About the Book
Whether a construction project turns out to be successful or not has a lot to do with the clarity of the client’s objectives and how the client establishes and instils a culture throughout the project team. This book's focus is on defining and exploring those attributes of clients or organisations which enable clear communication, and as a result help ensure the project's success.
For senior construction professionals, this book explains how to approach key aspects of projects so that the client's expectations can be anticipated and understood. It also provides information on how other parties can positively influence the outcome of the project and interact with their fellow stakeholders.
Commentaries on real life projects illustrate how this is achieved in practice, and common pitfalls are pointed out to help you avoid them. Drawing on almost 40 years’ UK and international experience of working on major construction projects in a variety of roles, the author provides clear insight into how to efficiently progress a project from inception through to completion. This is hugely valuable reading for client senior decision-makers, project managers, programme managers, design and construction leaders, and those studying all of these subjects.
Table of Contents:
1. Preface 2. The Challenge of Leadership 3. The Client 4. Project Timeline 5. Representative Case Studies 6. Project Definition 7. Governance of the Project Team 8. The right Procurement Strategy 9. Forming the Project Team 10. Managing Uncertainty 11. Performance Management 12. Client Involvement 13. Construction Expertise 14. Communications Policy 15. External Interfaces and Social Responsibilities 16. Operation, Maintenance & Legacy 17. Conclusions
About the Author :
Ian Gardner is a Director of Ove Arup & Partners Ltd, a member of the firm’s UKMEA Region Board, and has chaired their Future Business Executive. Over his 38 years with the company, he has worked in a variety of leading roles on projects such as High Speed 1, the London 2012 Olympic Park, and the regeneration of Potsdamer Platz, Berlin and central Doha, Qatar.
Review :
Ian Gardner and I worked together on the influential Glaxo Group Research project at Stevenage, which in its time helped to establish a new benchmark for major construction projects in the UK. The author is a highly regarded senior professional engineer and leader for one of the world’s top firms. His book is insightful in helping to articulate best practice to achieve successful projects. It picks up on the themes of people and how to get them working together, the effective use of processes and management of risk.
Andrew Wolstenholme, CEO, Crossrail
An authoritative perspective from an author with extensive experience and professional expertise in project administration and construction supervision. From project concept, through inception, procurement to completion and hand over, this book packs a wealth of information into its pages. A must read for all engaged in project management, not least the client, architect, site manager and specialist consultants.
Roger Greeno, author of Building Construction Handbook
When many of us are asked what makes a construction project successful, we often say it must be interesting and challenging, the parties must be enthusiastic, competent and realistic, but in many cases these thoughts are subjective, often laced with an element of nostalgia for a favourite past project. The author, who is an experienced practitioner, has objectively encapsulated the ingredients which make a project successful, including project definition, the role of the client and other parties, the formation, and interaction of teams, all referenced to real projects, and all written in a very readable style. A thoroughly enjoyable and insightful read!
Kelvin Hughes, author of Understanding NEC3: Engineering and Construction Short Contract
Ian Gardner speaks in this important book from a position of consummate experience, knowledge and wisdom. The construction industry needs such an impressive ambassador and he makes the compelling case for a better understanding of its challenges; increased efficiency, predictable outcomes and outstanding safety – all possible following Ian Gardner’s impressive work. Society needs better infrastructure, of which construction is a major part, and everywhere there are calls for increased investment. Clients, funders and deliverers of construction should all read it.
Terry Hill, Trustee, Arup Group Trusts
A refreshingly easy-to-read and insightful treatment of major project delivery, with a focus on influence the organisational and people aspects of the equation, especially on the client side, have on successful delivery.
The book will be useful for current and aspiring ‘competent clients’, and the case studies in particular show clear lessons and differentiate between the good, and the others.
Ian Galloway, Director, Capital Delivery, National Grid
This book examines how a project manager can help a client to define what they actually want to achieve. In addition the author suggests that levels of client involvement, risk and other issues should be agreed at a very early stage.
Clear, well-written and insightful, this book will be warmly welcomed.
Geoff Reiss, Honorary Fellow of the Association for Project Management
The author’s contribution to the subject of construction project management in this publication is practical and project delivery focused without over reliance on academic theories and so would be well worth a read for any Chartered Building Engineer acting as project manager. Extract from a book review by Mark Kane Esq. B.Sc. (Hons), LL.B. (Hons) LL.M. FCIOB FCIArb C.BuildE FCABE Attorney, Arbitrator, Chartered Builder & Chartered Building Engineer, in Building Engineer: The Journal of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers
