A letter to the PM: Reimagining Data-Driven Project Delivery for a Prosperous Future

A manifesto for transformational change

Dear Prime Minister,

Congratulations on your resounding election victory and commitment to change. As you step into 10 Downing Street to begin the process of national renewal, you do so at a critical juncture. The challenges we face are vast, but so too are the opportunities—especially if we harness the power of data and technology in unprecedented ways.

The Need for Change

For too long, we have accepted failure in project delivery. Meg Hillier, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, recently noted, "All too often we see projects and programmes that are poorly managed and delivered late and over budget..... The Government must encourage cross-departmental learning if we are to avoid repeating past mistakes." That learning cannot be more lessons learned reports; after 40 years of trying, they clearly do not work. It must be about leveraging our hard-won experience, much of which is codified in data.

For example, we don't drive from London to Manchester having read a lessons learned report on previous delays; we deploy real-time mapping systems that help us navigate emerging challenges as they arise. Better still, we can start to anticipate those delays before they occur, using predictive analytics and real-time data to ensure smoother, more efficient project delivery. This approach is not just reactive but proactive, transforming our capacity to manage and deliver successful projects.

Introduction: The Cost of Project Delivery Failures

Project delivery failures are increasingly evident in high-profile cases like the Edinburgh Tram, HS2, and Crossrail, which collectively paint a stark picture of the challenges we face. These projects, mired in delays and cost overruns, highlight a systemic problem that affects society deeply. Cost overruns not only divert scarce resources from other critical public services but also erode public trust and deter future investment. Despite our rich legacy of engineering excellence, we consistently fail to exploit our collective experience, resulting in repeated inefficiencies and missed opportunities for growth and innovation.

Here’s how you can spark this transformation:

1. Reimagine Project Delivery Through Data

Data is the lifeblood of modern project delivery. By leveraging AI and advanced data analytics, we can revolutionise how projects are conceived, planned, and executed. This isn't about a top-down, government command-and-control approach. Instead, think of government as a catalyst, enabling collaboration on a scale we have yet to imagine. We need to foster a culture where data-driven decision-making is the norm, not the exception.

2. Build on Existing Policy Baselines

The government has already laid the groundwork for this future with its recent policy paper on data analytics and AI in project delivery , which was shaped through significant contributions from professional bodies and industry. The Manifesto for Data-Driven Projects, which guided this policy, includes six key principles:

1. We use data analytics to bust project management myths and beliefs.
2. All projects are data designed and enabled.
3. We pool our data to maximise insights.
4. We collaborate on open-source data analytics solutions tackling priority challenges.
5. We re-skill for a digital and data-enabled world.
6. Data analytics is codified in all aspects of project delivery best practice and culture.

These principles provide a robust framework for integrating advanced technologies into our project management strategies. By building on these principles, we can ensure that our projects are more efficient, transparent, certain and successful.

3. Challenge Established Ways of Working

The traditional methods of project delivery are often slow and inefficient. By embracing new technologies and methodologies, we can create more responsive, and effective project management frameworks. This includes adopting predictive analytics to foresee potential issues, utilising AI for smarter resource allocation, and employing real-time data tracking to ensure transparency and accountability.

4. Accelerate Opportunities with AI and Analytics

AI and data analytics offer unprecedented opportunities to enhance project delivery. These technologies can identify patterns and insights that human analysis might miss, optimise processes to save time and resources, and provide predictive capabilities to mitigate risks before they become problems. By integrating these tools into our project management strategies, we can achieve faster, more reliable, and more impactful outcomes.

5. Foster a Collaborative Ecosystem

Government cannot do this alone. We need to create a collaborative ecosystem where public and private sectors, academia, and civil society work together. This includes providing platforms for shared data and insights, enabling all stakeholders to contribute to and benefit from project successes. Organisations like Rolls-Royce, EDF, United Utilities and the Ministry of Defence are already leading the way, demonstrating the power of collaborative efforts. We have the kernel for this change and I would urge you to lean in and help to accelerate its mission.

6. Communicate the Benefits of Technology

We must shift the narrative around technology from one of fear to one of opportunity. AI and data analytics are not threats but tools that can level up our skills and drive unprecedented efficiencies. By focusing on the tangible benefits—improved services, lower costs, and better outcomes—we can build public trust and enthusiasm for these innovations.

7. A shared endeavour

By running pilots at scale we demonstrate ROI and impact. We have developed a series of books on reimagining project delivery to help people to challenge established norms across a range of disciplines. We are leveraging the government training levy as the vehicle to unite people; helping project professionals to challenge established ways of working and reimagine how they work, connecting people and encouraging them to work on shared projects. We open source the outputs from these projects so each cohort can build on the shoulders of those who have gone before. To pool our data via non-profit data trusts to help to train the models to deliver performance that none of us could achieve alone. The power of community.

In Conclusion

Pragmatic optimism is the key to transforming technological anxiety into curiosity and excitement. It acknowledges the risks but focuses on the immense potential of new technologies to drive real, positive change. As you plan your term in office, consider the transformative power of data and technology as the foundation for a new era of prosperity and progress.

Call to Action

I urge you to champion a federated approach to transforming project delivery, embracing the opportunities presented by advanced data analytics and AI. Leverage the inherent potential within the Project Data Analytics Coalition to supercharge innovation through collaborative pilots and shared data initiatives. Hold government accountable for delivering on the principles outlined in your policy paper, ensuring we lead by example in creating a more efficient, transparent, and successful project delivery ecosystem. Together, we can turn these ambitions into reality, driving growth and prosperity for our nation.

With best wishes for a successful term,