Polarion ALM is a web-based project management platform that helps teams keep communication and documentation unified throughout a project. In my thesis, I explored how Polarion can be used to digitalize the processes of Advanced Work Packaging (AWP), a project-planning method widely used in engineering and construction. By working with Polarion’s work items, Live Reports, documents, and workflows, it becomes possible to bring many AWP practices into a digital environment and reduce repetitive manual work.
To understand the more interesting features, it is first necessary to describe the structure used in AWP. The process begins with Engineering Work Packages (EWPs), which I transformed into a specific work item type in Polarion. Each EWP is created based on its trade and area. Construction Work Packages (CWPs) are not created as a separate work item type; instead, an EWP becomes a CWP by simply switching a custom field to “true.” Installation Work Packages (IWPs) are also treated differently: instead of being a work item, IWP becomes a document. This allows the project to collect schedules, costs, weekly plans, and other practical field information together in one place.
One of the most exciting features explored in the thesis is the automatic creation of IWPs based on the selected EWP. Using a Live Report page, I created a page parameter that lists all existing EWPs. Once a user selects an EWP, Polarion retrieves its trade and area and uses those details to form a title for the new IWP. The format follows a clear pattern: IWP TRADE AREA NUMBER_IN_ORDER, where the last number indicates how many IWPs of the same trade and area already exist. For example, if two IWPs with trade 01 and area 03 were previously created, the next one would automatically be named IWP 01 03 003. After generating the title, a button in the Live Report triggers the creation of a new document from a template, applying the newly formed name to it.
The result is a fully structured IWP document with predefined fields and formatting ready for use. This approach significantly reduces manual work and ensures that IWPs are generated consistently, which is especially valuable in large projects where clarity and structure matter.
Another interesting result of the thesis is a Live Report–based Highcharts visualization that displays all items marked as Pending or Delivered during the last three months. The implementation begins with forming an array of weekly dates, displayed on the chart’s horizontal axis in a year-week format (for example, 2024-05). After that, the system scans the revision history of all items to track how their statuses changed over time. Based on this information, it compiles two final arrays: one showing how many items were delivered each week, and another showing how many remained pending. These arrays become two separate lines on the chart.
Once all the data is prepared, the Highcharts logic is implemented through JavaScript inside the Live Report. The result is a clear, interactive visualization that shows trends in weekly item progress. This makes it easier for managers and team members to follow workload changes, identify bottlenecks, and see how much work is still ahead before reaching a deadline.
Overall, Polarion offers a wide range of possibilities for further development. With the tool data synchronization can be improved, new automations can be added, and more flexible code solutions can be integrated. In my view, this open space for continuous improvement is what makes the digitalization of AWP so engaging. There is always potential to build smarter, more efficient processes and this ongoing development is what keeps the work interesting and meaningful.
Permanent URL for the thesis: https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025120332128
