The Centre for Construction Project Organising launched with the unveiling of a new book

BSSC is pleased to announce the launch of a new research centre - The Centre for Construction Project Organising (CCPO) and a new book – Construction Project Organising. 

The launch took place on 12 June 2023 and was attended by clients, consultants, contractors, professional bodies representatives and academics. The event started with an introduction from BSSC Prof. Jacqui Glass, Chair of CCPO Advisory Board, on the aim of the launch. Dr Simon Addyman, Director of CCPO, then introduced the centre’s overview, followed by a presentation on problems in theory and practice in construction project organising that were set out in the new book.  

The Centre for Construction Project Organising (CCPO) generates insightful scientific research and practical guidance on the organisation and management of construction projects. CCPO sees construction project organising as a process that is always incomplete and in the making. While the centre's unit of observation is the construction project, CCPO sees it as inextricably entangled in a wider transactional and relational network of organisations and individuals involved in construction project organising.  

That is why the centre seeks to understand this phenomenon at multiple levels – all the way from the institutional to the individual. The work of CCPO will focus on ‘how’ construction project organisations and their participants ‘re-create patterns of action’ to accomplish intentional change and create value. With that viewpoint, CCPO is looking for new collaborators to help grow a shared understanding of how construction project organisations become capable of delivering value, through (un)intentional change.  

Dr Simon Addyman said: “It was a real pleasure to launch the research centre, alongside the book that I co-edited with Hedley Smyth. There was a great turnout, with participants spread across different disciplines. We finished the day with a roundtable discussion on the purpose and objectives for a new research innovation network. It was a lively discussion, and we got some fantastic feedback to build on.” 

Prof. Jacqui Glass said: “This was a super event and elicited some very helpful ideas and comments from participants. It is a sign of the quality and depth of what the Centre sets out to achieve that is driving this remarkable level of interest and energy from industry and academics alike. I am optimistic about the research and impact that will emerge from the Centre in the years to come.”