Can We Change Project Outcomes Without Changing How We Build?

We’ve put forward the view over many years that change in the construction industry is driven by procurement as much as it is by innovation and commercial factors.

If we want a more sustainable and resilient built environment, one that works better for the people who use it and for society at large, the change of priorities has to be hard wired into procurement practice.

The Infrastructure and Projects Authority clearly understands this point and makes it an important underlying theme in the Transforming Infrastructure Roadmap (TIP).

Methods and Outcomes

Ensuring better project outcomes are delivered is closely linked to decisions about how we build. MMC and offsite methods, tied together by BIM and a common data environment, are proven to be more effective in delivering sustainability, carbon reduction and quality outcomes.

Working in this way also offers a route for meaningful stakeholder and end user engagement in the design phase with a clear line of sight to the final asset that is handed over. This is what it means in practice to create a built environment that works better for people and communities.

Meanwhile, the Construction Skills Network forecasts that an additional quarter of a million construction workers are needed by 2026. This raises further questions about the ability to deliver projects based on traditional skills.

In spite of this we still see many procurement decisions that default to lowest cost, or which remain agnostic on the building methodology. These are significant bumps in the road that are slowing the pace of change.

Attention to Detail

Specifying offsite methods and MMC from the outset makes a huge difference. For one thing, the design process is much more meticulous. All potential clashes have to be eliminated. Components have to be designed to fine tolerances and be accurate when they leave the factory.

Designing the project explicitly for MMC from the outset calls for a different process. But it’s one that leads to a better and more certain outcome. Hopefully the TIP will ensure that other sectors follow the lead set by education and make the link between specifying MMC from the outset and delivering better project outcomes.

For more information about Osborne’s approach to delivering better project outcomes contact Richard King ([email protected]).