Delivering greater value infrastructure – there has to be a better way forward?

As an industry we continue to struggle with the concept of value versus lowest price, when it comes to delivering infrastructure, invariably opting for the latter and often paying the long term consequences of such decisions.

But how do we, as a construction sector, move towards a value based approach? That’s where the Construction Playbook comes in. Why would we need to dream up anything different if the basis of delivering greater value, in all its guises, is already out there?

Alasdair Reisner, CEO of CECA, set the scene for conference delegates by giving a “whistlestop tour” of the Playbook:

“In June 2020, the UK Government outlined an agenda to deliver ‘better, greener, faster’ public works and Project Speed was established to deliver the UK Government’s public investment projects more strategically and efficiently. The Construction Playbook is a key pillar of Project Speed and part of broader changes in public and infrastructure procurement. The Construction Playbook complements these reforms by setting out 14 non-legislative policies and guidance for ‘how’ public works projects and programmes should be delivered.”

Whilst the Playbook is targeted at UK Government investments, given that it is a product of industry efforts, why wouldn’t we embrace these principles across the industry in Wales. And let’s face it, good practice is good practice!