Over 200 industry partners participated in the development of the Construction Innovation Hub’s (CIH) Value Toolkit, a suite of tools to embed value-based decision-making in the built environment sector
The government-funded industry-led initiative – Value Toolkit – reframes the definition of value and how it can be evaluated and measured. Factors considered include whole-life considerations around net-zero, user experience, productivity and social impact.
A new BSI flex standard to underpin value-based decisions making in the sector has also been launched.
Set to achieve the ambitions of the Construction Playbook and the IPA’s Transforming Infrastructure Performance Roadmap, the Value Toolkit empowers clients and policymakers to work with their supply chains to make better-informed decisions. The ambition is now for widespread adoption, driven by government and underpinned by industry.
How does the Value Toolkit work?
The Value Toolkit considers five phases of an investment cycle, applicable to both construction of new assets, as well as repair and maintenance of existing ones. These phases are:
- Need
- Concept Design Optioneering
- Detailed Design
- Delivery
- Operation
For each phase, the Value Toolkit provides activities aimed at helping the client to make more informed, value-based decisions. Key elements include:
- identify and prioritise strategic objectives mapped to the Value Definition Framework, providing a definition of what value means to the client
- development of outcome drivers (SMART statements) that translate the strategic objectives into initiatives or priorities that can be embedded within the scope of the project or programme and will help to achieve the strategic objectives
- Value scorecards that enable metrics and performance ranges to be set for each outcome drivers to enable value to be objectively measured and different options evaluated.
Value Toolkit is key to unlocking potential and delivering value
Keith Waller, programme director at the Construction Innovation Hub, said:
“The Toolkit delivers a laser-like focus on project outcomes that delivers value beyond the bottom line, and positively affect communities and those who live in them for decades to come. It will ensure a more collaborative relationship between clients and suppliers throughout the whole life of a project”.
Andy Mitchell, co-chair of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) commented:
“For far too long now we have talked cost with little or no reference to value; we have talked outputs not outcomes. The Value Toolkit seeks to see an end to this by providing a comprehensive suite of tools that will help clients and suppliers alike develop a real understanding of what is actually important as we specify, design and deliver infrastructure for people and society. “
Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) CEO Stephen Marcos Jones said:
“The completion of the Value Toolkit is key to unlocking our industry’s huge potential and delivering the social, environmental and economic outcomes championed by government through the Net Zero and Levelling Up agendas. It will ensure we look beyond simplistic measures to deliver the healthy, green and productive built environment we all want to see.”
