Foreword

Globally, there is a significant deficit of required infrastructure to meet the needs of countries' populations, and delivering infrastructure that meets these needs is a high priority of governments in many countries.

Governments around the world are looking to draw on the private sector through public private partnerships (PPPs) to help deliver major infrastructure projects, because they recognize that private sector involvement can drive innovation and efficiency and provide additional financing solutions.

A PPP typically involves a long-term contract that may last for more than 20 years after the procurement phase has ended. While attention on PPPs often focuses on the ability to attract financing and achieve the critical milestone of financial close, less attention is usually given to the subsequent management of projects throughout construction and operation.

The PPP Contract Management Tool (referred to herein as the 'reference tool') provides public sector officials with practical guidance and case studies, so that those responsible for managing contracts after financial close are better able to ensure project objectives and value for money. The reference tool has been developed based on analysis of contract management experience from more than 250 PPP projects globally and lessons learned from specific project case studies.

The reference tool is designed to be used by a variety of public sector authorities with different levels of expertise and experience in managing PPP projects. While it is aimed at those responsible for managing PPP projects after financial close, it also highlights lessons arising over the lifetime of these projects, which are instructive for those responsible for the procurement of PPPs, as well as policy makers.

The reference tool explores critical issues of contract management, highlighting leading practice and real-life experience, using case studies to provide practical learnings across a range of project types from a variety of jurisdictions. It is not designed to provide a single solution, but a framework for governments around the world to build capability in their public sector officials who are responsible for managing infrastructure projects after financial close.

By using the reference tool, governments will be better able to manage project construction and operation, work more successfully with private sector partners, and continue to secure greater social and economic benefits from quality infrastructure projects.