Insights
03.03.22
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2 min read
How a collaborative and committed quality culture transforms project performance
First published as an interview in the CQI’s Quality World magazine, Martin Davies, project quality director at Costain describes how its Quality Culture Programme is making a difference to large complex infrastructure projects.
Airport fit for Air Force One
Just eight weeks before global heads of state were expected in the UK for the G7 summit, Costain’s combined consultancy and complex programme delivery expertise was called upon to ensure the smooth arrival of Air Force One and VVIP passenger US President Joe Biden at Cornwall’s Newquay Airport on 11th June 2021.
06.07.21
|2 min read
Delivering complex infrastructure programmes – the A19 story
The UK’s Road network is the backbone of the country’s transport infrastructure. It provides real and direct economic benefits: to business, to workers, to users. Better connections support individual towns and cities and the surrounding communities. Keeping traffic moving through faster, safer, greener, and more efficient project delivery is encapsulated in the A19 Testos junction improvement scheme.
13.04.21
|2 min read
How cultural and digital initiatives enhanced integrated working and delivery of the A14
The first phase of the Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme was completed a year ahead of schedule, and the second eight months early with £196m in efficiencies realised against the client target of £108m. One of the questions Mark Berg is often asked is ‘how?' Read more to learn how the A14 Integrated Delivery Team exceeded expectations.
08.04.21
|2 min read
How better data gathering can help enhance social value and build trust (part two)
This is the second in a series of articles that explores the potential of technology to help us maximise the impact of our social value initiatives through better gathering and management of data. In this article, we look at how digital technology is improving the conversations we are having with communities and the data that demonstrates we are improving people’s lives.
06.04.21
|2 min read
Better social value data management for building back better
This is the first in a series of articles that explores the potential of technology to help us maximise the impact of our social value initiatives through better gathering and management of data. In this first article, we look at how standardising, sharing and managing social value data is being improved through digital technology.
01.02.21
|3 min read
Delivering excellence in major rail projects
With an ever-increasing pressure to deliver major rail projects that not only meet but exceed expectations, we have a golden opportunity to improve the way projects are delivered in the UK. In this article, members of an expert panel convened by the Railway Industry Association, discuss how excellence in delivery requires getting the very best out of the supply chain and ensuring an agile and focused approach. Ultimately, we always need to put the customers who pay for rail infrastructure at the heart of our thinking.
08.01.21
|2 min read
Stabilising and reducing the volume of nuclear waste through plasma vitrification
Our civil nuclear director, Leigh Wakefield, discusses how thermal treatment of nuclear waste offers a range of advantages over more traditional compaction, grouting and/or direct disposal by reducing volume and stabilisation of waste materials.
APM podcast: how to be a great project leader
This APM panel podcast focuses on the evolving role of a project leader with Gordon MacKay from Sellafield, Mike Bourne from Cranfield University and Costain’s Claire Fryer. Listen to their expert opinions of what makes a ‘good’ project leader and how the most important part of any system, links back to the individuals in your team.
Engineering Matters Podcast #81 Zen and the art of programme management
Our experts, Sue Kershaw, Claire Fryer and Pete Mill have teamed up with Gordon Masterton from the University of Edinburgh and Engineering Matters to discuss how project reviews are the cornerstone of any major project for the regular and formal review of performance reporting and decision-making. They have the potential to improve project performance and potentially the performance of our industry.