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Building the Argument: What makes
project management in the Construction
sector different?
APM Wessex Network & Built Environment IN Volunteering Group
July 2026
© 2024 Association for Project Management 2
Introductions
Claire Biggs MAPM
Associate - J4 Projects
APM Built Environment Interest Network Volunteer
Dave Corbin FAPM ChPP
Chief Project Delivery Officer - Gleeds
APM Built Environment Interest Network Lead
© 2024 Association for Project Management 4
1. Do you work in the Built Environment?
2. Are Project Management skills transferable to all
sectors?
3. Can the generic APM lifecycle enable a smooth delivery
of projects in any sector?
4. Do you feel that training is easily available if you have
no Built Environment background?
5. What are we currently doing that discourages people
from entering the built environment — and what could
we do differently to attract them?
Sli.do Poll #1
Multiple choice poll
Do you work in the Built Environment? 0 1 8
Yes
11 %
No
72 %
No but I have done in the past
17 %
Ranking poll
Are Project Management skills transferable to
all sectors?
0 1 7
1. Mostly
2.35
2. Totally
0.94
3. Partly
0.71
4. Not at all
0.00
Ranking poll
Can the generic APM lifecycle enable a smooth
delivery of projects in any sector?
0 1 7
1. Yes
1.53
2. Not sure
1.41
3. No
0.18
Ranking poll
Do you feel that training is easily available if
you don't have a Built Environment
background?
0 1 7
1. Don't know
1.94
2. Yes
0.71
3. No
0.35
Open text poll
What are we currently doing that discourages
people from entering the built environment —
and what could we do differently to attract
them?
(1/2)
0 1 6
Boring Free coffee= more
applicants
Discourages: Policies, Engineering
background Attract: Existing
projects, Salary
Need specifc certs
You are already competing with
relevant field people
I think a lot of people move into PM
from the industry they are in. If you
work in tech you become a tech PM
and same for BE.
They're only looking for field related
people
The need for prior experience is
mandated by recruiters, but a
newbie does have the required
experience
To explain the expectation clearly.
Not sure how you would go about
it. What’s the route?
Grenfell
Governance
Seen as “old fashioned” and
traditional. Ie not forward looking
Belief that you need supplementary
qualifications in construction
Open text poll
What are we currently doing that discourages
people from entering the built environment —
and what could we do differently to attract
them?
(2/2)
0 1 6
Complexity, legislation
Boring
Too technical Seen as a man’s world
© 2024 Association for Project Management 5
What are we currently doing that discourages people from entering the built
environment — and what could we do differently to attract them?
SWWE Event – Feb 2026
© 2024 Association for Project Management 6
RIBA Plans of Works – Deliverables across stages
Figure 2: RIBA Plan of Works 2020
© 2024 Association for Project Management 7
Delivery in the Built Environment
APM Lifecycle vs RIBA Plan of Works
4 Technical
Design
3 Spatial
Coordination
6 Handover
5 Construction
0 Strategic
Definition
1 Preparation &
Brief
2 Concept
Design
Transition
7 In use
Benefits
Realisation
Deployment
Concept Definition
RIBA Plan of Works 2020 Stages 0 - 7
Adoption
APM Extended Lifecycle
All Sectors vs Built Environment
© 2024 Association for Project Management 8
What's Different
Regulatory Approvals
Procurement Strategy’s
Sustainability – Organisational & National
Design decisions are often irreversible once built.
High exposure to health & safety, environmental, and planning
risk.
Complexity of Project Team
Length of extended lifecycle
What's the same
Project Business Case & Objectives
Stakeholder Engaement
Defined Scope, Cost, Programme & Risk Management
Long Lead Items
Time Related Decision Making
Complexity of Project Team
Governance, Assurance and Change Control
© 2024 Association for Project Management 9
Detail of the difference..
4 Technical
Design
3 Spatial
Coordination
6 Handover
5 Construction
0 Strategic
Definition
1 Preparation &
Brief
2 Concept
Design
7 In use
Governance:
Business Case
End Stage Report
Governance:
Project Brief
End Stage Report
Governance:
Update Project Brief
End Stage Report
Governance:
End Stage Report
Governance:
End Stage Report
Change Control
Governance:
End Stage Report
Governance:
• End Stage Report
• O&M Manual &
• Health & Safety File
• Practical Completion
• Certificate
Governance:
Post Occupancy
Evaluation
Regulatory Approvals:
• Obtain pre-
application planning
advice
• Agree route to
Building Regulations
compliance
• Option: Submit
outline planning
application
Regulatory Approvals:
• Submit planning
application
• Review design
against building
Regulations
Regulatory Approvals:
• Discharge
Planning conditions
• Building regulations
Application
• Prepare
Construction
Phase Plan – F10
Regulatory Approvals:
• Comply with
Planning conditions
• Carry out
Construction
Phase Plan – F10
Regulatory Approvals:
• Comply with Planning conditions
Procurement:
Traditional
Pre-Construction Services Agreement
Design & Build
Value Engineering
Organisational Sustainability Goals
Sustainability – Organisational & National/Global
Regulatory Compliance & Design Standards
10
gleeds.com
1. Core Statutory Regulations (All Projects)
Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022)
The UK’s primary safety framework introducing new dutyholders,
competency requirements, building control gateways, and the
Golden Thread of information.
Building Regulations 2010 (as amended incl. 2023 updates)
Governs building performance across fire, structure, access,
energy, ventilation, etc. All designs must comply with relevant
Approved Documents (A–S).
Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM
2015)
Establishes legal duties for Clients, Principal Designers, and
Principal Contractors to manage health and safety risks
throughout a project lifecycle.
Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Principal UK legislation placing general duties on employers,
employees, and designers to ensure safe working environments.
Fire Safety Legislation
Includes:
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Fire Safety Act 2021
Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
Sets out requirements for fire management, evacuation strategies, and
building fire safety systems.
Equality Act 2010 – Inclusive Access
Ensures buildings and environments are inclusive and accessible
for all users.
UK Built Environment Sector
Regulatory Compliance & Design Standards
11
gleeds.com
UK Built Environment Sector
2. National Standards, Codes & Guidance
• British Standards (BS / BSI)
• BS 9999 – Fire safety in non-residential buildings
• BS 9991 – Fire safety in residential buildings
• BS 8300 – Inclusive design
• BS EN 1990–1999 – Eurocodes for structural design
• BS 5975 – Temporary works procedures
• ISO Standards (commonly required in
bids/frameworks)
• ISO 19650 – Information management using BIM
• ISO 9001 – Quality management
• ISO 14001 – Environmental management
• ISO 45001 – Occupational H&S
• ISO 27001 – Information security
Regulatory Compliance & Design Standards
12
gleeds.com
3. Sector-Specific Standards (examples)
Education (DfE)
DfE Output Specification (OS)
Building Bulletins: BB100 (Fire), BB103 (Area Guidelines)
Justice (MoJ)
Ministry of Justice Design Standards
Technical Standards for Custodial Facilities (security,
resilience, anti-ligature, safer cells)
Healthcare (NHS / DHSC)
Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs) – engineering &
compliance
Health Building Notes (HBNs) – clinical & design planning
UK Built Environment Sector
4. Planning & Environmental Controls
• Town & Country Planning Act 1990
• National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
• Local development plans & planning
conditions
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Regulations
• Environment Agency consents (e.g.,
drainage, flood risk)
Regulatory Compliance & Design Standards
13
gleeds.com
5. Security & Protective Standards
PAS 24 – Enhanced security doorsets
Secured by Design (SBD) – Police-approved security
requirements
Government Security Classifications (GSC)
ISO 27001 – Secure information management
UK Built Environment Sector
6. Sustainability & Carbon Standards
• UK Net Zero & 2050 targets
• RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge
• BREEAM (certification for sustainability
performance)
• CIBSE TM54 / TM65 – Operational &
embodied carbon modelling
• LETI design guidance
• Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
alignment
Regulatory Compliance & Design Standards
14
gleeds.com
7. Digital, BIM & Golden Thread Requirements
ISO 19650 (Parts 1–5) – BIM information management
Digital Plan of Work (DPoW)
Common Data Environments (CDE) / information
exchange standards
Golden Thread compliance (BSA 2022)
UK Built Environment Sector
© 2024 Association for Project Management 15
External Project
Manager
External Project
Manager
Architect
Architect Cost Manager
Cost Manager
Principal Designer
(CDM & BSA)
Principal Designer
(CDM & BSA) Structural & Civil
Structural & Civil
Mechanical &
Electrical
Mechanical &
Electrical
Client and Client
PM
Client and Client
PM
Accessibility
Accessibility
Lighting
Designer
Lighting
Designer
Interior Design
Interior Design
Vertical
Transportation
Vertical
Transportation
Planning
Consultant
Planning
Consultant
Procurement
Procurement
Programme
Planner
Programme
Planner
Estimator
Estimator
Sustainability
Sustainability
Acoustician
Acoustician
SMaRT/BMS
SMaRT/BMS
Sustainability
Accreditation
Sustainability
Accreditation
Air Quality
Air Quality
Local Planning
Authority
Local Planning
Authority
Heritage
Heritage
Traffic Officer
Traffic Officer
Sustainability
Sustainability
Façade
Specialist
Façade
Specialist
Ground
Investigation
Ground
Investigation
Demolition
Demolition
Sustainability
Sustainability
Building Control
Building Control
Local Fire
Service
Local Fire
Service
Fire Engineer
Fire Engineer
Temporary
Works
Temporary
Works
Sector Specific
Sector Specific
FF&E
FF&E
Commissioning
Manager
Commissioning
Manager
Security
Security
Sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability Construction
Construction
Project Disciplines
Landscape
Architect
Landscape
Architect
3rd party
Advisors (20th
Century)
3rd party
Advisors (20th
Century)
Client Team:
Facilities Management
Digital Technology Services
Space & Asset Management
Sustainability Dept
Risk & Compliance
Health & safety
Client Team:
Facilities Management
Digital Technology Services
Space & Asset Management
Sustainability Dept
Risk & Compliance
Health & safety
Client Governance:
Project Sponsor
Finance Board
Key End Users
Client Governance:
Project Sponsor
Finance Board
Key End Users
Sustainability
Sustainability
Weekly Update
Council
UEB
S&FC
PC & FG
CIPB
CDPG
DTM
Working Groups
Committee update with key
stakeholders & End Users
Funding
Project Board update, key decisions,
issues and budget control
Monthly progress review, risks &
issues, change control
Contract awards
Agree change requests, overview of
project progress, blockers &
opportunities
Change Board
Funding
Project Team, Key
Stakeholders & End Users
Project Boards for key decisions
• UEB – University Executive Board
• S& FC -Scrutiny & Finance Committee
• PC & FG – Project Committee & Feasibility Group
• CIPB – Capital Development Investment Board
• CDPG – Capital Development Project Group
University Project Meetings – Organisational Chart
Project Team
Meetings
Risk Workshops Budget Control Progress Reviews
Procurement strategies
17
gleeds.com
Single Stage Single source
Two Stage
Competitive
Type of Contract Approach
Design & Build
Traditional
NEC
JCT
Form of Contract
FIIDIC
Bespoke
Collaboration Efforts
A cultural shift…
From this…… to this……
Collaboration Efforts
30 years of trying…
1998
1994 2002
2011
2013
2016
2018
2020 - 2022
2021
Sustainability in the Built Environment
20
gleeds.com
The why…
Sustainability in the Built Environment
21
gleeds.com
So what…
Sustainability in the Built Environment
22
gleeds.com
The journey…
© 2024 Association for Project Management 24
1. What do SROs/Clients value in their project manager?
2. What were the immediate differences between your
sector and the Built Environment?
3. Are Project Management skills transferable to all
sectors?
4. Can the generic APM lifecycle enable a smooth delivery
of projects in any sector
Sli.do Poll #2
Wordcloud poll
What do SROs/Clients value in their project
manager?
0 1 8
results
uncertainty
together
team
proper
plan
multi
manage
documentation
disciplinary
bring
action
Trustp
Trust and integrity
Trust & competence
Transparency
Timely Actions
Time Management
Stakeholder management
Reporting
Reliability/trust
Honesty
Governance
Good stakeholder management
Good communication
Getting stuff done
Efficiency
Effective
Delivering results
Communication
Comms
Clarity
Being up-to-dated
Adaptation
Ability to adapt
Ability
© 2024 Association for Project Management 25
What do SROs/Clients value in their project manager?
SWWE Event – Feb 2026
Open text poll
What were the immediate differences between
your sector and the Built Environment?
0 1 5
Ability to adapt is driven by
legislation not evolutionary or
leatning
Public sector oversight, H&S, rigid
regulatory environment.
Specific legislation
Safety in priority.
Difference of levels
Complexity, culture differences,
different types of layers and teams
Complex systems, Regulations
Complexity around legislation
Different kinds of levels
Extended linear timelines
Inflexibility
Just minor details
Levels of governance
Importance of project management
Complexity
I work in the built environment 😊
flexibility
Culture
Ranking poll
Are Project Management skills transferable to
all sectors?
0 1 6
1. Mostly
2.75
2. Totally
1.00
3. Partly
0.25
4. Not at all
0.00
Ranking poll
Can the generic APM lifecycle enable a smooth
delivery of projects in any sector?
0 1 8
1. Yes
1.94
2. St
0.83
3. No
0.33
APM Built Environment
Network Community
Page
APM Built Environment
Network LinkedIn Page
Dave Corbin FAPM, Chief Project Delivery Officer at Gleeds & APM Built Environment Interest Network Lead
Claire Biggs MAPM, Senior Project Manager at J4 Projects & APM Built Environment Interest Network Volunteer
© 2024 Association for Project Management 27
Thank you
Any questions?