Last edited 31 Mar 2021

The Construction Playbook

1 Introduction
2 Plans for public works
3 Additional guidance
4 Initial reactions
5 Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
6 External resources

[edit] Introduction

The Construction Playbook, published on 8 December 2020, sets out plans for how the Government will work with the construction sector to ensure public sector works are delivered faster, better and greener.

The document outlines how the Government will strengthen the financial assessment of all the suppliers it works with to make sure projects are delivered on time and to budget. It also looks to improve productivity and innovation in the sector.

The Construction Playbook is based on discussions between the Government and the construction sector. As a result of this collaborative process, measures in the Playbook have been backed by construction firms and business associations from across the industry.

[edit] Plans for public works

In 2018, construction contributed some £117 billion to the UK economy, as well as supporting over two million jobs. The Construction Playbook indicates what the Government expects from these public projects - ranging from new roads and railway lines to schools, hospitals and prisons.

The Playbook also outlines the key role the construction sector will play in both the UK’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the country's efforts to bring greenhouse gas emissions down to net zero by 2050. Green initiatives in the Playbook include promoting the use of carbon assessments to understand and minimise the greenhouse emissions of projects.

[edit] Additional guidance

Other specific measures include:

Providing greater certainty to industry through long-term plans for key programmes. This will include longer term contracting across a range of areas which will give industry the certainty required to invest in new technologies, delivering improved productivity and efficiency savings.
Encouraging industry to innovate by focusing on the output of project achievements, rather than by micromanaging how it is accomplished.
Modernising construction by standardising designs and parts, as well as embedding digital technologies including the UK Building Information Management Framework.
Placing greater focus on developing positive relationships with robust contract management between project leads and industry.
Investing more in training and apprenticeships, driving forward innovation in construction, boosting productivity and focussing on value for money in public sector developments.

Learning lessons from the Grenfell Tower fire, the Construction Playbook also makes it clear that the construction sector must put safety at the heart of everything it does.

[edit] Initial reactions

Cabinet Office Minister Lord Agnew, said:

'As the largest construction sector customer, the Government is in an ideal position to ensure that the industry is productive, professional and delivers value for money for taxpayers. By adopting the new Construction Playbook, developed with industry partners, we will help ensure that the sector becomes greener and more innovative.'

Andy Mitchell, the CEO of Tideway and Co-Chair of Construction Leadership Council:

'The Government can influence the whole direction that our sector takes with the way it buys new public buildings and infrastructure.

'The Construction Leadership Council is delighted that the Government is showing real leadership in this regard. The Construction Playbook commits us all to drive positive change with better, long-term relationships and more efficient ways of working. The CLC will give its support to engage the industry to play its part in embedding the Playbook recommendations across our sector.'