Innovation at the Edge

The need to significantly improve the initiation and delivery of major projects is without question, as numerous studies point to under-performance when measured against time, cost, quality and benefits. This is somewhat unsurprising when major projects are, by definition, pushing boundaries of complexity and scale and often result in ‘first of a kind’ solutions. So what role should or could innovation play to deliver the improvements we need?

Is innovation best left to chance in the form of random mutations from current ‘best practice’? Or should it be a result from thorough investigation and analysis followed by a centrally directed transformation programme? Or somewhere in between in perhaps best realised through LEAN style continuous improvement?

Is it best to focus on product innovation (e.g. design), process innovation (e.g. project methods) or organisational innovation (e.g. delivery models). Or perhaps a bit of each?

How do we approach innovation that requires collaboration across organisational boundaries – which is typical in major projects? Can we incentivise innovation or do commercial structures and risk allocation get in the way?

Perhaps we should stop talking about innovation as a potential project panacea and instead just focus on getting the basics right first and then problem solving where the ‘basics’ are not working.

These are just some of the questions which will be explored at this seminar along with some examples from sponsors, client bodies, industry and research organisations to showcase what’s possible with “innovation at the edge”.

We’re delighted to confirm Gareth Parkes, Head of Data & Analytics, Sir Robert McAlpine as chair for this event. A full programme will be announced soon.