What Is Surveillance?
Expediting is the tracking of progress in the manufacture and delivery of an order and the early identification of the risk of delay. Its focus is the SCHEDULE, not quality; in practice, however, it is usually run together with surveillance.
Why Is It Done?
The aim is to see a delay weeks in advance and act, rather than learn of it on the delivery date. In a project schedule, one late item of equipment usually causes a knock-on loss far larger than its own delay.
Who Requests It?
- EPC contractors and project managers
- Owners of investment projects
- Organizations managing multi-vendor procurement
- Buyers of long-lead-time equipment
- Shipyard and power plant projects
Scope of Surveillance
- Verification of order confirmation and delivery schedule
- Status of engineering and approval documents
- Material procurement status and sub-order tracking
- Manufacturing start and stage progress
- Review of bottleneck and critical path analysis
- Subcontractor performance
- Inspection and test calendar
- Packaging and shipping preparation
- Transport planning and documentation preparation
- Delay risk and recovery plan
Related Standards
- ISO/IEC 17020
- ISO 10005
Method and Equipment
- Progress tracking and reporting system
- Photographic recording equipment
- Document review access
Surveillance Process
- 1Defining Scope and CriteriaThe order specification, the inspection and test plan (ITP), the delivery schedule and the reporting frequency are agreed with the buyer.
- 2Supplier AssessmentThe supplier's quality system, capacity, subcontractors and past performance are reviewed; a risk level is assigned.
- 3Surveillance PlanBased on the risk level, the frequency of site visits, the hold and witness points and the reporting calendar are planned.
- 4On-site SurveillanceThe surveyor attends the works during manufacturing, performing document checks, process observation and witnessing of inspections.
- 5Progress and Schedule MonitoringProgress against the plan is monitored; the risk of delay is identified early and reported to the buyer.
- 6Managing NonconformitiesDeviations found are reported, corrective action is requested and its close-out is followed up.
- 7Shipment Release and Close-outThe final inspection and the documentation package are checked; release for shipment is granted and a close-out report is issued.
Surveillance Report
- Details of the survey company, the surveyor and the buyer
- References to the order, the specification and the ITP
- Date of the visit and scope of the surveillance
- Findings of the document check
- Stage of manufacture and progress status
- Inspections and tests witnessed
- Nonconformities found and the status of corrective action
- Assessment of the schedule and the risk of delay
- Photographic records
- Recommendations for the next surveillance visit
- Order information and contractual delivery date
- Progress percentage by stage
- Comparison of planned and actual dates
- Delay risk assessment and its causes
- Status of critical material and sub-orders
- Recommended recovery actions
Limits of the Report
Expediting is not a quality surveillance activity: it is focused on progress and schedule. The progress percentage stated in the report does not contain any statement about the quality of manufacturing. Furthermore, the surveyor monitors and reports progress; the authority and responsibility for accelerating manufacturing rests in the contract between the supplier and the buyer.
Accreditation
Surveillance activities are carried out under ISO/IEC 17020, which requires the impartiality of the survey body, the competence of its personnel and the validity of the survey methods. The impartiality rule is decisive: a survey body may not be a party to the trade in, or the manufacture of, the goods it surveys. EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation under ISO/IEC 17020, granted by accreditation bodies that are signatories to the ILAC mutual recognition arrangement; because accredited scope is defined per type of surveillance, it is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Scope and authorisationsRelated Surveillance Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Does expediting prevent delay?
It does not prevent it by itself; it makes it visible. Its value lies in early warning: when the delay risk is known weeks in advance, options such as alternative sourcing, expedited transport, or schedule revision are still possible. When a delay is only learned about on the delivery date, these options are no longer available.
What is the difference between desk and field expediting?
Desk expediting is querying progress by phone and email; it is fast and inexpensive but relies on the supplier's own statements. In field expediting, the surveyor visits the facility and actually sees the progress. For critical orders, a site visit is preferred; the gap between declared progress and reality is most often revealed on site.
Does surveillance reduce the supplier's responsibility?
No, it does not. The surveyor observes and reports on behalf of the buyer; the supplier remains responsible for the quality of manufacturing and compliance with the contract. A surveillance report is not a statement of acceptance.
Is the surveyor present on site continuously?
This depends on the level of surveillance. On critical projects, continuous (resident) surveillance is applied; on others, visits are made at specific hold points. Manufacturing carried out while the surveyor is not present falls outside the scope of the report, and this is clearly stated in the report.
How is the independence of the surveillance body ensured?
Surveillance is carried out under ISO/IEC 17020, which requires impartiality and the prevention of conflicts of interest. The surveillance body cannot be a party to the design or production of the manufacturing it surveys.