International Women’s Day 2025 – Accelerate Action
March 11, 2025
Over the past decade, the specialist institutions for Project Delivery such as London Metropolitan College (LMC) and other global initiatives have brought about a significant transformation in the project controls/management profession. As part of our continued commitment to the advancement of the industry, we take this opportunity to highlight several key initiatives and regional developments that have contributed to the growth, recognition, and institutionalization of project controls as a discipline.
Government and Industry-Led Initiatives
The UK government has led several groundbreaking efforts to institutionalize project controls within major infrastructure and complex project delivery. A key outcome is the establishment of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA)—now rebranded as the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). Positioned at the heart of government, it reports directly to the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, setting national standards for project delivery excellence and driving capability maturity across departments.
In parallel, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) established the Infrastructure Client Group (ICG), which unites progressive infrastructure clients with government and industry stakeholders. ICG’s mission is to lead transformational improvements in infrastructure delivery, aligned with economic, social, and environmental outcomes.
Among its key outputs are:
- Project 13 – A new delivery model that moves away from transactional contracting towards enterprise-based partnerships.
- The Construction Playbook – A government-endorsed blueprint for public sector procurement and delivery best practices.
- TIP Live (Transforming Infrastructure Performance) – A real-time data-sharing initiative promoting benchmarking and transparency.
The UK National Audit Office (NAO) has also contributed significantly by evaluating the effectiveness of project controls in various government departments. Its insights have shaped frameworks for portfolio management, cost control, and risk governance, particularly in defence, health, and Net Zero projects.
Sustainability, Resilience, and Climate Action
Climate-linked KPIs in project controls have become a growing priority. Collaborations with international bodies such as the International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI)—co-founded by The Resilience Shift, ASCE, ICE, and others—reflect a growing awareness of the role project professionals must play in sustainable delivery. Their COP26 Roundtable Discussion Paper remains a key reference for aligning infrastructure with global climate and resilience goals. Domestically, the Green Book review and HM Treasury’s Net Zero Review have embedded sustainability metrics within appraisal and delivery standards, nudging projects toward long-term, climate-resilient outcomes.
Academic and Educational Advancements
The academic community has become an increasingly important player in developing the project controls workforce of the future. In partnership with industry, several UK universities and institutions have launched formal qualifications, research centers, and apprenticeships dedicated to project controls.
Trailblazer Apprenticeship Programs (Backed by the Department for Education):
- Level 3 – Project Controls Technician
- Level 6 – Project Controls Professional
These programs form part of the government’s broader Apprenticeship Levy initiative and are co-designed by industry leaders to provide on-the-job experience and academic grounding in cost engineering, planning, risk, and data analytics.
Academic Centres of Excellence:
- UCL’s Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction offers MSc programs in Project and Enterprise Management, incorporating modules on controls, risk, and governance.
- University of Manchester’s Project Management Research Group is conducting pioneering work in megaproject governance and performance management.
- University of Warwick and Cranfield School of Management are integrating project controls into executive education and digital transformation curricula, with a focus on AI in construction and project analytics.
Additionally, bodies such as the Association for Project Management (APM) and ECITB (Engineering Construction Industry Training Board) have launched scholarships, CPD pathways, and knowledge-sharing platforms specifically for project controls professionals.
The Road Ahead
The global investment landscape is entering a new era of capital deployment, with project controls/management costs representing 7–15% of Total Installed Cost (TIC)—a figure underscoring the critical value of this discipline in ensuring outcomes and accountability. In an industry worth trillions, these percentages translate into billions of dollars, all hinging on the effective application of project controls.
At London Metropolitan College, we remain committed to supporting and advancing global initiatives that promote effective project delivery. With joint ventures and mega-projects becoming the norm, aligning talent, training, and technology is more vital than ever.
We continue to bring together professionals, apprentices, educators, and technology providers—to share best practices, explore AI and machine learning innovations, and anticipate the skills needed for future generations. By fostering a vibrant ecosystem for knowledge exchange, we aim to champion project controls as a future-proof, high-impact profession at the heart of national and global infrastructure delivery.
About LMC – Specialist education provider for complex project delivery
LMC is a specialist provider of Project Management and Project Control training and apprenticeships. We work with employers to train and upskill the workforce with the expert knowledge and skills required to lead complex projects and drive business growth. We work with apprentices to enable them to rapidly develop the skills and knowledge needed to achieve career goals.
