Guides

Client Guide for improving infrastructure project outcomes

The Client Guide is a research-backed resource for those involved in infrastructure projects. The Guide looks at all aspects of infrastructure development, from the role of client and procurement strategy, to delivery management, project governance and value for money.

The Guide, authored by Dr Ron Watermeyer, visiting adjunct professor at Wits, and co-sponsored by Engineers Against Poverty (EAP), draws upon the learnings from the delivery of two new universities - the University of Mpumalanga (Nelspruit) and the Sol Plaatje University (Kimberley) - the first phase of which was managed and overseen by Wits. 

This project, which is a Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP 14: Higher Education Infrastructure) in terms of the Infrastructure Development Act of 2014, piloted the implementation of the National Treasury Standard for Infrastructure Procurement and delivery Management on a major government project, demonstrating what is possible within the public sector.

These projects demonstrated that a wide range of infrastructure projects can be delivered with a close tolerance between intended and achieved outcomes should a strategic approach to procurement be adopted and rigorous project governance and effective delivery management practices be embraced. This has been achieved through strong client leadership, a client team with the right chemistry and skills, a culture of collaboration, a shift away from traditional procurement and delivery management practices, the adoption of several procurement innovations and active cost management.

SIPDM Guidelines

National Treasury’s Standard for Infrastructure Procurement and Delivery Management, which was published in November 2015, heralds the dawn of an encouragingly fresh approach to the planning, design, procurement and execution of infrastructure projects. 

The guidelines to this National Treasury Standard were developed by the Civilution Forum in collaboration with National Treasury and the School of Construction Economics and Management, University of the Witwatersrand.