Independent review of Construction Frameworks launched

The UK Government has commissioned an independent review of public sector frameworks as part of the Construction Playbook implementation.

The objective and independent review is to be led by Professor David Mosey of King’s College London.

The potential of frameworks has been recognised as a powerful engine-room for implementing policies that include strategic planning, integrated teams, continuous improvement and the delivery of better, safer, faster and greener project outcomes.

The review is expected to lead to recommendations for:

• Components of a ‘gold standard’ against which new proposed frameworks and framework contracts can be measured.
• Standard contract terms that support the new gold standard.
• Training packages to enable adoption of the new gold standard.

Contracting authorities will then be able to identify the frameworks which meet best practices and represent the policies set out in the playbook.

A key policy reform is ‘effective contracting’, which is designed to ensure that contracts are structured in such a way that supports the exchange of data, collaboration, improve value and manage risk with clear expectations for continuous improvement, as well as being consistent with the principles in the playbook.

Throughout the public and private sectors, there are a range of frameworks and a lack of clear guidance as to their preferred structure and best practice. Because of this, the potential of frameworks is not expressed very well and is often misunderstood meaning that delivering upon their aims is not always successful.