ABSTRACT

Mega-projects descending into chaos and litigation embarrass governments all over the world, as the public sector presides over fiascos that waste billions and destroy reputations. Inquiry after Inquiry finds the damaging and costly failures of major government projects can be traced back to the contract establishment process. Procuring Successful Mega-Projects, is a mentor’s guide for project directors, providing frank, fearless, practical advice on how to set up a major government contract that won’t end up in court. It’s all there:

  • How to develop and negotiate a contract that doesn’t contain undeliverable obligations or perverse incentives but does contain the necessary provisions for successful project management. 
  • How to navigate the pitfalls of the public sector environment, from hiring freezes and governance frameworks to the complexities of managing the relationship with the Minister.
  • How to select and manage the lawyers and other advisers, build the adviser-client relationship and recognise that unwelcome advice may not be unhelpful.
  • How to structure and follow a bullet-proof procurement process that is fair to bidders and delivers great outcomes.

Procuring Successful Mega-Projects is essential reading, not just for the project director, but for everyone with a stake in the success of a mega-project: public sector executives; Ministers; private sector tenderers; infrastructure lenders; legal, financial and technical professional service providers; and procurement and project management professionals.

part I|17 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|6 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|10 pages

Ending Up In Court

part II|67 pages

The Contract

chapter 3|14 pages

The Project

chapter 4|16 pages

The Specification

chapter 5|14 pages

Risk Management

chapter 6|10 pages

Performance Incentives

chapter 7|12 pages

Boilerplate Clauses

part III|79 pages

The People

chapter 8|14 pages

The Minister

chapter 9|14 pages

The Agency

chapter 10|16 pages

The Lawyers

chapter 11|16 pages

Other Advisers

chapter 12|18 pages

Governance

part IV|89 pages

The Procurement Process

chapter 13|18 pages

Establishing a Fair Process

chapter 14|18 pages

Putting Out the Call

chapter 15|20 pages

Evaluating the Tenders

chapter 16|16 pages

Negotiating the Contract

chapter 17|16 pages

Bullet-Proofing the Selection Decision

part V|17 pages

Finishing in Style

chapter 18|12 pages

Handover to Contract Management

chapter 19|4 pages

A Final Word