Skanska

Project Coaching

Construction Relationships

A £150 million contract to create new Ministry of Defence intelligence facilities at RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire is benefiting from support by Acorn Coaching and Development to enable the partners to work more effectively together.

The project is known as PRIDE (Wyton) (Programme to Rationalise and Integrate the DIS Estate) and the new secure facility will house a range of MoD intelligence gathering resources. The main building is due to open in 2011 with the whole project scheduled for completion in 2013.

Skanska UK plc, under the supervision of Defence Estates, is the prime contractor responsible for the construction of the a new complex of buildings to house Defence Intelligence employees as well as associated supporting buildings, recreational facilities and external areas. In addition, Skanska is responsible for the architectural, structural and civil design and the mechanical and electrical management and installation for the new buildings.

Skanska has enlisted the support of Acorn - a long time collaborator with the construction group – to help facilitate more effective partnering by Skanska, Defence Estates and the MoD.

Keith Longney, an Acorn director, explains:

"The project involves different divisions of Skanska for the construction and mechanical and electrical installations and they must work seamlessly together to ensure it is delivered on time and to budget.

"Moreover, on complex projects of this size it is vital that effective relationships are fostered with the client - in this case Defence Estates – and this can be assured only if it is identified and supported as a specific aim within the project."

Acorn has conducted interviews with all of the primary stakeholders to define their expectations from the project and determine the key performance indicators which will help determine success. Keith has also worked with Skanska's project delivery team across commercial, operations and design functions to analyse roles and responsibilities at executive level, has continued that process through the organisational structure supporting the project, and extended it to embrace supply chain partners.

Keith says:

"Skanska recognises from its previous experience on MoD programmes that allocating resources to ensure true collaborative working among all the stakeholders is a valuable element in delivering the project. Appropriate behaviours and a genuine understanding and appreciation of the demands and drivers on all sides of the project can make a huge contribution to its ultimate success."