Successful major projects in a changing industry

Major projects are fundamental to the well-being of humanity. However, they have a poor image, largely because many have suffered from serious cost overruns and delays. Notorious examples include the new British Library, the Thames Barrier and the Channel Tunnel. A new approach is needed, but the construction industry itself is on the brink of major structural change. This paper examines this change and its likely impact on the procurement of major projects and, through a number of case studies, identifies some of the ingredients that lead to success.