Possessions optimisation and digital engineering strategy
Fewer possessions. More output.
A smart planning console for optimising planned and reactive work to deliver more performance output through a smaller number of possessions.
0
modelled possessions
87%
task density
$3.8m
avoided service impact
0
open safety conflicts
Strategic context
Make each possession work harder without making it less safe
Sydney Metro operates with scarce access, high safety expectations, and a material cost for avoidable disruption. Possession optimisation gives asset, access, maintenance, and delivery teams a shared planning view from asset need through to field-ready work packs.
Bundle compatible work around critical anchor tasks so short night access is favoured where it can safely deliver the required asset outcome.
Bring asset strategy, works planning, access planning, logistics, permits, hazards, and field delivery into one visible decision flow.
Connect digital rehearsal, job packs, field capture, handback evidence, and post-work learning to the asset and works record.
Where the tool fits
The biggest planning leverage sits between workbank and field execution
The approach takes work generated by asset plans, condition models, inspections, compliance needs, and reactive events. It then helps planning teams to shape optimise work delivery plans into available access with the right resources and rehearse those plans for operational confidence.
- Combine work intelligently Criticality, compatibility, shared isolation, sequencing, and handback risk.
- Shape the access strategy Night possessions, weekend windows, single-day access, and longer blockades.
- Rehearse before lock-in Plant paths, worksite boundaries, hazards, staging, verification, and handback.
UK Network Rail ORBIS programme
Case study reference
My Work democratised work bundling for frontline teams
The Network Rail ORBIS programme introduced the use of handheld devices to 22,000 frontline staff. The My Work app enabled teams to intelligently combine jobs by locality, type and criticality into effective work plans. Teams greatly valued the flexibility it gave them, both in planning and in work execution. Their critical work backlog was virtually eliminated over a four-year period.
22,000
frontline users enabled
1m+
maintenance backlog items in 2012
9,500
backlog items by 2016
Nick Carter, one of Network Rail's 305 Section managers talks about the impact the My Work work packaging application had on his team and his patch. My Work was a capability built by Network Rail's ORBIS programme.
Planning suite
Seven connected menus for possession-count compression
Move from asset criticality and degradation forecasts through work combining, possession packaging, resources, rehearsal, and digital job packs.
Network overview
Metro geospatial possession map
Metro route geometry
Station
Possession package
Criticality model
Asset criticality editor
| Asset | Failure mode | Criticality | Policy end-stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRK 5.8-7.2 | RCF propagation | Tier 1 | 18 days |
| PM CEN-24A | Detection drift | Tier 1 | 7 days |
| PSD CAM-02 | Door timing variance | Tier 2 | 35 days |
Condition intelligence
Intervention planner
5.0 km5.56.06.57.07.5 km
Off-track
Future use
L rail
RCF
R rail
Wear
Corrugation
Off-track
Future use
Generated proactive workbank
- Grind L rail 5.46-6.20 km before RCF reaches re-rail trigger.
- Tamp and stoneblow R rail geometry defect 6.86-7.16 km within 21 days.
- Escalate wet-bed GPR signature for drainage inspection before next high-rain period.
Integrated workbank
Work combiner
T-90 to T-7 workflow
Possession packager
Maximise critical work density while preserving handback certainty and customer impact thresholds.
No re-railing in the same section as OHL work because the OHL RRV is not stable on unstressed rails.
Tamping clears before grinding enters the same linear footprint, with buffer and exclusion zones retained.
Readiness timeline
T-90 to T-1 package gates
Package readiness
Resource planner
Single possession simulation
Possession rehearsal
Rehearsal simulator
Selected possession sequence
Ready to rehearse
Ready to simulate
Runs one possession package through isolation, work sequencing, verification, re-energisation, plant paths, and handback gates.
Field mobilisation
Digital job pack creator
Package BK-04 · Day 2 night shift
Auto-assembled briefings, hazards, maps, permits, isolation diagrams, inspection forms, and handback certificates.
JOB PACK
Field delivery
Digital handover and assurance
Condition triggers, FMECA criticality, and early candidate possession sets.
Graph traversal checks isolation footprints, engineering train paths, and shared sites.
Briefing packs, PLB locations, exclusion geofences, and worksite authority locked.
Digital infrastructure handover form closes hazards and restores train-ready status.