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.
Document Type: Study Reports
The Association undertakes studies of relevance for its members. The reports are for members only so please do not share outside of your organisation.
Cancellation of major projects: Perspectives on rethinking the approach to major projects – inspired from HS2 Phase 2 lessons
HS2’s Phase 2 cancellation in October 2023 provides a snapshot of wider issues facing major projects and an opportunity to rethink the UK’s approach to them.
No More Heroes – Leadership Capability
Moving the dial on the leadership capability for major projects is one of the Major Projects Association’s landmark objectives for our 2025 Strategic Plan.
Do we know where the next generation of great project leaders will come from, how do we develop them, what capabilities do they need given the increasing complexity and expectations of our major projects, and so will we have enough project leaders given the size of the pipeline of major projects it is anticipated the UK needs?
The purpose of this study was to understand the current landscape and determine if there were any gaps to be filled.
The Association’s Capability Task & Finish Group and our members have informed and shaped this report on the
capability required of future leaders.
The Great Reshuffle
Through analysis of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) data of protected characteristic groups one Major Projects Association member observed a higher female employee ‘churn’ rate in 2021 compared to previous years. The global pandemic (Covid-19) may have contributed to this, and we were keen to explore the data across the membership to see if any trends emerged.
Wellbeing in Major Projects
Creating and managing a workable wellbeing policy is complex. Through a series of events, discussions and research the Major Projects Association set out to explore some of these complexities and provide a starting point for organisations seeking to create a policy or to understand the impact of poor wellbeing upon their teams and their projects. This report summarises the key findings, gives some detailed case studies and signposts helpful resources.
Better Early Project Conversations – the human side of project initiation
The Association commissioned this study to provide further support to what is a vital stage of major projects, with the objective of encouraging professionals to focus on how leaders work and talk together. As one senior Association member told us, ‘What really matters is the quality and depth of the early conversations between the key players.’ This report provides guidance and insight on what those conversations ought to cover and how they should be conducted.
At the end of the report there is a non-exhaustive list of topics for these early conversations and some prompts for the issues they should cover.
Building the Courage to Act Now
Position Statement on Environmental Sustainability of Major Projects
This paper outlines the position of the Major Projects Association towards creating more environmentally sustainable major projects. The key to unlocking the challenge of reducing CO2e emissions is a shift in mindset; not waiting to be told, not waiting for perfection. The time to act for those involved in the commissioning and delivery of major projects is now.
The Association signed up to the UN Global Compact and we have pledged to use our position of influence to drive environmental
sustainability through major projects. This includes a call on Government, institutions and members to work together to change the system
to use the true cost of embodied and operational carbon in investment appraisal, procurement and delivery models.