Ensuring transparency and efficiency in public projects is crucial to the well-being of a community. Project Health Check Auckland aims to do just that for the largest city in New Zealand.
This program was initiated to analyze and evaluate the ongoing infrastructure projects in Auckland. The goal is to identify any issues that might hinder the progress of these projects and to come up with solutions to fix them.
Project Health Check Auckland is a collaborative effort between Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, and Watercare. The project started in 2018 as a pilot, and after its successful implementation, it was incorporated into the regular work process.
The primary objective of Project Health Check Auckland is to increase the accountability of the organizations involved in the public projects and to ensure timely delivery with the desired quality. The program evaluates projects across five key areas, namely, governance, project management, procurement, design and technical, and construction and delivery.
The governance phase evaluates the decision-making process involved in the project. It includes a review of the project’s objectives, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and reporting structure. All of these factors are critical to ensuring that the project stays within the scope and budget.
The project management phase looks at how the project is being managed and monitored. It includes assessing the project plan, budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation. Any discrepancies in these areas can result in delays and cost overruns.
Procurement is a vital aspect as it involves selecting vendors and suppliers. Project Health Check Auckland ensures that proper procurement processes are followed, and there is no favoritism or bias towards any vendor or supplier.
Design and technical evaluation is done to ensure that the project design meets the desired standards. It includes evaluating the feasibility, technical specifications, and quality assurance plans. Any lapses in quality can have an adverse impact on the project’s final outcome.
Construction and delivery is the final phase of the project. A review of the construction process is conducted to identify any potential delays or cost overruns. The primary objective is to ensure that the project is delivered within the desired timeframe and budget.
Project Health Check Auckland is a comprehensive program that ensures complete transparency in the public project management process. All findings and recommendations are shared with the relevant parties, and regular reviews are conducted to ensure the recommendations are followed.
One of the significant advantages of this program is that it increases the community’s trust in the authorities managing the public projects. It helps establish a culture of transparency and accountability, which is necessary for the successful delivery of community projects.
The program also aids in identifying potential issues before they become major problems. This can significantly reduce the risk of delays and cost overruns, resulting in a more efficient and effective project delivery process.
Project Health Check Auckland is an essential program that ensures transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the public project management process. Its implementation is a significant step towards the development of a better and more efficient community. The thorough evaluation across all key areas provides a 360-degree view of the project and helps identify and solve issues in a timely manner. With regular reviews and recommendations, Project Health Check Auckland is a valuable initiative towards effective public project management.