The authors of Global Construction Success are extremely grateful to have received the following endorsements from industry leaders in the U.K., U.S., South Africa, China, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia.
Lord Andrew Adonis Chair of the UK National Infrastructure Commission 2017
Secretary of State for Transport 2009‐10
Minister of State for Transport 2008‐09
“Charles O'Neil and his co‐authors have produced an impressive and important contribution to the construction industry that should be read by everyone involved in construction projects”.
Nick Barrett Editor of Construction Law Magazine, U.K.
“This book emphasising human factors and risk management in delivering successful construction projects comes at a potentially crucial turning point for the construction industry, with a new readiness to consider major changes to business models and processes evident following the Carillion collapse in the UK. The industry needs to read it”.
Matthew Bell Senior Lecturer and Co‐Director of Studies, Construction Law,
Melbourne Law School, Australia
“Introducing this immensely useful book, Charles O'Neil writes that ‘there is no better experience than learning the hard way’. This is true. Charles and his colleagues have generously shared their experience on construction projects around the world so that the rest of us can recognise and steer away from the commercial, technical and – especially – human factors which cause so many projects to founder”.
Ann Bentley Global Board Director, Rider Levett Bucknall
Member of the UK Construction Leadership Council
“A very well researched and easy to read book, which adds to the growing body of knowledge demonstrating that there is a better way of doing things in construction”
Gerhard Bester MD of CAPIC, a South‐African owned, specialist consulting services firm in the infrastructure development, construction and engineering industries.
“Africa's decision makers, both public and private, clients and contractors alike, should jump at the opportunity to acquire the benefit of hindsight from the industry in first world countries – Africa generally follows their infrastructure delivery mechanisms, contracting regimes and unfortunately, consequential flaws… Africa has some additional variables to make things more challenging, but we cannot afford to ignore the wisdom and guidance on the way forward if we are to achieve “Global Construction Success” as presented by Charles O'Neil and his co‐authors in this aptly named book!”
Chris Blythe CEO, The Chartered Institute of Building, U.K.
“A great read with something for anyone wanting a successful construction industry. Construction is the art of getting ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Throughout the book, contributors show the best and worst behaviours that give the industry its extremes of reward and frustration. The wrong behaviours take the ordinary and produce the mediocre by repeating mistakes and not learning from them. Construction is too important as a driver of the global economy for the risks of failure to be as high as they are. This book offers an agenda for de‐risking construction.”
Dr. Fuyong Chen Deputy Secretary‐General of Beijing Arbitration Commission/Beijing International Arbitration Centre; Vice‐President of Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group
“Global Construction Success is a must‐read for any decision makers in the construction industry. As a leading arbitration institution in China, Beijing Arbitration Commission/Beijing International Arbitration Center has accepted over 6000 construction cases since its establishment in 1995. These cases involved nearly any type of dispute that a project may have. However, all these disputes are definitely not inevitable. The recipe to avoid dispute is clearly included in the recommendations made by a stunning line‐up of industry experts in this book”.
John Dick Partner, Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP, Singapore
“I have known Charles O'Neil for over 25 years, from his days running the Somerset Chancellor Court development in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam. One thing about Charles that I have noted over the years is that when he expresses an opinion, it is worth listening to him. This work provides readers with a practical insight into understanding risks and how to manage them for successful project implementation. It highlights deficiencies in current infrastructure development frameworks, particularly relevant in the South East Asian markets, where Governments are relying more and more on PPP type frameworks for infrastructure development. Essential reading for construction success.”
Mark Farmer Author of The Construction Industry Review “Modernise or Die” 2016, U.K.
“I believe we stand at an unprecedented crossroads in the construction industry's evolution driven by a structural and long‐term decline in skills and capability. This is no longer another false dawn driven by periodic discontent. The risks of continuing are now all consuming and include the increasingly destructive consequences of poor risk management and embedded conflict. The burgeoning technology led opportunity we are now presented with as our potential saviour will not be maximised though without embracing fundamentally different organisational, procurement and contractual models that drive process integration & common interest. This book is a very useful reference point using key lessons learned and pointing the way forward.”
Professor Peter Hansford Honorary Professor in the Bartlett School of Construction and Project Management, University College London,
Former Chief Construction Adviser to the UK Government
Charles O'Neil and his contributors tackle the underlying issues in construction head on. This book sets out clear recommendations aimed at achieving tangible change. Building on his previous book, ‘Human Dynamics in Construction Risk Management – the key to success or failure’, O'Neil identifies human behaviour as a key ingredient to project success; this together with ensuring appropriate business models, embracing technology and of course adopting rigorous risk management – all subjects very close to my heart. I commend this book to students of project management, as well as to practitioners at all levels.
William A Marino CEO, Star America Infrastructure Partners, LLC, New York, USA
Chairman, Association for The Improvement of American Infrastructure (AIAI)
Charles O'Neil helps crystallize Public Private Partnerships as an important tool to be used in addressing America's crumbling infrastructure needs. Infrastructure in the U.S. has aged and, in many cases, has passed its useful life. The costs to revive this vital area, while addressing advances in technology, efficiency in process, and life cycle, are well documented by Mr O'Neil. Great work, well written.
Leighton O'Brien Partner, Construction and Infrastructure
Allens Linklaters Lawyers, Sydney, Australia
“O'Neil's book is a comprehensive review of the challenges and successes in the field. It will appeal to all participants in the construction industry as it is both approachable and authoritative.
The book presents a distillation of many years of experience and wisdom into an easily digestible format that utilises case‐studies to reinforce concrete and practical lessons about successful construction projects.
Guest chapters by other notable figures within the industry provide a broad range of perspectives on a variety of topics internationally that gives the text added legitimacy and a global reach.”
Datuk Sundra Rajoo Director Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Past President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, U.K. (2016)
“This book is an exceptional collection of insight and wisdom from various experts across the global construction industry. It provides a 360‐degree overview of the current state of international construction, including impacts of globalization, a detailed analysis of industry and regional trends in construction as well as the challenges faced by various sectors in the industry, making it relevant across the globe. This book is also written in simple and effective language, identifying the key areas of improvement within the industry and offering viable solutions for all stakeholders concerned. The author has also done a remarkable job in structuring the book in such a way that makes it thorough and comprehensive, which is a boon for all of us in the industry. I believe this book will be a useful reference for all stakeholders concerned with navigating the emerging issues and challenges of risk management that plague this industry today”
Ian Rogers Senior Legal Adviser, Arup, U.K.
“This hard‐hitting collection of essays reveals the real problems in the construction industry, identifying not just the symptoms and how they might be treated, but also tackling the underlying causes. People and governance are top of the list and until these are addressed, change will be merely superficial. It is a vitally important contribution to the debate over the future of a key global industry”.
Carol Stark Managing Director, Aon Infrastructure Solutions, Chicago, USA
Global Construction Success provides an insider perspective on the construction industry as well as the PPP industry. The authors simplify the keys to a successful PPP procurement while challenging the industry to evolve. Their insights span the globe, highlighting the challenges a Special Purpose Companies face in implementing fulsome risk management programs when entering new geographies.
Don Ward CEO of Constructing Excellence, U.K
“So many Governments and industry stakeholders around the world are anxious to see construction sector reform for major improvement in delivery. So why doesn't it happen faster? The insights in this book are hugely valuable to policy makers and industry leaders everywhere, with their focus on getting strong leadership and vision for projects, modernising the capability of people culture & behaviours in project teams, and aligning common processes and tools. Perhaps most crucial is the alignment of commercial arrangements throughout the supply chain.”