Pilot Project to Cut Defects and Retentions

A PILOT PROJECT to tackle project defects at source is being launched with the long-term aim of removing the need for payment retentions.

The project, being run by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), takes previously successful data gathering schemes used to address health & safety concerns and late payment as its inspiration. It will replicate those schemes’ focus on using anonymous data to tackle the root causes of the defects ‘culture’. Both these earlier schemes produced tangible results and had a profound impact on the prevailing culture.

The pilot scheme was developed by the engineering services contractors’ umbrella body ActuateUK. Clients and contractors are invited to take part in the pilot by sharing their project data, which is non-attributed. It will help to build up a picture of why defects come about and how construction companies can set about eliminating them.

Defects and Retentions

Defects will be collected from completion certificates using processes developed by the Get It Right Initiative (GIRI). They are compared and rationalised against the overall value of the contract. This enables comparison between projects and will produce a score that can be used to evaluate a solution.

The initial stage, working with Cranfield University, is strictly a proof of concept; a test that the data can be collected and collated from projects. But getting this right, could unlock benefits for all parties, CLC says. Data can be submitted here.

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