Going live on March 7, the digital launch will be marked by a ‘what clients want/need’ panel discussion at Futurebuild, London.

Central to the resources for clients is a new best practice guide for professional clients: Leading Projects in the Built Environment, which is available to download free of charge.

Aimed at those who are new to the process, the new Client Guide is designed to help professional clients get the building blocks right from the start. It explains how projects are generally structured and managed, and what to look out for along the way. Drawing on CIOB members’ experience and expertise, it highlights the things clients can do to benefit their project. Although it is aimed primarily at clients running larger projects/programmes, the principles apply to all clients regardless of project size.

Alongside the new Client Guide, the initial resources include online training courses and signposting to third-party support, as well as a set of top tips FAQs for homeowners. Over time, the CIOB envisages a global, one stop shop for all those in need of advice on how to make their construction project a success. There will be best practice case studies and knowledge sharing podcasts and resources available for contractors, who themselves become clients when they subcontract work.

Linda Stevens, head of client development at CIOB, said: “Being a client is not easy. Regardless of the type of project, they are responsible for co-ordinating a complex web of resources, in some cases relying on many specialist consultants. Our aim is to capture and share learnings to encourage greater collaboration and good decision making, highlight known pitfalls and help minimise waste. Ultimately, we want to help clients achieve better project outcomes for them, the environment and society at large.”

Jon Enever, chief client officer at Gleeds, and a member of the CIOB’s Client Steering Group, said: “It’s not uncommon for clients, particularly for end user clients, to have no training and little or no prior experience of the construction process. For example, a headteacher overseeing the building of new classroom block, a medical practice manager commissioning an extension to new waiting room, a voluntary group leading on the renovation of a community centre and, of course, an individual planning a loft conversion or a kitchen extension at home.

“In many cases the client will be trying to co-ordinate their project alongside their day jobs, so having support and guidance from a trusted body, such as CIOB, which can potentially highlight best practice, should ultimately help them achieve a quality outcome, better value for their investment and peace of mind during the process.”

The official launch of the new resources for clients, including the new Client Guide for professional clients, will be marked by the CIOB’s CEO, Caroline Gumble, on March 7 at Futurebuild, London, where a panel of expert clients will discuss what clients want from their construction teams and why they don’t always get it. Chaired by Daphne Thissen from Thissen Consulting, the panel will comprise:

• Jennifer Makkreel, deputy head of capital projects, University of Oxford
• Neil Pennell, head of design, innovation and property solutions, Land Securities
• David Haimes, former programme director, Highways Agency
• Jamie Strathearn, head of programme, cost, procurement, pre-construction, Marks & Spencer.