Control of Work (CoW) is the backbone of safe operations. It governs how permits are issued, how isolations are planned and verified, and how risks are controlled during work execution. When these processes break down—through disconnected workflows, poor visibility, or human error—small gaps can escalate into serious events.
That’s why modern CoW software must address the following key areas:
- Can you create mobile job packs that bring permits, risk assessments, isolation references and procedures together in one place—or are teams still piecing together critical information under pressure?
- Can it manage complex isolations, shutdowns and turnarounds with dependencies—not just display work on a map?
- Will it scale across sites without expensive customization every time a workflow changes?
- Are workflows easy for frontline operators, maintenance teams and contractors to execute?
Why this matters?
Slow time to value limits ROI
Costly customization and slow system changes make platforms expensive to operate and slow to evolve. As requirements change, the total cost of ownership increases. Configuration becomes resource-intensive, limiting the ability to scale efficiently.
Shutdowns and turnarounds demand disciplined isolation governance
During major maintenance events, isolations become highly interdependent. Safe execution depends on disciplined control of sequencing, verification and dependency logic—not simply displaying isolation points on a screen. When multiple teams, phases and systems overlap, even small sequencing gaps can create dangerous conditions.
Consistent safety execution with fewer delays
Digitized Job Packs bring together all critical elements of a task—permits, risk assessments, isolations and procedures—into a single, structured workflow that guides work from planning to execution. At the point of starting work, every worker has a complete, approved, and up-to-date view of what needs to be done and how to do it safely, without relying on disconnected systems or last-minute coordination.
How to evaluate control of work solutions
To help buyers evaluate their options, here’s how Sphera’s Control of Work compares to overly complex alternative platforms:
Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS)
Sphera Control of Work
A real-time, accurate site map enables teams to quickly identify SIMOPS risks, including overlapping work and barrier impairments. A built-in Gantt planning tool proactively exposes scheduling conflicts to support safer coordination.
Overly complex alternative platforms
SIMOPS visualization is often limited in accuracy, making real-time conflict detection unreliable. Without an integrated Gantt planning tool, teams must manually identify scheduling clashes.
Isolation Management
Sphera Control of Work
Supports complex isolation plans, including phased isolations and dependencies—creating a tightly connected system for SIMOPS and shutdowns/turnarounds. Strong dependency control helps prevent sequencing gaps that can escalate into serious events.
Overly complex alternative platforms
Limited ability to support complex isolations that require sequencing, verification, and dependency logic. This becomes a significant challenge during shutdowns and turnarounds.
Scalability & Self-Service
Sphera Control of Work
Preconfigured, best-practice workflows simplify scaling across sites. Self-service administration enables teams to maintain and evolve workflows as needs change, while pre-approved templates for permits and isolations accelerate deployment and updates.
Overly complex alternative platforms
Extensive customization and limited self-service make system changes slow and costly. Updates often become project-based efforts, increasing long-term cost, complexity and resource demands.
Implementation & Adoption
Sphera Control of Work
Faster, structured deployments with preconfigured, best-practice permits, isolations, risk assessments and workflows—accelerating rollout and driving higher adoption across sites.
Overly complex alternative platforms
Require extensive configuration and customization, often leading to long professional services engagements. Complex, multi-module deployments can further slow rollout.
Total Cost of Ownership
Sphera Control of Work
Lower total cost of ownership through faster implementation and the ability to make configuration changes in-house, eliminating ongoing professional services fees. Best-practice configurations can be easily replicated across sites for consistent, scalable deployment.
Overly complex alternative platforms
Higher total cost of ownership driven by complex implementation and ongoing reliance on professional services. Continued dependence on technical specialists increases cost and limits flexibility.
Why organizations choose Sphera Control of Work
Accelerate time to value and lower total cost of ownership
Unlike heavily customized and complex platforms that are costly and difficult to scale, Sphera enables teams to manage many configuration changes themselves. This reduces reliance on third-party partners and lowers the total cost of ownership. The result is a standardized, adaptable CoW solution that scales across the organization without long-term complexity.
Confidently execute complex shutdowns and turnarounds
Sphera Control of Work is purpose-built to manage the complexity of shutdowns and turnarounds, where isolations are highly interdependent, and multiple teams work in parallel. It supports the full spectrum of isolation scenarios—from simple personal lockout/tagout (LOTO) to large-scale, multi-phase, high-risk process isolations.
Integrated SIMOPS planning provides real-time visibility into overlapping work, enabling teams to identify and mitigate conflicts before they escalate. Combined with structured workflows and strong dependency management, this ensures isolations are properly sequenced, verified, and coordinated across all phases of work.
Greater adoption and return on investment
Sphera’s global team of industry-leading subject matter experts brings deep experience across high-risk industries. This ensures customers receive practical, real-world guidance tailored to their operational challenges. Beyond implementation, SMEs provide coaching and training that equip teams with the confidence and capability to perform at their best from day one.
