Project 13’s campaign to transform infrastructure delivery approaches tipping point

The Project 13 Network, the global community promoting an industry-wide shift to an enterprise model of infrastructure delivery, has grown to more than 5,000 members.

In an enterprise approach, owners, partners, advisers and suppliers work in more integrated and collaborative arrangements, which are underpinned by long-term relationships.

This type of model, promoted by Project 13, encourages partners in the enterprise to work together as a family of delivery models, rather than a series of individual projects.

What is the Project 13 Network

The Project 13 Network is a web-based platform established in 2021 for those who have adopted this approach, and others eager to find out more.

Users of the Project 13 Network can access live events (and past recordings), case studies, reports, and industry research.

They can also use the active user forums to connect, discuss their experiences and share their learning.

Here is just a small sample of the resources available to members of this dynamic learning community:

• Data and Digital Benchmarking Report launch event
• Introduction to Project 13 training
• Project 13 Infrastructure Governance Code
• Panel discussion on building trust

Why is Project 13 so important?

The case for Project 13 was first set out in the 2017 ICE report From Transactions to Enterprises.

The report argued that the widespread transactional model used to deliver and operate much of our infrastructure was broken.

In this model, technical skills are generally outsourced. Consultants are often used to design projects that, in turn, are then delivered by contractors chosen by competitive tender.

Because of this model, best practice isn’t often shared in industry.

This can create barriers to efficient delivery and innovation, and fail to provide the high-performing infrastructure that communities and businesses are crying out for.

It’s also costly, as the prices tendered by companies include allowances for their management costs, overheads, plus the costs of doing business with each other.

Instead, the enterprise approach advocated by Project 13 brings stakeholders together, establishing long-term working relationships that encourage the sharing of knowledge, best practice, and experience.

Companies can innovate with design, materials and methods, therefore reducing time, cost and waste.

These performance and productivity improvements can then be carried over from project to project.

Under this model, every party has an incentive to deliver a better outcome for all stakeholders.