A range of viewpoints highlighting issues that are effecting
businesses today and the strategies we believe will be most
successful in combating them
Ready, Steady...Rationalise
"How do we maintain momentum for improvement and change in the education estate? How do we respond to the inevitable future of ‘more with less’ as the public purse tightens?"
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Drive 10-25% efficiency gains from operational expenditure programmes
"Historically, asset management regimes have actually developed more as a result of organic growth in maintenance demand followed by stark realisation of contractual..."
Read expert viewpoint Robust business cases
"Rail projects are being and will continue to be delayed due to the inability to develop robust business cases that provide a realistic assessment of the full scale and scope of benefits,...."
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Infrastructure investment insight
“Water companies can no longer rely on incremental customer charges to improve returns and value for investors; they are under increasing pressure to drive out inefficiencies....."
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Catalysing regeneration through effective and transparent business case management
A significant reduction in residential values, historically high land values predicated on high densities that are now questionable and.....
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Managed motorways: Achieving demonstrable value for money?
“In today’s current environment there is an increasing need for highways engineers to demonstrate value for money and better returns from expenditure.”
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Effective programme management
"Delivery of complex programmes of work in a highly regulated industry is challenging at the best of times, so what part should the PMO (Programme Management Office) play in delivery?”
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Improving regulatory returns
With utilities’ regulated businesses governed by RPI-X models of funding, it is important that they constantly find new ways to remain competitive and extract real business value from the supply chain.
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Robust business cases optimise aviation assets and unlock hidden potential
"Increasingly business cases are often rushed and are based on unsubstantiated evidence and incorrect data. In many cases this can lead to substantial financial implications....."
Read expert viewpoint Achieving DRC compliance early
Local authorities are adopting different approaches to asset management. This ranges from complex and often costly engineering solutions to substantiate investment decisions,....
Read expert viewpoint The impact of the draft determinations: meeting the performance challenge
"An analysis of the Draft Determinations indicates that the water companies appear to have been dealt a very tough hand of cards by Ofwat.”
Read expert viewpoint From compliance to performance in highways maintenance
The tools should already exist for Highways Authorities to drive improvements but are they being used effectively?
Read expert viewpoint Zero carbon definition offers a new practical approach
“The emerging definition of zero carbon starts to suggest that the current Code Level 6 ambition for the future of house building will be superseded by a more practical and commercially balanced approach.”
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Robust processes during construction projects deliver effective safeguarding
Policies formed by Head teachers and Governors that fail to ‘adequately’ safeguard can have hard hitting Ofsted and legal implications for schools.
Read expert viewpoint Minimising the impact of the carbon reduction committment and maximising its benefits
From April 2010 all organisations which spent over £500,000 on electricity in 2008 should be concerned with carbon as they are likely to be required to be ‘full participants’ of the forthcoming Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC).
Read expert viewpoint In the race to secure capital funding early preparation and a clear vision are crucial
As the UK struggles to deal with the extremely high levels of debt incurred in the wake of the financial crisis and the recession, it is inevitable that spending cuts will happen across the public sector.
Read expert viewpoint Greater focus on equipping costs delivers better value
Information on the value of equipment owned by a Trust and the expected year on year spend, is often sketchy, making it difficult to establish whether the Trust is achieving optimum value for money and define what the scope for future improvement is.
Read expert viewpoint International investment in China...key factors to achieving greater returns
EC Harris has found international investors who are successful in China have adapted their investment strategy to build local relationships and respect the Chinese culture.
Read expert viewpoint The route to secure BREEAM 'excellent' for new school buildings and improve learner environments
The sustainability targets for new school buildings are relatively well known: to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating; and in order to obtain an additional £50 per metre squared funding, achieve a 60% carbon reduction.
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Data Centre Insight: Achieve greater certainty of returns
Businesses can achieve greater certainty of returns from establishing IT needs, delivering and running the built asset, to disposal of consolidated space which is surplus to strategic requirements.
Read expert viewpoint Efficiency of Airport Assets
With the recent market turmoil, many airlines, especially those of a low cost nature are now dropping routes, deemed to be un-profitable to operate, whilst others are rationalising their timetables and operations.
Read expert viewpoint Early consideration needed to effectively achieve BREEAM ratings
"A BREEAM rating is fast becoming a must for both developers and occupiers looking to gain competitive advantage. Early consideration is vital to ensure a top BREEAM rating is effectively achieved in the most cost efficient manner."
Read expert viewpoint Work out solutions
A work-out solution will identify the financial exposure, and propose a plan to mitigate losses and maximise values from defaulting loans. It is best carried out by an integrated team of experts.
Read expert viewpoint Collaborative Strategies: The route to maximising future operational savings
Traditional approaches to partnering and outsourcing have improved performance, though examples tend to be found in mature contracts which are now largely exhausted.
Read expert viewpoint Unlocking regeneration schemes - the single conversation
Regeneration schemes were early victims of the world financial crisis and yet they are crucial to meeting the UK’s still strong demand for housing.
Read expert viewpoint Improve energy efficiency - improve learning outcomes
The rising cost of utilities and the availability of a broad selection of effective energy saving measures, underpinned by alternative funding, means that many schools can now save enough of their utility costs to pay for a teacher....
Read expert viewpoint Improved efficiency underpins decent home programmes
During these challenging times, efficient procurement and programme management will be crucial, not only to maximise outputs from allocated resources, but to justify future funding tranches.
Read expert viewpoint Renewable energy contracts
The unique characteristics of the industry need to be recognised and accommodated within the contract strategies for both individual projects and wider development programmes.
Read expert viewpoint Tenant retention
Recent research conducted by EC Harris, has shown that the lack of value delivered by Landlords is a key concern to tenants in today’s business environment.
Read expert viewpoint Student accommodation takes the honours
With universities operating on tightening budgets, and spend being focussed on core education activities, private halls are becoming an increasingly popular option for students seeking modern premises with additional on-site facilities.
Read expert viewpoint Supply chain engagement
There are likely to be over 8,000 turbines required over the next few years using in excess of 8,000,000 tonnes of steel from just three main stream turbine supplies and only three more with the potential to enter the mix.
Read expert viewpoint Efficiency savings
The opportunities to make real cost savings and drive efficiency are significant and can be up to 25%.
Read expert viewpoint Ten steps to achieving success in major programmes
In increasingly tightening markets it is more important than ever to realise; cost and time certainty from major project delivery.
Read expert viewpoint Major programmes: The recession busters?
Whilst governments across the world are being driven by different legislation, many are turning to projects that will create a legacy for their economies.
Read expert viewpoint How Co-op made it the 'Big Five'
Given the indigestion Morrisons has suffered with Safeway, what will Co-op do with Somerfield to propel it into food retail’s Premier League?
Read expert viewpoint Zen and the art of cost cutting
Retail property teams are under severe pressure to drive capital efficiency and reduce costs. One consequence is that consultants across the property value chain are facing downward pressure on fees.
Read expert viewpoint The perfect commercial model for capital investment will take utilities to a new frontier
The best starting point to the winning formula is a model that loops and links the capital business strategy. This ties the overall capital strategy to the latest price review.
Read expert viewpoint 100% visibility of actual costs can reduce expenditure programmes by up to 7%
Regularly faced with poor data quality, weak financial controls and limited visibility of suppliers’ systems and processes, quite often capital and operational expenditure is ineffectively monitored.
Read expert viewpoint Sustainable asset management
The operating models of airports worldwide are changing, with the break up of aviation monopolies and government disposals through PPP acquisitions.
Read expert viewpoint Energy policy indecision
More charges of energy policy dithering have hit the Government as a final decision on the proposed ‘clean coal’ plant at Kingsnorth in Kent has been further delayed until the autumn of 2009 at the earliest.
Read expert viewpoint The sustainable workplace
The workplace can be both sustainable and viable, with an integrated strategy delivering far greater Opex and Capex savings than the conventional workplace approach. EC Harris discuss how re-organising the workplace can increase net profit by up to 60%
Read expert viewpoint Forensic cost assurance
In response to clients asking for more in-depth analysis of a project's costs, EC Harris has developed a unique new service which delivers savings on between 3% - 7% of the project value.
Read expert viewpoint The value of sustainability
The requirement for sustainability in built
assets is set to increase further from the
meteoric rise up the agenda that has been seen in the last two years.
Read expert viewpoint Re-engineering section 106
The Government's ambition of delivering three million new homes by 2020 is becoming increasingly unachievable as developers and landowners continue a trend of 'mothballing' residential sites.
Read expert viewpoint Strategic Asset Management
The delivery of improved asset performance and reduced operational cost is a key challenge for industrial organisations in the current economic climate.
Read expert viewpoint Bottom line improvement
The credit crunch is tightening its grip on financial resources and the utility regulatory review process is scrutinising business efficiency. So it is no suprise that renewed vigour has been applied to strategies of business efficiency and thrift.
Read expert viewpoint Is PPP dead and buried?
A new generation of public private partnership (PPP) solutions is set to emerge on the back of the current global financial crisis and will be used to accelerate developments across Europe and further afield.
Read expert viewpoint Improve hotel revenue & value
In an increasingly challenging market with hotel owners and operators seeking to protect revenues, technology offers a route to real competitive advantage and brand differentiation.
Read expert viewpoint Retailers expanding internationally
Sales from international networks are going to contribute more than home market sales for UK retailers over the coming years, with some retailers reporting over 80% of profit contribution coming from overseas.
Read expert viewpoint Investment Decisions
The Tenant Services Authority is up and running and once it has resolved the immediate crises of stabilising cash strapped affordable housing providers, the regulator will inevitably refocus on its original mandate.
Read expert viewpoint Integrated business plans
In the 40 or so years that housing associations have existed as we know them today the challenges facing the sector have never been more acute.
Read expert viewpoint Transformation Schemes
"Councils face an ever increasing challenge in this economic downturn with budget shortfalls likely to expand still further next year alongside increases in service demands."
Read expert viewpoint Ownership and rental models
With 75,000 repossessions forecast in the UK in 2009, should we now be reconsidering our attitude to owner occupation and our unceasing drive to encourage individuals to take on commitments which may not be in their best interests...?
Read expert viewpoint Valuing development sites
The governments policy to have all new homes ‘zero carbon’ by 2016 has been well publicised. With the introduction of the Code for Sustainable Homes and the Building a Greener Future
Read expert viewpoint Two tier CRE
“Environmental challenges have become an important part of the business landscape and present an unprecedented challenge to business as usual; companies face a growing spectrum of stakeholders who are concerned about the environment.”
Read expert viewpoint Rising cost management
This compares with an increase in building costs of 58% [BCIS extrapolated General Building Cost index and M&E cost only index] over the same period, and an increase in RPI of 32% [Office for National Statistics].
Read expert viewpoint The future of retail - consumers buying more spending less
In the toughest economy for years, all instincts are telling retailers to batten down the hatches. In reality anything is possible, with it being the best time in the last fifteen years to reduce, acquire and develop property.
Read expert viewpoint How to weather the storm
Efficiencies are maximised and the balance between in house and external cost base is optimised. Organisational design has to be lean and efficient but not decimated to prevent scalability in the future.
Read expert viewpoint Students make the grade
Increasingly, this has involved considering alternative, but related, uses of the core business to improve margins, but even more importantly, to create greater certainty around development value and cashflow.
Read expert viewpoint Project Recovery
The challenges faced by developers in the Middle East are truly unique. Scale, complexity, changing stakeholder requirements and a hugely overstretched supply market often impede timely and profitable delivery of major capital projects.
Read expert viewpoint Multi National Growth
If the retail rumour mill is to be believed, both Morrisons and Sainsbury’s are casting their eyes further afield. Tesco’s multi-national growth over the last decade has been phenomenal, so what should inform the journey for the potential new entrants?
Read expert viewpoint Realising Strategic Goals
All too often power utility companies start their long term investment programmes with the objective to ‘be the best’ - with world class programme management. However, best intentions time and again begin to fail.
Read expert viewpoint Meeting Project Promises
Previously the client’s push to obtain perceived cost certainty via a lump sum on the construction activities for projects has generally been the accepted approach.
Read expert viewpoint Value of External Data
"You take your chance and you pay your money" may sound like just a reversal of the old adage, however, it better reflects the capital estimating challenge that utility companies face when pricing the next five years of capital investment
Read expert viewpoint Where has the market gone?
House sales, one of the key value drivers for regeneration are likely to be down 55%, however that means that there is still a market for 45%. Furthermore, it is the availability of mortgages
Read expert viewpoint The space race
Credit crunch notwithstanding, the race for new sales space amongst the major multiples is tougher than ever.
Read expert viewpoint Cost and Time Certainty
Cost and time certainty are critical considerations for highways construction clients. Cost overruns for Transport CAPEX schemes have been a constant for over 70 years across Europe with cost overruns of over 30% not uncommon.
Read expert viewpoint Supply Chain Efficiencies
Every major utility company has over the last ten years carried out some form of supply chain initiative.
Read expert viewpoint Maintenance Management
Most asset and maintenance management systems deployed in the manufacturing sector are not delivering the desired maintenance improvements.
Read expert viewpoint The AMP5 Challenge
There are several critical elements of best practice delivery models but are the lessons learnt comprehensively considered, implemented and maximised before the onset of the next AMP period?
Read expert viewpoint BSF Performance Management
Many active Local Education Partnerships (LEPs) are not utilising the Performance Management mechanisms required under the Strategic Partnering Agreement to drive better outcomes for the Authority and its stakeholders.
Read expert viewpoint Achieving true sustainability
With so many different targets, reports and drivers it is all too easy for a Department to respond to individual drivers rather than adopt a holistic approach.
Read expert viewpoint New Ways of Working in Government
The Efficiency agenda is looking for savings of £20 billion by 2010 and the recent Comprehensive Spending Review has raised that to £30 billion.
Read expert viewpoint Power Generation Challenge
All major power generation suppliers have started to review their generation portfolio in light of the Large Combustion Plant directive and UK and European targets for low carbon generation.
Read expert viewpoint High Street Schools
Schools are a community resource and should be at the heart of each community. They don’t just educate our children but provide lifelong learning resources for all and facilities for social, sport and cultural activity year-round.
Read expert viewpoint Increasing Speed to Market
Predictions from the BWEA, for round two developments, indicate that the time between consent and operation is likely to increase to between 30 - 45 months.
Read expert viewpoint Delivering Transformation in Local Government
Recent studies have shown that councils on average only use 70% of their available workspace and in some instances actually have more desks than employees.
Read expert viewpoint Managing rising costs
The writing was on the wall with regard to a cultural shift in the way we view our homes, to the way people did 50 or 60 years ago. The post war generation viewed their homes as somewhere to live, probably for life,
Read expert viewpoint Business change
In gaining these skills, CRE executives are equipping themselves to be repositioned within their companies. No longer are they simply the deliverers of the physical asset
Read expert viewpoint Patient-centric healthcare
The temperature has dramatically increased in the health sector debate; with initiatives such as GP led clinics and new groupings of GPs and private equity providers forming new partnerships to compete for work.
Read expert viewpoint Sustainability Performance
To have any chance of achieving their objectives NHS Trusts and PCTs must understand the current sustainability performance of their estates and know the potential performance and efficiencies that can be achieved.
Read expert viewpoint Improving business performance
For the first time since the emergence of the modern housing association sector, boards and executive teams are struggling with the real and pressing need to reduce their operating costs.
Read expert viewpoint Partnership working
With tender prices continuing to drop at an increasingly rapid pace, organisations are being tempted more than ever to take advantage of low price deals at the expense of existing partnership arrangements.
Read expert viewpoint BSF Catalyst for Regeneration
New school provision in a community can be a catalyst for both educational transformation and wider community regeneration.
Read expert viewpoint Better Health Outcomes
Most projects fail for the same reasons:
The project objectives have a lack of alignment with the strategic direction of the business
Read expert viewpoint Technical Services - Hotels
“In a portfolio of 25 hotels over six years EC Harris has ensured that all hotels have passed the pre-handover systems testing, of the MEP systems and fire safety systems, this ensured that over 95% of planned opening dates were either met
or beaten.”
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