioning professionals?
Heinz: There are so many support documents, processes, and training programs within the ICxA platform. Whether you’re new to commissioning and want to test yourself, learn, and gain education, there is a wealth of material within the network. There is also a great commissioning network. If you want to meet people who are passionate about commissioning, it is truly a circle of the most passionate commissioning people I’ve ever met, which makes it unique. It’s a small world and a small circle. From a corporate standpoint, the processes, procedures, and templates allow true standardization. A lot of companies try to reinvent the wheel. They spend a lot of money building new execution procedures or commissioning standards for their company. In reality, they are all based on the same things and have been for a long time. People don’t always like to hear this, but I’m a big advocate that nobody has a truly special sauce. The standard base material they work from will be the same. The material available within the ICxA framework sets that base minimum. If you want to take it, strengthen it, and integrate it into your own corporate strategy, that’s great. But the base minimum is there, and setting that standard of “this is the base procedure that should be followed” is key.
Mike: I agree. You start with something and build on it. What qualities do you believe define an exceptional commissioning professional today beyond technical expertise? I know you mentioned that we’re a small group, but what defines those professionals today?
Heinz: In today’s world, we’re changing and adapting. The professionals who have an open mind and understand that one way is not the only way are the ones who stand out. Personally, I’ve had my eyes opened and have seen that things can be done in multiple ways. Sometimes people bring new and effective methods I had never seen before. Being open to the fact that the world is changing is important. We used to use paper check sheets; now we’re digital. There are still people who think a loop check is a continuity check on wiring. We need to educate people. Being open to learning and training is a big thing. If you’re new and looking for a reason to join, this is a great network of people with a tremendous amount of experience. The members I work with on the Advisory Council have been fantastic. I learn something every time we get in a room, and that’s invaluable. People who follow me outside commissioning know that I’m passionate about mentorship. This group provides mentorship to professionals who want to grow and learn. If commissioning is something you’re passionate about, this is definitely a group you should be part of.
Mike: I would agree one hundred percent. The old saying is that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but I would disagree with that in commissioning. You see people who have been in commissioning for 20 or 30 years and, to your point, have evolved, moved away from paper, embraced technology, and understood its importance. Commissioning professionals are a different breed. Some would say we’re a little unusual because of what we do, but I think that’s part of what makes us unique. After decades in the industry, what continues to inspire you to come to work every day and invest in developing the next generation of commissioning professionals?
Heinz: That ties into my passion for mentorship and having had great mentors. There are many great people who have worked in the industry, yourself included as one of the first mentors I had when I came into commissioning. You’re a key example of that, Mike, and I think you’re taking that into the world. From a learning and mentorship perspective, this team environment is key. There is a lot to learn from the people here, from this group, and from ICxA, whether it’s the platform itself or the training modules. We’re growing very fast. When we talk about that grassroots movement, making change, and changing the industry globally, this is a tool, network, and framework that will allow people to connect, share experiences, and talk about what’s working and what’s not. We’re trying to create standardization from a global network.
Mike: I agree. Mentorship is key. The certification you can get through ICxA also helps with the education portion, but boots-on-the-ground learning from people who have done it before definitely helps and builds everyone. Looking ahead, WSG operates globally while delivering solutions locally. How does being part of an international community like ICxA help strengthen collaboration and share best practices across all the regions you work in?
Heinz: It’s been huge for us. Coming from a smaller background, where I was working fairly isolated within the Canadian market and a little into the U.S., it was easier to maintain continuity from a process and procedure standpoint. As you grow into a multinational operation working around the globe, it becomes much harder. Whether we’re in a module yard in Asia, an offshore facility in Australia, the UK, or North America, it is a spread-out team. They are working under different guidance, principles, regulations, and leadership teams. Ensuring that we set a base standard that is followed globally is huge for us. A lot of our clients operate multinationally as well. If we work for Company X in Asia and take that product to North America, we want to ensure that the same standard we followed in Asia is replicated in Canada. Obviously, regulations or rules may change, but the base principles we operate under need to stay the same. For our clients, that guarantees that when they put their trust in us to execute a project, it doesn’t matter where in the world it happens: our standard and process are the same. Using a platform like ICxA, which is a digital online tool, allows us to train staff within that framework. If we can get all our commissioning technicians ICxA-certified, we set a base minimum that says our team is following a principle, and that principle is being implemented globally.
Mike: And I think it also shows clients that WSG’s commitment to quality, safety, and professional excellence is strong.
Heinz: Absolutely.
Mike: Over the next five years, where do you see the commissioning profession evolving, and what role do you hope WSG and ICxA will play in shaping that future?
Heinz: I think commissioning is going to take a bigger role in the project life cycle. We talk about it a lot, and it’s getting more of the limelight, because if things go wrong, they usually fall within the commissioning and start-up phase. If we can’t get a project online, miss targets, or miss production values, that doesn’t look good for investors. From an investment perspective, people are starting to realize commissioning is not just a checkbox in an execution strategy or stage gate. It is important for us to make sure our clients understand that we’re putting start-up in mind early in the project. As we get into FEED, we’re already talking about commissioning philosophy, commissioning methodologies, and how to integrate them with industry practices such as advanced work packaging. CII groups are very good at talking about stage gates, but the question is: how do we make sure the ICxA standard and the process we’re putting into projects are considered early? In five years, I see this movement catching a lot of speed. I truly believe this will be implemented in every project. With ICxA procedures being ISO-formatted and with governing policies supporting implementation, my hope, and I have a lot of belief in it, is that this becomes a globally accepted standard. In five years, I hope everyone knows who ICxA is.
Mike: One hundred percent. You mentioned getting in early. Part of standardization is not just early engagement; it is also commissioning, operational readiness, and outcome assurance across the whole project life cycle. I’m going to ask you a few lightning-round questions. We’ll hit you with some rapid-fire ones and see where we go from there. One word that describes WSG’s culture.
Heinz: Family.
Mike: Nice. What excites you most about the future of commissioning?
Heinz: Advancement. I think commissioning is coming to the front.
Mike: What advice would you give someone entering the commissioning profession today?
Heinz: If I can answer in a sentence, I would say go in with an open mind and find a company that follows a true process. You want a company that will have your back in the commissioning world.
Mike: One hundred percent. What’s one misconception people have about commissioning?
Heinz: That you come in at mechanical completion.
Mike: I don’t disagree with that. Finish this sentence: successful projects begin with…
Heinz: The end in mind.
Mike: You hear that a lot. I appreciate you taking the time. I’ll finish with one last question and then we can wrap up today’s call. If you could leave one message for organizations considering joining ICxA as a corporate member, what would you tell them?
Heinz: Don’t wait. The value we’re getting as an organization is invaluable. If you get in early now, you can be one of those legacy companies. In the sports world, when you talk about the original teams that start a league, those organizations become part of the movement. The organizations joining now truly showcase their investment in commissioning. If you’re a true organization that believes in commissioning, putting weight behind setting a bare minimum standard and standing up for your own industry is important. There is no time like now to join a group advocating for your industry.
Mike: One hundred percent. I couldn’t say it better myself.
Mike: I’ll end it with that. Thank you for your time, and we’ll be talking soon.
Heinz: Appreciate it. Thanks, Mike. Cheers.
Visit icxa.net for more information.