NETLIPSE - NETwork for the dissemination of knowledge on the management and organisation of Large Infrastructure ProjectS in Europe
Overview
Background & policy context:
In the White Paper: Time to Decide (2001), the EU addresses the need for a Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). To create the TEN-T, the EC has invested in the construction of several Large Infrastructure Projects (LIPs). Yet the EC has limited possibilities for forecasting and monitoring the effectiveness of these projects: it is unclear which elements in the management and organisation influence the LIPs success. Active European development and knowledge exchange is scarce.
The NETLIPSE project aimed at setting up a network for the growing demand for knowledge and that allows the projects to benefit from the experiences of other projects.
Objectives:
The objectives of the NETLIPSE project were:
- Setting up a continuous and interactive knowledge network;
- Gathering information on best practices and lessons learnt in the management and organisation of 15 LIPs in Europe;
- Disseminating the knowledge gathered and promoting the research results;
- Translating the best practices into an evaluation and monitoring tool (called the Infrastructure Project Assessment Tool) that will allow for the quick and effective implementation of new policies.
The best practices not only focussed on the management and organisation of these projects, but also provided insight into such subjects as innovation and new technologies. As a result the EC was able to deploy, monitor and evaluate LIPs more effectively.
Methodology:
The project is carried out by five research teams, representing public and private organisations and knowledge institutes from the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany and Denmark. However any large infrastructure project, governmental or private organisation interested in NETLIPSE can join the network.
The 15 projects researched concern infrastructures for road, rail and waterborne modes of transport. The NETLIPSE research started with defining the research question and designing the Knowledge Protocol, the protocol used to govern research of the 15 projects. NETLIPSE incorporate a dual focus in the Knowledge Protocol, assessing the management capability of the project delivery organisation as well as the historical development of the project in its context. The Knowledge Protocol was tested in two pilot projects (Betuweroute and West Coast Main Line), evaluated, adapted and assessed as being fit for use by the Technical Verification Board. The Knowledge Protocol covers 8 themes that were used to structure the interviews and clusters the best practices and lessons learnt:
- Objectives and scope;
- Stakeholders;
- Financial management;
- Organisation and management;
- Risks (threats and opportunities);
- Contracting;
- Legal consents;
- Knowledge and Technology.
The knowledge gathered is disseminated through a wide variety of communication media:
- A website is available, which provides downloadable information and interactive forum discussions;
- People in the network will receive regular updates via abi-annual electronic newsletter on the NETLIPSE progress, meetings and project information;
- Several network meetings, conferences and project visits are organised;
- At the end of the two-year research period, the best practices are published in a book: 'Managing large infrastructure projects', which includes a report describing the attainability of the development of a quality model, and an Infrastructure project Assessment Tool, which will allow the EU to monitor large infrastructure projects more effectively.
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