The Shutdown, Turnaround and Startup Readiness Training Course by The British Academy For Training and Development is designed to develop the knowledge and practical skills required to plan, coordinate, execute and close major shutdown and turnaround activities safely and efficiently. The programme focuses on Turnaround Readiness, covering shutdown strategy, TAR planning, maintenance coordination, resource mobilisation, risk management, commissioning preparation and operational startup.

As part of the Operations Readiness and Assurance Training courses specialisation and the Engineering maintenance and operation category, this course provides a structured approach to shutdown, TAR, startup planning, maintenance and operational assurance. Participants learn how to establish readiness criteria, manage interfaces between operations and maintenance teams, monitor critical milestones, control risks and verify that facilities, personnel, systems and procedures are prepared for a safe return to service.

• Understand the principles and lifecycle of shutdown and turnaround management.
• Develop effective Turnaround Readiness strategies and readiness criteria.
• Strengthen shutdown and TAR planning, scheduling and coordination.
• Integrate maintenance activities with operational requirements.
• Identify critical resources, materials, equipment and workforce requirements.
• Apply risk assessment and safety controls throughout shutdown activities.
• Develop effective startup and commissioning readiness plans.
• Establish readiness reviews, assurance gates and performance indicators.
• Improve communication between operations, maintenance, engineering and contractors.
• Manage changes, delays, constraints and unexpected issues during TAR execution.
• Verify operational, mechanical, safety and documentation readiness before startup.
• Support a controlled transition from shutdown execution to normal operations.

Target Audience

• Operations and Maintenance Managers
• Shutdown and Turnaround Managers
• Turnaround Planners and Coordinators
• Maintenance Engineers and Supervisors
• Operations Engineers and Supervisors
• Reliability and Asset Integrity Professionals
• Project and Engineering Managers
• Commissioning and Startup Personnel
• Planning and Scheduling Professionals
• HSE and Process Safety Professionals
• Production and Plant Managers
• Contractors and technical personnel involved in TAR activities

Module 1: Fundamentals of Shutdown and Turnaround Management

• Shutdown, turnaround and startup concepts
• TAR lifecycle and governance
• Operational readiness principles
• Roles, responsibilities and accountability
• Critical success factors for TAR programmes

Module 2: Turnaround Readiness Framework

• Readiness assessment principles
• Readiness criteria and deliverables
• Readiness assurance gates
• Readiness dashboards and performance indicators
• Identifying and closing readiness gaps

Module 3: Shutdown and TAR Planning

• Developing shutdown strategies
• Work scope definition and validation
• Work pack development
• Activity sequencing and prioritisation
• Schedule development and critical path management
• Shutdown planning interfaces

Module 4: Maintenance Planning and Coordination

• Preventive and corrective maintenance integration
• Maintenance backlog assessment
• Equipment isolation and preparation
• Inspection, repair and replacement planning
• Materials, tools and spare-parts readiness
• Maintenance quality controls

Module 5: Resource and Contractor Readiness

• Workforce planning and mobilisation
• Contractor management
• Competency and training requirements
• Equipment and temporary facilities
• Logistics and material availability
• Workforce productivity and readiness tracking

Module 6: Risk, Safety and Process Integrity

• Shutdown risk assessment
• Permit-to-work requirements
• Isolation and lockout/tagout considerations
• SIMOPS and interface risks
• Emergency preparedness
• Process safety and asset integrity controls

Module 7: TAR Execution and Performance Control

• Monitoring shutdown and turnaround progress
• Schedule and cost control
• Daily performance management
• Constraint and issue management
• Change control
• Escalation and recovery planning

Module 8: Startup Planning and Commissioning Readiness

• Startup strategy and sequencing
• Pre-commissioning and commissioning readiness
• Systems and equipment verification
• Operating procedures and documentation
• Operator competency and workforce readiness
• Startup risk assessment

Module 9: Operational Readiness and Assurance

• Operational readiness reviews
• Mechanical completion and handover
• Punch-list management
• Safety and regulatory readiness
• Documentation and records verification
• Final readiness approval

Module 10: Post-Turnaround Review and Continuous Improvement

• Shutdown and TAR closeout
• Performance evaluation
• Lessons learned
• Root cause analysis of delays and failures
• Cost and schedule performance review
• Improving future turnaround programmes