Driving innovation and sustainability in infrastructure delivery through data-driven programme management
D2, a leader in programme management solutions supporting delivery of major infrastructure projects across the UK and in Canada, and Sterling DCS, a pioneer in construction cost and carbon estimating, take-off, and lifecycle management, have announced a strategic partnership to transform the way infrastructure projects are planned, executed, and managed. This collaboration is set to drive innovation, improve cost efficiency, and embed sustainability at the core of project delivery.
A partnership focused on intelligent programme management and sustainability
Infrastructure projects are becoming increasingly complex, with rising demands for sustainable solutions, transparent cost management, and accurate forecasting. D2 and Sterling DCS share a common vision: to provide intelligent, data-driven solutions that help clients optimise cost, reduce carbon footprints, and streamline project workflows.
“Integrating programme management excellence with cutting-edge cost and carbon technology is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” said Peter Rogers, global infrastructure director at D2. “Our clients need to navigate increasingly stringent regulations, rising material costs, and ambitious sustainability targets. By working with Sterling DCS, we can provide data-led insights that allow projects to be delivered smarter, faster, and more sustainably.”
Sterling DCS is known for its pioneering approach to digital cost and carbon estimating, offering a comprehensive suite of tools that support accurate forecasting, package management, and lifecycle assessment. Through this partnership, D2 will embed Sterling’s capabilities into its programme management frameworks, ensuring clients can manage both cost and carbon more effectively than ever before.
Why this partnership matter
The UK’s construction and infrastructure sectors are under increasing pressure to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and enhance cost predictability. This partnership addresses these challenges head-on by offering:
- A seamless integration of cost and carbon data into programme management, allowing for real-time insights and better decision-making.
- More accurate forecasting and financial oversight, ensuring that infrastructure projects remain on time and within budget.
- Sustainability-first solutions, where carbon estimating and reduction strategies are built into project planning from day one.
- Bespoke approaches to project management, tailoring solutions to each client’s unique challenges and objectives.
Steve Brunning, CEO of Sterling DCS, emphasised the importance of this collaboration in the context of modern construction challenges: “Too often, project management and estimating operate in silos, leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. By partnering with D2, we are bridging the gap between programme management and financial control. Our combined expertise ensures that every decision is based on reliable, data-backed insights that help clients meet their sustainability goals while maintaining financial discipline.”
Bringing data-driven sustainability to the forefront
Both companies recognise the importance of moving beyond traditional cost estimating to consider the full lifecycle impact of projects. With D2’s programme management expertise and Sterling’s carbon estimating capabilities, clients will be able to quantify and mitigate environmental impact throughout the entire project lifecycle.
“Decisions that can reduce the carbon impact of construction must be an integral component of project planning from the outset,” said Peter Rogers. “With Sterling’s technology, we can now track the carbon impact of materials, labour, and equipment, ensuring that sustainability decisions are informed and actionable rather than reactive.”
Sterling’s carbon estimation tools, including integrations with Building Transparency’s EC3 tool and 2050 Materials, enable users to search for carbon data in real-time and assign accurate A1–A3 embodied carbon values to resources. The partnership ensures that this critical carbon data is available within D2’s programme management frameworks, providing clients with access to an unprecedented level of control over their environmental impact.
D2’s programme management expertise in transport and infrastructure
Founded in 2011, D2 is an independent professional services provider with a strong reputation for delivery. The company has developed a comprehensive suite of programme management capabilities based on lessons learned from major capital programmes in the UK and Canada. Their primary focus is on Transport and Infrastructure construction projects, ensuring that critical national projects are delivered efficiently and sustainably.
“Our goal is to utilise our experience and capability to help accelerate and de-risk the delivery of critical infrastructure programmes in the transport, energy, water, and defence sectors,” said Peter Rogers. “By partnering with Sterling DCS, we are further enhancing our ability to integrate cost and carbon insights into our programme management solutions.”
Enhancing digital transformation in infrastructure programme management
Beyond sustainability, this partnership also represents a significant step forward in the digital transformation of infrastructure programme management. Both D2 and Sterling DCS are committed to leveraging the latest technology to improve efficiency, transparency, and collaboration in the industry.
Key digital advancements include:
- Automated cost and carbon reporting, reducing administrative burdens and allowing project teams to focus on critical decision-making.
- Advanced data analytics, helping clients identify cost trends, risk factors, and potential savings opportunities before issues arise.
- Cloud-based collaboration tools, ensuring that project stakeholders have access to the latest, most accurate data at all times.
- AI-driven insights, which enhance forecasting accuracy and enable predictive modelling for cost and carbon performance.
The value this partnership brings to the industry
D2 recognises that Sterling DCS bridges the gap between capital cost planning and sustainable decision-making. The combination of Sterling’s functionality with D2’s programme management expertise enables clients to test the environmental impact of decisions made throughout the design and construction schedule.
“For us, it’s not about pushing technology for the sake of it—it’s about delivering real value to our clients,” said Peter Rogers. “We take the time to understand the unique constraints, risks, and opportunities of each project, ensuring that the solutions we deploy are targeted, effective, and results-driven.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Cost, Carbon, and Programme Management
The construction and infrastructure sectors are evolving rapidly, with digitalisation, sustainability, and efficiency becoming more critical than ever. This partnership marks an important milestone in addressing these challenges, setting a new industry standard for data-driven, sustainability-focused programme management.
“Together, D2 and Sterling DCS are not just solving today’s challenges—we are shaping the future of infrastructure delivery,” said Steve Brunning. “By embedding intelligent cost and carbon estimating within programme management frameworks, we are empowering our clients to build projects that are smarter, more efficient, and truly sustainable.”
