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The Project Control Framework
This framework sets out how we, together with the Department for Transport, manage and deliver major road improvement projects.
The Project Control Framework
On 1st April 2008 we launched the Project Control Framework in our Major Projects Directorate. The Framework sets out how we, together with the Department for Transport, manage and deliver major improvement projects. It is designed to ensure that we deliver road projects which meet our customers' aspirations in a cost efficient and timely manner.
The framework includes a project lifecycle which breaks down the development and delivery of a major project into 3 phases and 7 stages. This is shown in the diagram and explanation below.
Major Projects Lifecycle (30KB GIF)
Options Phase
During the Options Phase a number of options are investigated in order to determine the preferred solution (or route) to the transport challenge the scheme is seeking to tackle. The scheme option(s) are then subject to public consultation and at the end of the Phase the preferred route announcement is made.
Development Phase
During the Development Phase the preferred route is designed in detail. If the scheme requires a new line of the road, side road changes, associated compulsory purchase of land or an Environmental Statement it will be necessary to follow statutory procedures under the Planning Act 2008. These require us to consult formally the authorities and people affected about the detailed proposals before submitting an application for development consent to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (to become part of the Planning Inspectorate on 6 April 2012). If IPC accepts the application it will carry out a formal examination of the development consent proposals from written evidence and possibly hold hearings, before making a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Transport about whether or not consent should be granted. At this point a Ministerial decision is made as to whether to go ahead and construct the scheme.
If only the compulsory purchase of land is required for a scheme it still possible to use existing Highways Act 1980 procedures without application to IPC.
Construction Phase
The scheme is built in the Construction Phase and once complete, preparations are made to open the road to traffic.
Product Matrix
For every stage of the lifecycle we have defined the key deliverables (or products) that need to be produced. The products are what we need to do in order to progress the project to its next stage or phase. We've listed all the products in a 'product matrix'. This shows what needs to be produced and in what stage or stages of the lifecycle.
- The Project Control Framework Handbook - April 2008 (756KB PDF)
- PCF Product Matrix Quick Reference Guide (16KB PDF)
Governance Arrangements
At the end of every stage we have clear control (governance) points in order to review and approve the project to move to the next stage. This enables us to ensure that as the project is developed it will continue to deliver our customers' expectations and be cost effective.
If you would like further information on the Project Control Framework you can access the handbook and product matrix here.
The framework has been developed to cater for projects which are delivered using the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) form of contract. Further development is currently underway to adapt the framework to cater for other forms of contract and types of project.
