IPS Management Consultants’ Post

The #CultureStandard is gaining traction. How do we know? Because .... ... in parallel to our research and piloting program, the Culture Standard has gained continuous momentum. In the last 12months, we have witnessed change. - Culture reflected in the recently released Federal Funding Agreement - Infrastructure Schedule by the Federal Government. “g. Optimising opportunities to enhance construction sector culture and participation, including flexibility, wellbeing and diversity.” Refer to pages 8 & 18-19: https://lnkd.in/gDKfJgaC    - Major Projects Canberra, Transport for NSW and Development Victoria have adopted the Culture Standard in major project tenders, acknowledging #TimeForLife, #Wellbeing and #Diversity&Inclusion, the three pillars of the Culture Standard.    - In addition to our founding States, NSW & Victoria, ACT and Queensland joined the Taskforce alongside South Australia and Western Australia.     - Health Infrastructure is a supporter of the Culture Standard.  Acting Chief Executive Health Infrastructure Emma Skulander said “The Culture Standard aligns with Health Infrastructure’s values and directly supports our delivery agenda. The five-day week has been implemented on 25 of our project contracts as one of a range of initiatives working together to improve the experience and appeal of working on our project sites. We consistently find that providing flexible working arrangements for construction workers improves their work-life balance – and importantly, makes negligible difference to the economic viability of our projects.”   Early adoptions of the Culture Standard in procurement processes recognise that change is already happening around the country!  With commitment and collaboration between public and private sector, the Culture Standard is emerging as a powerful tool for driving cultural transformation within the construction sector. Australian Constructors Association (ACA), Infrastructure NSW, Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority, Infrastructure Australia

This surprised me the most - Australia outpaces the US in litigious construction contracts. This mindset undermines genuine collaboration, as companies prioritise protecting profits over working together effectively. We all talk about how collaboration is key in achieving team and project success, here's some examples of how we can extend this to our contractual relationships.

This is not limited to Australia. There are a significant number of conversations around collaborative construction and approaches to contracting methodologies here in New Zealand. Do you have a high performing team framework for your projects to manage behaviours? How do you fairly apportion risk between the Principal and Contractor? How do we keep it simple in light of all of the complexity?

Contracts are important, but behaviours are more important. My measure of success is the contract being left in the bottom drawer.

Our powerhouse of Partners keeps growing! We’re pleased to announce Victoria Brambini MRICS has taken on the role of Chief Executive to lead the continued growth of Perfect Circle across the UK and take our hugely successful framework collaborations to new heights. “Over the last eight years we’ve been busy delivering a staggering 3,340 commissions working with 420+ clients and saved the public purse over £71m in procurement costs. We’re delighted that our continual development and excellence will be led by Victoria across all sectors reached by our £1.25bn frameworks and our powerhouse of Partners” said Duncan Green, Chairman at Perfect Circle and Managing Partner of founding shareholder Pick Everard. In April Perfect Circle was appointed as one of two providers for the new SCAPE Group Utilities Consultancy Services frameworks opening an even stronger collaboration of experts in industry. Perfect Circle has launched the frameworks to teams across the UK and we’re thrilled to be working with our new utilities sector Partners Tetra Tech, RSK Group, Gardiner & Theobald LLP, Tony Gee and Partners, RLB Rider Levett Bucknall and Stantec with recently acquired Hydrock, alongside our prime teams in Pick Everard, Gleeds and AECOM. Together we can deliver infrastructure projects and services for even more public and utilities sector clients. Victoria Brambini, chief executive of Perfect Circle, added. “I’m immensely proud of what we deliver for the public sector with our Partners to unlock infrastructure improvement, asset efficiency and sustainable solutions. The new frameworks will bring even bigger benefits for clients and communities, and I’m delighted to be leading the scaling up across regions and sectors with our Partners and suppliers enabling Perfect Circle to provide the resilience, capacities and expert capabilities much needed by our clients. “Extraordinary thanks goes to Nigel McCarthy, Development Director for the 14 cities Utilities frameworks launch tour, and Michaila Hancock for organising." If you are Partner and missed out get in touch and we’ll share the collaboration benefits. And if you are a public sector or utilities client and want to benefit from our industry-leading expertise, also get in touch, we'd love to hear from you. #oneperfectcircle #teamSCAPE #procurement #frameworks #utilities #publicsector

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are vital for developing and managing essential infrastructure projects. Effective collaboration and trust are crucial for their success. Here’s a guide on how to boost these elements in PPPs: 1. Set Clear Norms: Establish basic rules like being flexible, supporting each other, and sharing information. These rules help partners work together smoothly and adjust to changes. 2. Build Trust: Be open and transparent. Focus on benefits for both sides. Trust reduces conflicts and helps partners cooperate better. 3. Work Together: Use joint decision-making and problem-solving. Share knowledge. This ensures everyone’s interests are aligned and fosters a sense of shared responsibility. 4. Resolve Conflicts: Have clear methods to handle disputes, like mediation and negotiation. This keeps the partnership on track. 5. Monitor Progress: Regularly check how the partnership is doing and gather feedback. This helps identify areas that need improvement and keeps the project moving forward. 6. Stay Flexible: Be ready to make changes and renegotiate terms as needed. Flexibility ensures the partnership remains effective. 7. Create Governance Structures: Set up joint steering committees and cross-functional teams. These help facilitate collaboration and ensure smooth information flow. Adopting these practices will make PPPs more robust, reliable, and capable of meeting the challenges inherent in managing critical infrastructure projects. Check out these sources for more information! Contractual and Relational Governance as Positioned-Practices in Ongoing Public–Private Partnership Projects - https://lnkd.in/eYF2yAvW Synthesis of Relational Practices for PPP Contracts -https://lnkd.in/e7_y7GQS You’ve spent years mastering your career field…Now, join nearly 18,000 academics and professionals in expanding their world view on crisis management. Are you ready? Sign up and get insights, articles, and opportunities delivered directly to your inbox every week. https://lnkd.in/eqng5rpn #PublicPrivatePartnerships #Collaboration #Infrastructure #Trust #Governance #LearnwithCrisisLab

Community action can’t mean that volunteers carry out duties formerly carried out by paid workers, nor should they be used to disguise the effects of non-filled vacancies or cuts in public services funding. While the ethos behind the Wigan Deal—community empowerment and collaboration—is kind of commendable, it’s the resourcing that’s the issue, Scotland must approach this model with extreme caution. We should value and promote volunteering and community action, recognising their significant contributions to societal well-being. However, this should not come at the expense of substituting these efforts for professionally provided, publicly funded services. A balanced approach that integrates strong public services with active community participation is essential for building resilient, equitable, and sustainable communities in Scotland. I previously asked whether we had reached high tide of Wigan deals, to paraphrase the old George formby pier line but sadly it seems the tide still to come in! Derek Crichton Monica Patterson Sarah Gadsden Jane O'Donnell Louise Macdonald OBE FRSE Sarah Latto https://lnkd.in/eEGJzBMa

As the labor shortage continues to impact efficiency across the industry, it's crucial to find effective housing solutions for personnel changes. Bryan Carruthers, Accenture’s North America lead for infrastructure and capital projects, highlights how this shortage “exacerbates the lack of efficiency across the industry.” The urgency is further amplified by the influx of projects connected to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. These projects demand immediate and innovative solutions to address the industry's long-term personnel challenges. At Switchplace, we specialize in filling this gap with comprehensive housing solutions. From sourcing to setup and support, our team ensures seamless transitions for your workforce, allowing you to focus on what matters most—your projects! Bridging the Gap in Workforce Housing Solutions! Read more about the current challenges and the importance of finding efficient solutions in this insightful article: https://lnkd.in/ewgUDJzK . . . . . #ENRTopLists #Switchplace #CorporateHousing #WorkforceHousing #Infrastructure #ProjectManagement #HousingSolutions #Efficiency #LaborShortage #CapitalProjects #Relocation

Sue explains how proactive planning and systematic thinking are key to expanding your construction business. Excerpt From: https://lnkd.in/g4Z-mjWU Talent Value Stream (TVS) - The Basics: https://lnkd.in/gbA2hYgN Project Value Stream (PVS) - The Extended View: https://lnkd.in/gkXbqkjd Business of Building: https://lnkd.in/gSyZCsuZ This discussion highlights the crucial steps in strategizing for workforce expansion and entering new market sectors, illuminating the path to successful project execution and sustainable growth. D. Brown Management #ConstructionGrowth #StrategicPlanning #WorkforceExpansion #ConstructionManagement #BuildingSuccess #IndustryInsights #ConstructionLeaders #FutureOfConstruction #ProjectManagement

🚀 Agility is the key to thriving in dynamic markets like the Middle East. 🌍 In a recent interview with ME Consultants, Louise Collins and James Esau shared insights into how working as an SME allows Focal Middle East to be more agile and responsive to client needs. Our focus on curated services across engineering, cost management, and sustainability ensures that we stand out in a competitive landscape. Our team is committed to delivering bespoke solutions for key clients, adapting swiftly to the unique demands of each project. Attracting top talent who understand the importance of differentiated service is critical to our success, as is working with clients who seek something beyond the ordinary. Read more about how we’re shaping the future of construction in the region here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dYMh3hju #FocalMiddleEast #Engineering #CostManagement #Sustainability #SME #Agility #ConstructionInnovation #MiddleEast