Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Concluding remarks
Supplier engagement is central to the success of a programme. The same
can be said to apply to individual large projects that generate large-scale
demand for elements of the supply chain. Early engagement can take
many forms prior to fi nalising the supply chain strategy. For one major
transport infrastructure scheme in the UK, Crossrail, a number of
umbrella bodies and trade and industry organisations were consulted,
including the Civil Engineering Contractors' Association (CECA), the
Rail Industry Association (RIA), the Construction Products Association
(CPA), the Specialist Engineering Contractors' Group (SEC Group),
the National Specialist Contractors' Council (NSCC) and the Lifts and
Elevators Industry Association (LEIA), to name just a few! This demon-
strates the diversity and relevance of the numerous organisations that
exist in industry. These organisations are in an excellent position to
draw on their members' expertise to provide valuable market feedback
and produce data to inform a programme's procurement policy and its
supply chain procurement strategies, and for that reason should be
engaged.
Close working relationships with those and similar groups demon-
strate the commitment of the programme team and their intention to
listen to the supply market and engage wherever possible. Communica-
tion lines with all these organisations tend to smooth the management
of queries and facilitate the dissemination of programme information.
Being seen to be fair to all parties and working closely with industry-
wide bodies and trade associations helps to gain industry support for the
programme in question.
Early engagement of the supply chain also helps to anticipate the
responses to emerging procurement opportunities. However, the proof
is in the actual responses received. The next chapter describes the PSE
approach to standardising programme procurements, or as it has been
described 'building a procurement machine', which is effi cient and
robust but also offers completely transparent and auditable procurement
processes.
