The shift from document-centric to data-centric EPC is not achieved by replacing software. It requires a change in how project information is defined, created, and managed — from the earliest project phase. Here is a practical starting point:

• Start with a data model: before selecting tools, define what data objects your projects produce and how they relate to each other — tags, documents, materials, work packages, and assets
• Select an integrated EDMS/EPC platform: choose a system that treats engineering deliverables as structured data objects, not just files — enabling automatic linkage between documents, tags, and procurement items
• Enforce data standards from FEED: data-centricity only works if information is structured consistently from the beginning; establish naming conventions, tag registers, and document coding standards before engineering begins
• Connect procurement and construction: ensure that your platform links engineering data directly to procurement requisitions and construction work packages — eliminating manual re-entry and version risk
• Invest in change management: the technology is the easier part; the harder part is changing how engineers, document controllers, and project managers think about and handle information