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CONTENTS

1. ECI News
2. ECI Events - register online below
3. ECI Master Classes- register online below
4. Other Events/News - register online below
5. Publications - order online

Launch of the new handbook “Managing People in Construction Projects”
This latest ECI handbook was launched on 13 October at Alstec Ltd, Leicester, UK. It is the result of a collaboration between researchers at Loughborough, Leicester and Glasgow Caledonian Universities and a group of ECI Members combining clients such as Astra Zeneca Engineering and major contractors such as Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd.

The handbook is invaluable for all managers and team leaders of construction projects as it develops a “tool box” of techniques for meeting specific project performance criteria. These techniques are derived from research which identifies the nature, context and effectiveness of current levels of empowerment, develops benchmarking methodology for teamwork and empowerment, and identifies teamwork and empowerment concepts that are relevant to the construction sector.

Identified within the handbook are three new Value Enhancing Practices to guide the busy project manager in Leading Projects, Achieving Project Team Performance and Effective Supply Chain Engagement. When these and other good practices identified in the handbook are applied, the value of construction projects will be enhanced.

Copies can now be purchased from ECI, tel: +44 (0)1509 223526 or email: eci@lboro.ac.uk, price £60 (members £40).

ECI Whole Life Value Toolkit gains Innovation Award
The European Construction Institute’s (ECI) Whole Life Value Toolkit, as piloted by Faithful and Gould, was awarded Highly Commended in the British Institute of Facilities Management’s Award for Innovation, presented at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London on 10 October. Faithful and Gould have been leading the ECI Task Force on Whole Life Value in which the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RCIS), the Construction Industry Council and Constructing Excellence are also partners.

The final was a closely-fought contest between three nominations. It was eventually won by Glaxo Smith Kline, but the competition was so close that both runners-up were awarded Highly Commended.

The Whole Life Value Toolkit provides an effective and relatively simple tool to measure and evaluate alternative whole life options using a “balanced scorecard” approach. It is suitable for all sectors of industry and commerce and will improve the effectiveness of investment decision-making as well as helping to reduce risk and uncertainty. It builds on, rather than replaces, existing life-cycle costing processes and value management tools and techniques. It is currently in development as a published web-enabled tool and handbook and publication is planned for 2006.

ACTIVE Awards 2006
Following last year’s successful project management competition, the competition will run again in 2006.

Nominations are open to all ECI current member companies, including associate members, or to projects in which ECI members have had a significant involvement.

Entrants will be judged on the extent of application of ECI and ACTIVE Value Enhancing Practices (VEPs) as well as actual achieved performance.

Up to four awards will be made for projects which have been completed during the past year. The closing date for entries, which must be on an official entry form is 31 January 2006. Awards will be presented to the winners at the ECI Annual Conference in Delft, March 23 and 24 2006.

For further details about the ECI and ACTIVE VEPs, can be obtained from the ECI office by tel: +44 (0)1509 223526 or email: eci@lboro.ac.uk. Entry forms for the ACTIVE awards will be available soon.

News from ECI Italy
At the recent meeting of the joint Programme Committee with the Associazione Nazionale di Impiantistica Industriale (ANIMP), it was decided to consider running a one-day conference on a subject of interest to the industry, and also an open panel discussion on the integration of construction activity in Project Management. These proposals will be developed further at their next meeting in November

For further details about the ECI and ACTIVE VEPs, can be obtained from the ECI office by tel: +44 (0)1509 223526 or email: eci@lboro.ac.uk. Entry forms for the ACTIVE awards will be available soon.

Autumn workshop day for ECI members and Friends (open to all)
preceded by the ECI Board of Advisors (BoA) meeting (ECI members only)
Date: Thursday 17 November
Venue: Sheraton Heathrow Hotel, London Heathrow, UK
Timings: 10.30 - 16.30

The programme will include a workshop on Construction Futures – The Big Ideas

The workshop will be identifying and investigating the issues and drivers which are important to, and will impact upon, you and your organisation over the next 5 to 10 years. The market place is changing increasingly rapidly with new threats and opportunities such as climate change, IT, globalisation, political unrest and sustainability all vying for our attention and impacting on the way in which we conduct our business. This workshop will provide a platform for identifying which of these issues are important for yourselves, your clients and for your competitors. Only by recognising and studying these issues can we identify which are the most important for ourselves and for our organisations, and consequently be best prepared for the future.

This workshop will contribute to a ground-breaking collaborative research project between Loughborough, Reading and Salford Innovative Manufacturing Research Centres (IMRCs) funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

As well as another workshop on Multicultural Team-Working, there will be presentations on Heathrow’s Terminal 5, and Lean Construction, plus a chance to contribute to a discussion of ECI’s future programme.

Please see attached flyer for further details, including registration information.

ECI ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2006
Date: 23 & 24 March 2006
Venue: Aula Conference Centre, Technical University of Delft, Netherlands
Theme: Global Construction 10 years on

A range of expert speakers will address the key issues, such as:

• the drivers for change in the industry 
• strategies for survival and growth
• safety, health and environment issues that will affect the industry's evolution
• evolving markets 
• technological progress 
• the new reality of multi-cultural working and distributed 'virtual' teams
• other industries’ response to the challenges of momentous
  change

Further details of the programme and how to apply will be available soon.

To register for any of the events listed above or for further information, please contact Anu Khandelwal at the ECI office on +44 (0)1509 228797 or visit the ECI website for further details.

UK MASTER CLASSES

MC19 Project Development and Definition
It is clear that quality of project development and definition is a key factor in determining project outcome and that it is in the development phase that the majority of the key strategy decisions are (or should be) taken. This masterclass will propose methodologies for optimal development of projects, and to encourage cross-fertilisation of ideas and experience of those present.

Date: Thursday 10th November
Time: 10.00 - 17.00
Venue: The Parkmore Hotel, Stockton-on-Tees
Course Tutor: Chris Fox

For further information and to register for the above masterclass please contact Anu Khandelwal at the ECI office on +44 (0) 1509 228797 or visit the ECI website for a full list of the topics and venues for 2005

European Institute for Industrial Leadership November workshops:

Institutions, Professions and Organisations - Diversity in Business
Date: 8th - 10th November
http://www.eiil.net/mambo/images/stories/Course%20Details/coursedetailsmce2.pdf
This second workshop in the Leading Business in the Multi-cultural Environment Module, will look at the influence of national institutions on business practices in different cultures throughout Europe.

Competitive Manufacturing in Europe
Date: 14th - 16th November
http://www.eiil.net/mambo/images/stories/Course%20Details/coursedetailslpg3.pdf
This workshop will look at an often overlooked strategy for leading profitable growth: releasing the capabilities of the 'hidden plant'.

Setting Aims for Strategy Development
Date: 22nd - 24th November
http://www.eiil.net/mambo/images/stories/Course%20Details/coursedetailshpl0and3.pdf
A three-day workshop where the inductive skill-building theme of the High Performance Leader Module is applied to strategy setting. Participants will practice producing networks of aims that recognise the needs of all stakeholders and, from these, develop a strategy to meet the challenge.

Managing Corporate Reputation
Date: 29th - 30th November
http://www.eiil.net/mambo/images/stories/Course%20Details/CourseDetailsSUS2.pdf
This workshop will show how quickly reputations can be destroyed and what has to be done by the future Leader of the Sustainable company to ensure continued investment and market favourability.

All workshops will be held at the European Institute for Industrial Leadership, Chateau Latour de Freins. Tha chateau is situated in the forest surroundings of Uccle, about 20 mins from the centre of Brussels. For more information please visit www.eiil.net or to register for any of the above events please contact secretariat@eiil.net

Engineering Project Management Forum 10 - Current Project Management issues
It will cover a selection of very current project management topics: risk, governance, earned value, people and programme management. The unusual item this time is Hovercraft, celebrating 50 years, selected especially for our Mechanical hosts.  Can EPMF help it back to prominence?

Date: Thursday 8 December 2005
Timings: 9:00 - 16.45
Venue: Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 1 Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London SW11 9JJ

For further information and to register for this event please contact Steve Wake or contact the EPMF office by telephone +44 (0)208 886 5594.

NEW PUBLICATIONS OUT NOW

Managing people in Construction Projects (2005)
ISBN 1 873844 61 1

This major new ECI publication will introduce a suite of practical techniques to underpin effective project teamwork, leadership and empowerment strategies. Essential for all those involved with managing teams.

This publication is now available to purchase from the ECI office at £40.00 to members and £60.00 to non-members.

Project Development and Definition Handbook (2005)
ISBN 1 873844 61 1

Effective project definition is a cornerstone of good practice. Engineering and construction projects are important components of business investment processes. Unless projects are properly defined, their chances of success are slim, often posing a significant risk to the overall business.

This ECI manual, written by Chris Fox, will be an essential tool for clients, contractors, advisers and suppliers.

This publication is now available to purchase from the ECI office at £40.00 to members and £60.00 to non-members.

ECI Pricing System for Piping Works - Version 2 (2005)
ISBN 1 873844 60 3

Since the initial publication in 2002, a number of owners, EPC contractors and construction contractors in our industry have applied the ECI Pricing System for Piping Works successfully on different types of project at various locations. Their contribution in providing comments and suggested improvements is highly appreciated and enabled the ECI Benelux Subcontracting Task Force to prepare this 'Revision 2005' of the system. In addition, a number of modifications were required to better support further automation of the execution work processes that interface with the system.

The system provides a structured approach designed to reduce bidding costs for owners and contractors alike, it includes a spreadsheet with multipliers on a CD-ROM, not a ready-made software package, but simple enough to integrate into any company's existing software.

This publication is now available to purchase from the ECI office at £40.00 to members and £60.00 to non-members.

A full list of publications available to purchase from ECI can be found on the publications page of the ECI website or contact Anu Khandelwal at the ECI office.

To learn more about the European Construction Institute (ECI), its members and work, please visit
the ECI website: http://www.eci-online.org/ or contact the ECI office on tel: +44 (0)1509 223526.