The ripple effects of the pandemic have presented fast-evolving and significant challenges around the world, but nevertheless, Critical Input’s Managing Director Tim Griffiths is foreshadowing a “mini economic boom” in Australia during mid-2021, thanks to decisive government action.

“As part of the government’s post-Covid economic stimulus strategy, there’s an expectation various capital projects will be expedited for delivery,” he explains.

“Economic support packages so far have been focussed on timely support to affected workers, businesses and the broader community, but as we enter the recovery stage, I believe the focus will shift to ambitious, large-scale infrastructure projects across multiple sectors.

“As businesses return to some type of normality, the delivery of suspended or held projects, along with escalating public infrastructure projects will converge to become a high priority for a number of entities at the same time.”

After the green light

And once public infrastructure projects receive the green light for speedy execution, the next challenge will be adequately resourcing and supporting to ensure successful delivery, Tim predicts.

“Some options touted in the market provide superficial ‘shiny rock’ solutions, which might look good, but behind the veil, lack a necessary understanding of people, process and systems,” Tim said.

“This risks inefficiencies and undermines the ultimate aim, which is faster project delivery.”

To execute, organisations will need the right enablers in place to support any escalated delivery – those enablers being people, process and systems. And, given how competitive Tim anticipates the project management, procurement and construction market will become, now’s the time for organisations to get their ducks in a row. 

Project management and supply chain enablers are crucial

As a cornerstone to its service offering, Critical Input focuses on ensuring organisations have these enablers solidly embedded as part of any project management or supply chain initiative.

Tim said Critical Input can provide support for organisations focusing on this escalation in a number of ways, including:

• Understanding current processes (the “as is”) and focusing on a “should be” process for quick delivery
• Adjustments to current process, while maintaining governance and a reliable commercial outcome
• Ensuring the people involved in the process are capable and competent to expedite delivery
• Investigating how current systems can be reviewed to support and fast-track the delivery process.