In this episode of the Major Projects Association podcast, Executive Director Andy Murray is joined by Mark Hansford, editorial consultant and former Editor of New Civil Engineer, for a special conversation ahead of our upcoming seminar on productivity. The discussion sets the scene for that event by exploring one of the sector’s most persistent challenges and a new initiative designed to address it.

At the heart of the conversation is PAS 4010, a forthcoming specification for whole life productivity in infrastructure projects and programmes, which will shortly be released for public consultation. Co-sponsored by the Department for Transport and the Institution of Civil Engineers, the new PAS seeks to create a shared framework for improving not just how efficiently projects are delivered, but how effectively the right choices are made from the outset. Drawing inspiration from the impact of PAS 2080 on carbon management, the discussion examines whether a common language and consistent approach to productivity could finally shift the dial on performance.

Andy and Mark delve into what productivity really means in practice, from data and measurement to leadership, governance and challenge, and why this moment, with a 10-year infrastructure strategy ahead and mounting delivery pressures, demands a more coordinated response. They also reflect on the risks of adding bureaucracy in the name of improvement, and how the standard aims to empower the entire value chain, from asset owners to suppliers, to drive meaningful change.

And, in keeping with podcast tradition, the episode closes with a track chosen by our guest to reflect the themes explored.

Links

Join our virtual seminar: Driving productivity: Smarter, faster and more efficient major projects

What is PAS 4010: 2026 - maximising productivity in infrastructure design and delivery?

PAS 2080

Guidance Document For PAS 2080

Five Client Carbon Commitments: Setting A Path To Net Zero Construction

Sustainability Playbook

Mark Hansford, Researcher, technical writer, editorial consultant; compere and event facilitator for the infrastructure sector

Mark has spent the last 25 years working as knowledge content specialist across the infrastructure sector. Having joined New Civil Engineer magazine in 2000, he edited the title for six years until 2020, relaunching it as a quality monthly with news delivered digitally daily, before leaving to become director of engineering knowledge at the Institution of Civil Engineers. Mark now works with a range of organisations committed to driving change across the UK infrastructure sector and is a member of the Green Construction Board and the strategic leadership group of the Get It Right Initiative (GIRI). He is a qualified civil engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, having started his career with AtkinsRealis.