Memorandum submitted by Bentley Systems
BENTLEY BACKGROUND
Bentley Systems are world-wide providers of
IT technology for the planning, design and construction of capital
infrastructure and its subsequent operation and management. Our
clients include many of the World's major owner-operators of transportation,
building and plant infrastructure.
Our personnel work closely with many of these
organisations to deploy techniques and technology to improve the
efficiency of their activities and have gained a great deal of
experience and expertise that we believe would be valuable to
the investigation.
PROCESS CHANGE
Our experience has shown that the risk of cost
and time over-run so often experienced in the industry can be
mitigated through enhancements to process and the deployment of
technology commonplace in other industries such as manufacturing
and aerospace.
In simple terms, this involves a holistic approach
to any project involving all stakeholders and enabling efficient
collaboration and communication through the management of project
and asset data throughout the infrastructure lifecycle.
For many years, we have been working with private
companies and national organisations who have introduced this
approach with success, helping with the re-definition of the construction
business process and supplying the technology that assists and
supports such an aim.
We are very happy to share with you this international
experience for the benefit of the UK industry.
BENTLEY'S
UK INITIATIVES
For some time we have been working at the core
of the UK construction industry, attempting to promote such a
change. These activities include:
— We maintain close contacts with AVANTI
(data and standards).
— We are active members of COMIT (mobile
communications within construction).
— We have contributed to the re-writing
of BS 1192 (construction standards).
— We have led the formation of a rail
standards group (comprising Network Rail, Cross Rail, London Underground,
Uniclass).
— We are currently consulting with
ODA and LOCOG for applying a revised business workflow to Olympic
2012 projects.
— Our staff have been collaborating
with the Institute of Civil Engineers on a white paper regarding
efficiency (draft paper is enclosed).
— We will be giving a paper on how
efficiencies of PPP road projects can be delivered. (Mitigating
Construction Risk Within PPP Road Projects—London 21 May
2007).
This activity has given us a uniquely independent
perspective on the issue that, we believe is of significant value.
In essence we believe the construction business
process needs to change from acting and thinking as a series of
discrete processes—to a model that thinks and acts in the
best interest of the overall deliverable—which for example
could be the provision of a transport link from A to B for 25
years.
When working with individual organisations (both
public and private) we find that these concepts are readily accepted
but are practiced in isolation; overall industry progress remains
slow and compromised.
To move a national industry sector along this
path, Government must take a greater lead in promotion of whole-life
contract types and standards that support this we therefore strongly
welcome a Government led coordinated approach that would enable
all key parties who can make change happen to work together.
An indication of our views is given in the enclosed
document "Return on Interoperability: the new ROI" (not
printed). This was written by Bentley's COO Malcolm Walter.
In addition I have enclosed the content of a
presentation about to be made at a conference which will be promoting
efficiency within PPP Road projects. This presentation puts the
case for a revision to the core contractual and working practices
found in the construction industry today and discusses what is
required to engender change (not printed).
Finally, I have already mentioned our close
involvement with the Institute of Civil Engineers, I have enclosed
a draft white paper that was co-authored by our personnel that
is intended to stimulate discussion of the issues I raise above
(not printed). The co-author of this is Phil Jackson of Bentley
who together with Malcolm, would be able to provide you with deep
industry experience from around the world. I have copied all supporting
documents onto the enclosed CD.
May 2007
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