Construction Innovation Hub Celebrates Value Toolkit

– Delivering Tools to Meet Tomorrow’s Challenges, Today

 

 

This week, the Construction Innovation Hub is celebrating the completion of the Value Toolkit, following a successful development programme with over 200 industry partners. The announcements include the launch of a new BSI flex standard to underpin value-based decisions making in the sector.

Bringing together those who have contributed to its journey, including government, clients and industry partners, the Hub is now sharing the transition phase to adoption.

The Value Toolkit is a pioneering suite of tools that will be used by industry to embed value-based decision making in the built environment sector. It is a government funded industry-led initiative – with roots in the Construction Leadership Council’s Procuring for Value report and set to deliver on the ambitions of the Construction Playbook and the IPA’s Transforming Infrastructure Performance Roadmap.

The Toolkit has been developed to reframe the definition of value, and how it can be evaluated and measured, capturing wider, whole-life considerations around net-zero, user experience, productivity and social impact.

Working with partners and collaborating has been critical to the success and there are few corners of the sector that the Value Toolkit has not touched – from local authorities to central government departments, consultancies, contractors and specialist SMEs. The ambition is now for widespread adoption, driven by government and underpinned by industry.

More information about the Value Toolkit and how to get involved is available on the Hub’s website: https://constructioninnovationhub.org.uk/value-toolkit

 

Keypoints to note:

1. The completion of the Value Toolkit was celebrated at an event held at the Institution of Civil Engineers on Monday 20 June 2022. A keynote address was given by Lee Rowley MP, Minister for Business and Industry.
2. The Value Toolkit enables value-based decision making focused on driving better social, environmental and economic outcomes, improving industry’s impact on current and future generations. It empowers clients and policy makers to work with their supply chains to make informed, value-based decisions that drive better social, economic, and environmental outcomes.
3. The overarching principles are set out in a BS Flex standard (BS Flex 390 Built environment- Value-based decision making – Specification) and will be supported by a detailed suite of tools that integrate to support key decisions that, at every stage of the asset lifecycle, allow clients and the market to work together to target, measure and deliver improvements in value.
4. The Value Toolkit process considers five phases of an investment lifecycle:
   1. Need
   2. Concept Design Optioneering
   3. Detailed Design
   4. Delivery
   5. Operation

These describe the key phases in the process of defining and delivering value and can be applied to both construction of new assets, as well as repair/maintenance of existing ones.

5. For each phase, the Value Toolkit sets out a series of facilitated activities aimed at helping the client to make more informed, value-based decisions and, ultimately, to drive better outcomes. the key elements include:
   1. Identification and prioritise strategic objectives mapped to the Value Definition Framework, providing a definition of what value means to the client
   2. Development of outcome drivers (SMART statements) that translate the strategic objectives into initiatives or priorities that can be embedded within the scope of the project or programme and will help to achieve the strategic objectives
   3. Value scorecards that enable metrics and performance ranges to be set for each outcome drivers to enable value to be objectively measured and different options evaluated.
6. Case studies and testimonials are available here: https://constructioninnovationhub.org.uk/value-toolkit/testimonials/

 

Keith Waller, Programme Director at the Construction Innovation Hub, said:

“This is a landmark moment for the Hub and our industry partners, and a gamechanger for construction and the built environment.

Decision making in construction has been historically driven by how much something cost, or how long it took to build. The Toolkit delivers a laser-like focus on project outcomes that delivers value beyond the bottom line, and positively affect communities and those who live in them for decades to come. It will ensure a more collaborative relationship between clients and suppliers throughout the whole life of a project”.

 

 

Construction Minister Lee Rowley MP said:

“It’s good to see this new initiative come to fruition after a successful pilot. The Toolkit reflects the Government’s desire to ensure we embrace a construction procurement process that has clean, green innovation at its heart.

It complements our commitment to boost the productivity of this vital industry as part of our plans to grow the economy and create good quality jobs. I look forward to continuing to work with the Construction Leadership Council to realise this ambition.”

 

Rory Kennedy, Value Toolkit Strategy Board Chair and Director of Capital, Department for Education said:

“This is a proud day for the many individuals, businesses and organisations who have worked tirelessly through huge collaborative effort to develop, evolve and shape the Value Toolkit.

The Value Toolkit is a powerful initiative that enables value-based decision-making – that best reflect the full range of commonly desired benefits, including better social, environmental and economic outcomes. Government, clients, and the industry all agree that a different approach to value is needed. An approach that reflects a shared ambition for a built environment that delivers more – one that provides a springboard for economic growth, enhances communities, and sustains the environment. The Value Toolkit is this new approach.

I look forward to seeing the Value Toolkit go from strength to strength as Government and industry drive wider adoption.”

 

Andy Mitchell, Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) commented:

 “For far too long now we have talked cost with little or no reference to value; we have talked outputs not outcomes.  The Value Toolkit seeks to see an end to this by providing a comprehensive suite of tools that will help clients and suppliers alike develop a real understanding of what is actually important as we specify, design and deliver infrastructure for people and society. 

I would like to thank everyone involved in getting us to this point, and encourage everyone else to understand, use and help develop this Toolkit going forward.”