Mission-led major projects
The role of major projects in delivering the Government’s mission and the impacts the mission may have on how major projects are governed and delivered.
Topic: Transition, transformation & business change
Managing change without losing control – Balancing flexibility and discipline in major projects Highlight Report
When projects have lifespans that run into years if not decades, some change is inevitable. Technology advances, the regulatory landscape shifts, stakeholder demands evolve and the economic circumstances in which the project was born can alter out of all recognition.
This creates many challenges and opportunities for project professionals. How do we distinguish between necessary adjustment to secure outcomes and undisciplined scope creep inflating costs and extending schedule? What kinds of governance and project controls are most effective in different circumstances or types of projects? What should leaders do to create an environment that supports their chosen approach to risk management?
This half day seminar will explore this topic through case studies of the very different change management challenges of Sizewell C and London’s Stratford Waterfront programmes. This will be complemented by insight from the energy and defence sectors, both of which are experiencing rapid changes to the environment in which their major projects and programmes are being delivered. There will also be an opportunity to hear from two of the contributors to the Association for Project Management’s new guide Project Controls in the 21st Century.
Trends in major project procurement Full Report
It is not only the UK government that is linking increased spending on infrastructure to growth and addressing key economic, environmental and social challenges. Across the globe there is ever growing demand for new energy sources for use in new locations, achieving climate resilience, addressing social mobility and urban renewal and all within a context of digital transformation.
As noted in other recent MPA events, funding is a key enabler for this increased spending (Developing new funding models for major infrastructure, 16 January 2025). But, there is little value in having funding if those who will design, develop and deliver the required infrastructure cannot be sourced and put to work. This is particularly the case for major projects where the supply base is often global and is able to pick and choose where it wants to deploy its resources. In simple terms, it is increasingly as case of a “sellers’ market”, so how do project clients secure the resources they require within financial and regulatory limits.
This full-day seminar will explore at trends in the procurement of goods and services for major projects both within the UK and globally. It will address:
- Global Perspective – what trends in procurement can we see in other markets that may have relevance here in terms of adoption and/or impact in securing appropriate suppliers for UK projects?
- How a major project client is securing innovation, productivity gains and greater certainty in delivery through procurement.
- Legislative changes within the UK and how this could impact supplier landscape from a supplier perspective.
- The supplier landscape, including constraints, market shaping, market creation opportunities, change in balance of power (sellers’ market).
- How clients can address the challenge a changing power-balance and still ensure responsible procurement addressing wider social and environmental considerations.
- Implications of the increasing use of AI in procurement for example:
o If all bidders use similar AI how do we know what they can do rather than the AI says they can do?
o AI tools reviewing bids generated by AI.
o Could choice decline as bidders just focus on those bids where they’ve a higher probability according to the AI?
The exploration of these topics will also provide a foundation for another full day seminar in November on the ‘Rise of the Delivery Partner’ as a particular global trend that is being increasingly adopted within the UK.
Trends in major project procurement Highlight Report
It is not only the UK government that is linking increased spending on infrastructure to growth and addressing key economic, environmental and social challenges. Across the globe there is ever growing demand for new energy sources for use in new locations, achieving climate resilience, addressing social mobility and urban renewal and all within a context of digital transformation.
As noted in other recent MPA events, funding is a key enabler for this increased spending (Developing new funding models for major infrastructure, 16 January 2025). But, there is little value in having funding if those who will design, develop and deliver the required infrastructure cannot be sourced and put to work. This is particularly the case for major projects where the supply base is often global and is able to pick and choose where it wants to deploy its resources. In simple terms, it is increasingly as case of a “sellers’ market”, so how do project clients secure the resources they require within financial and regulatory limits.
This full-day seminar will explore at trends in the procurement of goods and services for major projects both within the UK and globally. It will address:
- Global Perspective – what trends in procurement can we see in other markets that may have relevance here in terms of adoption and/or impact in securing appropriate suppliers for UK projects?
- How a major project client is securing innovation, productivity gains and greater certainty in delivery through procurement.
- Legislative changes within the UK and how this could impact supplier landscape from a supplier perspective.
- The supplier landscape, including constraints, market shaping, market creation opportunities, change in balance of power (sellers’ market).
- How clients can address the challenge a changing power-balance and still ensure responsible procurement addressing wider social and environmental considerations.
- Implications of the increasing use of AI in procurement for example:
o If all bidders use similar AI how do we know what they can do rather than the AI says they can do?
o AI tools reviewing bids generated by AI.
o Could choice decline as bidders just focus on those bids where they’ve a higher probability according to the AI?
The exploration of these topics will also provide a foundation for another full day seminar in November on the ‘Rise of the Delivery Partner’ as a particular global trend that is being increasingly adopted within the UK.
When we get it right a spotlight on success Highlight Report
While projects are often perceived as late and over budget, most actually meet intended outcomes and deliver to expectations. By reframing our thinking to focus on the successes, rather than just the failures in infrastructure delivery we can foster a more positive, solution-oriented approach that drives improvement and innovation.
This half day seminar will explore how highlighting successes can build delivery confidence, and encourages excellence, creating a replicable model for future projects. Bringing the public and politicians along on this journey is crucial for sustained support and investment confidence.
This event will help to challenge the perceptions of infrastructure project delivery. It will demonstrate how offering stakeholders a greater understanding of both the challenges and tangible benefits of projects creates a new level of trust that helps professionals navigate complex projects more effectively and secure vital support for future infrastructure.
Useful links mentioned in the ‘Project delivery performance reality check’ presentation by Dr. Paul Chapman OBE:
English Roads Major Schemes
Paper: Chapman, P., (2024) Project delivery performance: Insights from English roads major schemes, Project Leadership and Society Journal
Major Projects Association podcast hosted by Andy Murray with Paul Chapman and Nirmal Kotecha, former Head of Major Projects at National Highways: Project delivery performance: we’re actually quite good! Who knew and what changed? Sep 18, 2024
Public Accounts Committee (2007) Estimating and monitoring the costs of building roads in England
Nichols (2007) Review of Highways Agency’s Major Roads Programme
Swedish Rail and Road Project Performance
Chapman, P. (2024) Revisiting project delivery performance: Evidence from Swedish transport infrastructure, Project Management Journal
When we get it right – a spotlight on success Highlight Report
While projects are often perceived as late and over budget, most actually meet intended outcomes and deliver to expectations. By reframing our thinking to focus on the successes, rather than just the failures in infrastructure delivery we can foster a more positive, solution-oriented approach that drives improvement and innovation.
This half day seminar will explore how highlighting successes can build delivery confidence, and encourages excellence, creating a replicable model for future projects. Bringing the public and politicians along on this journey is crucial for sustained support and investment confidence.
This event will help to challenge the perceptions of infrastructure project delivery. It will demonstrate how offering stakeholders a greater understanding of both the challenges and tangible benefits of projects creates a new level of trust that helps professionals navigate complex projects more effectively and secure vital support for future infrastructure.
Useful links mentioned in the ‘Project delivery performance reality check’ presentation by Dr. Paul Chapman OBE:
English Roads Major Schemes
Paper: Chapman, P., (2024) Project delivery performance: Insights from English roads major schemes, Project Leadership and Society Journal
Major Projects Association podcast hosted by Andy Murray with Paul Chapman and Nirmal Kotecha, former Head of Major Projects at National Highways: Project delivery performance: we’re actually quite good! Who knew and what changed? Sep 18, 2024
Public Accounts Committee (2007) Estimating and monitoring the costs of building roads in England
Nichols (2007) Review of Highways Agency’s Major Roads Programme
Swedish Rail and Road Project Performance
Chapman, P. (2024) Revisiting project delivery performance: Evidence from Swedish transport infrastructure, Project Management Journal
Shaping transformations to deliver at pace and embed change Highlight Report
This event was previously titled ‘Taking the Medicine – Learning from Pharma and Life Sciences’.
It is important for companies to challenge the way their industries operate.
The insight you can gain from other sectors is endless and taking the time to consider the challenges other industries face, and how to overcome them, will enable businesses to think more creatively and develop richer solutions.
It’s never been a more appropriate time to reflect on the success of the pharmaceutical industry. The most recent accomplishment, developing a vaccine for COVID-19 in record time, is just one example of how robust planning, focused supply chain management, and cross-sector collaboration can deliver outstanding results.
There are many holistic learnings from this and similar projects that are applicable to all organisations, regardless of size, industry or market. For example, pharmaceutical companies are well versed in securing project funding, failing fast in development, creating partnerships and transforming end to end in a highly regulated environment. By considering these and other strengths, we can better understand how they can be replicated in other sectors.
The aim of this event is to spark ideas and initiate conversations that inspire fresh perspectives for planning and executing major projects in other sectors. The afternoon will consist of two panel discussions in exploring key themes of accelerating delivery and championing change. We will also put a spotlight on the development of Megalabs in Leamington Spa, and discuss key takeaways from this momentous project which has transformed the UK’s diagnostic facilities.
Major Projects Metamorphosis Highlight Report
Advances in data analytics and digital innovation have truly transformed some sectors and some aspects of everyday life, but practices and performance on major projects have largely remained the same.
What can be done to drive digital (or data) transformation in major projects beyond that of having more data/digital savvy organisations and stakeholders involved?
This session will be asking what the opportunities are, what barriers need to be overcome to seize them, what can major projects learn from other sectors and what can we be doing now?
We’re delighted to confirm Richard Corderoy, Managing Director, The Oakland Group as Chair for this event.
Project:Hack 11 Awards Evening will take place immediately after this event. Delegates are encouraged to join us for this networking opportunity by following this link.
Major Projects Metamorphosis Full Report
Advances in data analytics and digital innovation have truly transformed some sectors and some aspects of everyday life, but practices and performance on major projects have largely remained the same.
What can be done to drive digital (or data) transformation in major projects beyond that of having more data/digital savvy organisations and stakeholders involved?
This session will be asking what the opportunities are, what barriers need to be overcome to seize them, what can major projects learn from other sectors and what can we be doing now?
We’re delighted to confirm Richard Corderoy, Managing Director, The Oakland Group as Chair for this event.
Project:Hack 11 Awards Evening will take place immediately after this event. Delegates are encouraged to join us for this networking opportunity by following this link.