September 7, 2023 by This White Paper will summarize what AP-Networks has identified as the key elements of an effective Corporate Turnaround Assurance/Excellence/Best Practice Management Organization. AP-Networks observations are based on two decades of experience and lessons learned working with corporate excellence organizations (Projects and Turnarounds) of all sizes, including the supermajors, independent refiners as well as marquee chemical companies. The most expensive, complex projects that operating facilities such as refineries and petrochemical plants regularly undertake are major shutdowns, turnarounds, or outages (commonly referred to as STOs). This paper will focus on the practices and approaches that the top STO performers utilize to achieve predictable, competitive outcomes on these capital- and resource-intensive events. Being a top quartile performer at both STO preparation as well as execution has a meaningful impact on the company bottom line and the achievement of operational excellence. Indeed, these highly complex events require the contribution and dedication of functions and resources from across the entire site organization.