Report celebrates innovation in projects

A special report focusing on project teams who innovate and improve their approach to projects has been published by APM

The report features four finalists shortlisted for APM’s 2014 Project of the Year, all judged to have excelled in three key areas: project management, results, and innovation and lessons learned.

Overall winner Network Rail went to extraordinary lengths to repair storm-damaged track near Dawlish in Devon, deploying water cannons and flying drones. 

“We used drones to take aerial photos so we could ensure our water cannons were at the right pressure to remove the material without undermining the whole area,” said Tom Kirkham, Network Rail project manager.

Other finalists Thales UK and London Underground, United Utilities and 4Delivery Ltd used specially-equipped monitoring trains, mock tunnels and a ‘buddy system’ between designers and engineers to achieve the desired outcome. 

In each case innovative thinking played a vital role in the project’s success. 

Andy Bell, Thales programme director, who worked on the Jubilee and Northern Line upgrade, added: “The best ideas came directly from the people working on the project – engineers and testers who had a very clear understanding of the challenges and what was needed.”

The APM Project Management Awards have been recognising excellence in project management for the past 22 years. 

Finalists for 2015 will be announced on the APM website on Monday 27th July. This year’s award ceremony will take place on 2 November at London Hilton on Park Lane.