The success of infrastructure projects reflects the care and deliberation taken through the conception, planning, and early design stages. Effective due diligence requires time, effort and resources in the front-end of projects.
By taking this approach, Australia's governments can ensure infrastructure investments are ready for delivery before they are considered or announced as shovel-ready.
Successful project delivery relies on critical front-end steps, such as comprehensive consideration of project objectives and reducing risks and uncertainties to inform clear project objectives.
The objective is to support the successful delivery of the most appropriate solution for a diverse range of end users. This means understanding and managing risks before procurement and delivery.47
Reducing risks on projects in the early stages should be seen by governments as an obligation rather than an option or the responsibility of industry delivery partners in later stages.