VALVE DESIGN
Key message
“ The greatest project risks are often not the unknown technologies, but the unknown assumptions hidden within familiar technologies.” – Mr. Jason Rao, The Dow Chemical Company. The First-Time Factor reminds us that successful projects depend not only on what we know, but also on our ability to recognise what we may be unknowingly overlooking. In that sense, the most valuable engineering question may not be“ Have we done this before?” but rather“ What is different this time?”
Mr. Zhang Fei of COOEC described the First-Time Factor as a practical management framework that can be systematically addressed through risk assessment, design reviews, prototype testing, and independent verification. Based on his experience in subsea projects, he confirmed that such a structured approach has already demonstrated its value in managing firstof-kind applications. Collectively, these perspectives reinforce an important truth: First-Time Factors are not engineering anomalies. They are a natural consequence of industrial progress. As projects become larger, schedules tighter, supply chains more global, and technologies more diversified, organisations will increasingly encounter situations that are“ similar to” but not truly the same as anything they have previously experienced.
Looking ahead
The significance of the First-Time Factor becomes even greater in emerging industries such as liquefied hydrogen, CCUS, semiconductor manufacturing, and pharmaceutical facilities. For example, liquefied hydrogen facilities require operating temperatures and material performance combinations that differ significantly from conventional LNG experience. In these sectors, standards continue to evolve, operating experience remains limited, and historical references are often scarce. Under such circumstances, the ability to identify unfamiliar risks before they become project problems may represent a key competitive advantage. No organisation can eliminate every First- Time Factor. However, organisations can build the capability to recognise them earlier, discuss them openly, evaluate them systematically, and capture lessons learned for future projects. By doing so, uncertainty becomes manageable rather than disruptive. The ultimate objective is not simply to avoid valve troubles. It is to create an industry culture where hidden assumptions are challenged, uncertainties are communicated without hesitation, and experience is continuously transformed into organisational knowledge. In an era of accelerating technological change, this mindset may be as important as any technical innovation itself.
Key message
“ The greatest project risks are often not the unknown technologies, but the unknown assumptions hidden within familiar technologies.” – Mr. Jason Rao, The Dow Chemical Company. The First-Time Factor reminds us that successful projects depend not only on what we know, but also on our ability to recognise what we may be unknowingly overlooking. In that sense, the most valuable engineering question may not be“ Have we done this before?” but rather“ What is different this time?”
www. valve-world. net Valve World November 2026 33