Benchmarking UK Government Procurement Performance in Construction Projects

Benchmarking is introduced as a practice of non-financial assessment that promotes continual performance improvement. Its relevance to and possible consequences for the public sector are discussed in relation to a case study in construction procurement. A pilot study investigating the achievements of government clients in construction procurement has identified a need for better client “ownership” of project risk and opportunity. The article argues that benchmarking can provide the vehicle for this “ownership”. In conjunction with the clients and HM Treasury, a second stage of project assessment has just been completed and the methods and results described. The aim is to realize consistent, relevant and feasible metrics, co-operatively authored by client practitioners and academics with reference to private construction organizations, that will then be used for purposes of on-going self-assessment at both project and strategic levels.