Independent review of construction frameworks launched

Professor David Mosey of King’s College London is to lead an independent review into Construction Frameworks as part of the Construction Playbook implementation.

The review will recognise the potential of frameworks as a powerful engine-room for implementing Construction Playbook policies that include strategic planning, integrated teams, continuous improvement and the delivery of better, safer, faster and greener project outcomes.

The Framework Review will lead to recommendations for:

• the components of a ‘gold standard’ against which new proposed frameworks and framework contracts can be measured
• standard contract terms that support the new gold standard
• training packages to enable adoption of the new gold standard

This will enable contracting authorities to easily identify those frameworks which meet best practices and embody the policies set out in the playbook.

The Construction Playbook was launched on 8 December 2020 containing 14 key policy reforms to enable ‘faster, better, greener’ construction by transforming how we assess, procure and deliver public works projects and programmes.

One of these key policy reforms is ‘Effective Contracting’, designed to ensure that contracts are structured to support an exchange of data, collaboration, improve value and manage risk with clear expectations for continuous improvement and consistent with the principles contained within the Construction Playbook.

The Construction Playbook contains a commitment to undertaking a review of current construction frameworks, this is integral to achieving the aims of effective contracting.

Commercial frameworks have been proven to provide a powerful tool for strategic planning, integrated teams, continuous improvement and the delivery of better, safer, faster and greener project outcomes. Across the public and private sectors, there are a wide variety of frameworks and a lack of clear guidance as to their preferred structure and ‘best practice’ features. As a result, the potential of frameworks is not always well expressed or well understood and they are not always successful in delivering their aims.

Recommendations for the adoption and use of the most suitable framework structures and features are necessary in order to provide clear drivers that will deliver the policies set out in the Construction Playbook.