Innovation at the cutting edge: The experience of three major infrastructure projects (C548)

Sir John Egan’s 1998 report, Rethinking construction, set challenging targets for the construction industry. This publication examines three recent, major infrastructure projects in order to demonstrate how innovation contributes to achieving those targets. The three areas of innovation considered are supply chain management and partnering; risk and value management; and technical innovation. The projects studied were the A34 Newbury Bypass, the Heathrow Express cofferdam and the London Underground Earth Structures Project. The report concludes that the evidence that innovation contributes decisively to the Egan targets is overwhelming. It can help deliver better products more quickly, more safely and for less money. Innovation at the cutting edge will be of value to senior managers, project managers, clients, contractors, consultants, researchers and policy makers. Key words: procurement, organisational innovation, supply chain management.

ISBN: 978-0-86017-548-3

Author: G Thomas and R Bone

Number of pages: 76 (paperback)

Publisher: CIRIA

Date of Publication: November 2000