Major project definition
According to GRIP Manual, Introduction to the Project Management manual, published by Network Rail in 2006, the term ‘major project’ refers to:
‘A bespoke project, programme or portfolio characterised by its complexity, level of investment and stakeholder involvement. Such a project is likely to have its own project control office established and have a dedicated project team under the direct control of a nominated person.'
The Major Projects Authority defined major projects (in the public sector) as projects that meet any of the following criteria:
- It requires HM Treasury approval.
- It could lead to a breach in departmental expenditure limits.
- It involves significant levels of unplanned spending.
- It could set an expensive precedent.
The CIOB Planning Protocol 2021 (CIOB PP21), a technical information sheet published by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in February 2021, defines a major project as: ‘A project where the construction works are estimated to cost at least £10 million pounds sterling.’
In July 2021, the IPA published an updated routemap for novel or complex major projects. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-infrastructure-delivery-project-initiation-routemap
NB Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener, published in October 2021 by HM Government, suggests: 'Major projects are defined as those which: require spending over and above departmental expenditure limits; require primary legislation; and are innovative or contentious.'
See also: Standard project.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Departmental Expenditure Limits DELs.
- Efficiency and Reform Group.
- Government Construction Strategy.
- Infrastructure and Projects Authority.
- Infrastructure UK.
- Major development.
- Major project construction contract.
- Major projects authority
- Nationally significant infrastructure projects.
- Standard project.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
New and updated CLC building safety guidance.
New UK National Buildings Database.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief explanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
















