Construction industry best practice programme

Citation

(1998), "Construction industry best practice programme", Facilities, Vol. 16 No. 7/8. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.1998.06916gab.005

Construction industry best practice programme

Construction industry best practice programme

Keywords Best practice, Construction industry

Following the announcement by the Minister for Construction, Nick Raynsford, of the intention of the British Government and the Construction Industry Board (CIB) to establish a best practice programme for the construction industry, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has recently let a contract to establish the basis for such a programme.

Scope and objectives

A joint working group of the Construction Sponsorship Directorate of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and the CIB, has drawn up a framework for the programme following widespread discussion with key stakeholders in the construction industry and the research community. The programme will improve the performance of the construction industry by enabling and encouraging wide take-up of management best practice, which may include adopting new processes, structure and internal culture. The programme will raise awareness of the benefits of management best practice and will provide guidance and advice to organisations to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills required to implement change. Transformation of outmoded management practices and business cultures is the main focus, but key areas of technology will also be addressed. Key objectives are thus to:

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  create a desire for improvement by publicising the activities of successful organisations and the benefits of improved practice;

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  provide an initial point of contact for organisations wishing to improve;

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  identify, publicise and support the use of improved business practices;

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  provide communications links between organisations wishing to improve and those with the knowledge of how to improve;

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  provide tools, techniques, advice and knowledge to those wishing to improve.

Programme services

The programme will provide a range of services designed both to motivate the industry and to develop the necessary skills for improvement. These are likely to include:

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  signposting to advice providers and sources of guidance;

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  best practice company visits and networks;

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  advisory services;

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  case studies and exemplars;

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  benchmarking service;

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  technical best practice advice and guidance.

Steering

The programme will be steered by two government and industry panels who will also monitor its impact and success, and recommend changes in the services when necessary.