CEW has published a review of the 2010 No Turning Back report – the message is, good progress but work harder more to achieve top marks.
No Turning Back was a ground breaking report and discussion about the short comings of the public sector construction process in Wales. Greeted with enthusiasm by industry and clients alike, backed by Welsh Government and given direction by the Construction Procurement Strategy Steering Group. It gave clear recommendations for how Welsh public sector construction needed to change.
That was five years ago. But has our industry moved on? How has construction in the public sector fared against the recommendations set out in October 2010?
There is no doubt the No Turning Back report created momentum, and its recommendations established a strong platform for improvement. But the only way to find out for sure is to ask the industry directly. That is why CEW commissioned NTB Review the follow-up report. The findings are not as positive as anyone would like – and we are now embarking on a series of events to showcase the results and discuss the report, the new recommendations and the way forward.
Last Friday at our first event the feedback for the debate CEW is driving was overwhelmingly supportive. Delegates appreciated that NTB Review identifies significant achievements but also reports on the gaps between current and best practice as recommended in No Turning Back. Advances have been made in the visibility of the public sector construction pipeline; in communication and collaboration and particularly in the contribution of public investment works to sustainable community benefit, employment and training.
Progress has not been so good in overall procurement capability and expertise; moving from lowest price to value in tender evaluation; and in reforming payment processes. In the light of these findings, NTB Review takes five new recommendations with a view to getting the process back on track:
- Public sector clients must improve the visibility of information in construction programmes and make clear when projects will be coming to market. Stronger communication between clients and suppliers is essential to enable better resource planning.
- Clients must use standard processes in a consistent fashion. Funding should be withheld from projects not based on value outcomes. Cross-industry working groups should determine procurement processes most likely to deliver greatest value. The Client Commitment Charter should be reviewed, updated and mandated across the whole sector.
- Key performance indicators to achieve value should be recorded and reported for every public sector project.
- The competency and capability of public authorities to procure construction activity should be assessed and improved.
- Government and major public clients must lead the way in adopting simple processes, open communication and fair payment practices.
To view the report click below:
