1. Public works project/programme - All building, civil engineering, construction or infrastructure, including refurbishments and retrofit. The construction of equipment, excluding goods, is in scope.
2. Contracting authority - All public sector bodies procuring public works (excludes devolved administrations). The Construction Playbook is mandatory for central government departments and arm's length bodies (ALBs) on a 'comply or explain' basis recognising that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach for all public works. The wider public sector is encouraged to take account of the Construction Playbook.
3. Departments - Used where a point is specific to central government departments and ALBs.
4. Should - The Construction Playbook, and all principles and policies contained within it, is mandatory guidance to be implemented on a 'comply or explain' basis (see 'Contracting authority'). This will be enforced through spending controls and appropriate governance and approval processes for central government and ALBs.