From “CHEAPNESS RULES” to VALUE TOOLS: Driving a shift towards value-based decision making in UK construction

RICS, RIBA, CIOB and Social Value UK have joined forces with the Construction Innovation Hub to develop a new industry-wide definition of value, laying the groundwork for a long-awaited transformation in the way decisions are made across the sector.

This new Value Definition is the first of four core elements of a comprehensive new ‘Value Toolkit’ which the Hub is developing in close collaboration with industry and is a key priority under the Construction Leadership Council’s ‘Roadmap to Recovery’.

Building directly on groundwork already laid by Ann Bentley and the Construction Leadership Council Procuring for Value Working Group, the Hub’s Value Toolkit will comprise a suite of four new tools to embed a transparent, consistent and customisable approach to improving the outcomes realised through construction projects and assets by supporting value-based decision-making throughout the investment lifecycle.

Each of the five partner organisations announced today will act as a ‘Relevant Authority’, bringing together groups of industry experts to build a consensus approach to the definition and measurement of value under the ‘Five Capitals model’. The resulting methodology will be used to drive consistent value-based decision making throughout all stages of the investment lifecycle – from business case, through procurement and delivery and into operation. Crucially, the approach will also support a data-driven approach to decision making, with consistent project and asset performance data being fed back to identify best practice and inform future decisions.

The development of the Value Definition will provide the foundation for the remaining elements of the Value Toolkit, which will be formally launched during Future of Building Week (13 – 17 July 2020). The complete Toolkit will help clients to:

• Establish a balanced value profile for each project or programme, shaped by both strategic policy ambitions (e.g. Net Zero, Modern Methods of Construction) and specific client, local and user needs, with a baseline Investment Value Index, based on established metrics and benchmarks, against which decisions and options can be assessed in the development and procurement phases;
• Select the best Delivery Model and Commercial Strategy to maximise realisation of value, based on value needs and considering the market context, risk and capability specific to the project;
• Use a new Procure for Value tool allowing procurement choices to be made on delivery of best whole-life value, not simply cheapest capital cost; and,
• Monitor and benchmark value throughout delivery and operational phases to ensure benefits are being delivered, to optimise value throughout operation and to inform future decision-making on similar projects and programmes.

Construction Innovation Hub Programme Director, Keith Waller said:

As we get Britain building again, we must resist the temptation to return to outdated practices rooted in cost minimisation and risk transfer and instead focus on new ways of doing things which are delivering better long-term outcomes.

At the heart of this is shifting away from a historic affinity with cheapness to one where delivering value in the widest sense drives decision-making. 

We are delighted to join forces with RICS, RIBA, CIOB and Social Value UK for this critical and very timely piece of work. By working in partnership and developing our Value Toolkit, we will ensure that UK construction can support the path to Net Zero, boost productivity and modern methods of construction, deliver safe, high quality buildings, improve social impact, support regeneration, levelling up and much more.”

Construction Leadership Council Member, Ann Bentley said:

The concept of procuring for value is on the cusp of becoming a credible delivery model.

Bringing together these five authorities to drive forward the development of the Value Toolkit is such an exciting step and I am delighted to be working with them and the Construction Innovation Hub.”

Further Information 

• To contact the Construction Innovation Hub’s press office, please email pressoffice@constructioninnovationhub.org.uk.
• The Value Toolkit will be launched at a FREE industry webinar on 16 July 2020.
• Relevant Authorities are chaired by key industry organisations who perform the role of custodians for each capital. The relevant authorities have responsibility for selecting and refining the metrics, measures and scoring profiles for each value category, working directly with input from clients/asset classes. The Hub’s dedicated team will embed the outputs of the Relevant Authorities into the methodology and tool. In the longer term, the Relevant Authorities will also be responsible for benchmarking and analysis of submitted data.