Engineering and construction businesses are more than ever aware of their dependence on project and programme management as core capabilities in their business delivery.
However, that is not enough and the leaders of many of these businesses are moving their organisations from a focus on functionality for an agreed cost to one of value for an agreed price. For many, this requires a cultural shift where openness and realistic planning is valued more than scheduling.
As well, factors such as sustainability are taking centre stage, as exemplified by the building programme for London 2012. The Park is the largest new urban parkland in Europe for 150 years and more than 60% of construction materials were brought to the site by rail or river to build it. As well, waste targets for construction were exceeded, achieving 98.5% reuse and 99% recycling of materials in demolition and construction. (London 2012 Sustainability report, April 2011; this document can be found in the publications section of london2012.com.)
London 2012 has provided many good lessons for engineering and construction, not least the value in embracing those to be impacted by the change early in the initiative.
We are pleased to be working with a number of leading organisations to improve their (or their clients’ or suppliers’) capability to deliver, in a socially responsible way. These include BAA, BAE Systems, Capita Symonds, EC Harris, Highways Agency and Network Rail.
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