Programme advisory and management services
Delivering value to programmes and projects
We help our clients bridge the gap between strategy and execution, providing the methods, frameworks and tools needed to appraise, plan and effectively execute complex projects.
Managing portfolios, programmes and projects within increasingly complex environments demands an integrated, efficient and flexible management approach to prevent increased risks to budgets and delivery timescales.
Our programme advisory and management consultants have experience working with clients on some of the world’s most complex delivery programmes in the built environment, from the Museum of the Future to Louvre Abu Dhabi. They help navigate the increasing challenges our clients face, providing the methods, frameworks, and tools needed for success.
We devote time to listen and understand the ambition and challenges of our clients; this shapes our ability to develop effective strategies and plans. We offer a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together skills, expertise and experience in a way that breaks down silos and enables positive outcomes.
This is part of our adaptive management mindset to manage uncertainty, through robust engagement and coordination with stakeholders and suppliers. With a problem-solving attitude, we adopt a circular approach that allows for more flexibility and adaptability in making changes, focusing on risk mitigation and prioritising enhanced stakeholder relationships.
We partner with clients on three scales: strategic, programme and project levels.
Support at every level
Strategic level
We advise and support clients on strategies and plans for their portfolios and programmes. This includes design and governance, delivery models, execution strategies, and roadmaps that can support decision-making, secure investment, and achieve readiness for execution.
Programme level
We set up, manage, and deliver results on behalf of our clients. Our programme management expertise helps establish the right capabilities, tools, processes, and systems needed to improve performance, drive organisational change, navigate risks, and realise benefits.
Project level
We manage projects from start to finish: from preparation and briefing to construction and use. Regardless of scale and complexity, we use our multidisciplinary approach, content knowledge and technical experience to define and de-risk your projects. This provides control, governance and transparency from inception to completion.
Areas of expertise
Programme advisory
Programme advisory focuses on the strategic outcomes and business alignment that we know our clients want. We will improve your decision making, outcomes and performance, while removing ambiguity and ensuring strategic alignment.
We know the importance of delivering required outcomes within a set timeframe and budget. So we focus on the critical area of organisational design and governance, developing an optimal way of structuring and managing a portfolio, programme or project.
Programme management
The early stages of programme set-up are critical. We provide the right structure, resources, tools, techniques and processes from the outset.
Once involved, our services are wide ranging across programme management. From both stakeholder and information management, to knowledge transfer, to planning and reporting, our experts are with you at all stages. We ensure alignment between scope, cost and time, for ultimate positive delivery outcomes.
PPP technical advisory
We know there are many complex technical challenges in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) projects, with numerous stakeholders. Our multidisciplinary expertise navigates and simplifies these challenges for our clients.
By combining local market knowledge with international best practices, and integrating advanced engineering practices, sustainable design principles and innovative technological solutions, we know that each PPP project we work on is strategically sound and designed for success.
Development and project management
What specialist services does your project need? How can you maintain design flexibility and adaptability until the last moment?
We plan, manage and deliver designs and engineering services by providing critical guidance on the complex technical issues you may face and managing the development of briefs, scope and requirements. We engage early on with key stakeholders to capture the ideas and requirements that will inform the final design concept.
Constructability and implementation planning
How can a masterplan, programme or project be effectively delivered and implemented? We start by benchmarking against similar projects, assessing different delivery options, analysing key metrics, and developing a realistic timeline and budget.
We identify and understand constraints and technical risks, hidden costs, resource and infrastructure requirements. Examples of our work include the Jeddah Opera House and King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD).
Our services include:
- Commercial, procurement and supply chain
- Delivery models
- Design and engineering management
- Execution strategies and roadmap delivery
- Information management
- Knowledge transfer
- Organisational design and governance
- Planning, control and reporting
- Programme set up
- Project/delivery management
- Stakeholder management
- Strategic outcomes and business alignment
Project highlights
RCRC Operational Transformation
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City plays an integral role in the regulation and economic development of the city of Riyadh.
Buro Happold was engaged by the RCRC “Programs & Projects Sector” team to support in assessing the current state and transforming the sector’s capabilities of adapting to the everchanging landscape and to enhance its planning and delivery capabilities to meet Riyadh’s development needs.
The scope of our work consisted of two key streams: organisational transformation and capability building and programme and project management support. We also developed an implementation roadmap to help support the successful adoption of the new strategy.
King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD)
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) is a large mixed-use development and the commercial heart of Riyadh. This new business district has redefined the Saudi capital’s skyline and includes commercial, residential, retail, entertainment and education facilities.
Buro Happold was appointed to provide implementation planning and procurement expertise with the production of a study to identify the most efficient implementation approach, with a particular focus on finding solutions that would help to speed up the completion of key assets.
Museum of the Future
Dubai, UAE
The Museum of the Future is an unconventional, innovative cultural project in Dubai, UAE. Buro Happold engineers developed bespoke in-house optimisation routines to model and analyse numerous options for the structure to achieve the Museum of the Future’s now iconic torus shape.
This was a complex project that required careful balancing of factors such as the shape of the design, the client’s requirement to attain LEED Platinum status and necessity to embrace BIM principles.
Louvre Abu Dhabi, UAE
Abu Dhabi, UAE
A multidisciplinary team evaluated a number of concepts to bring elements of water into the 58,000m2 art and exhibition centre in Abu Dhabi.
Our experts provided specialist advice on the construction of tidal pools, to ensure tidal flow and water quality did not cause damage or risk of flooding. Safety and security measures were implemented by the design of solutions that used offshore breakwaters to attenuate the power of the waves lapping into the port and also to serve as a vessel security barrier.
The Jeddah Opera House
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Jeddah Opera House will be the first opera house in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The venue is a response to the city’s ambition to offer a landmark performing arts centre. The 25,000m2 (GFA) building will feature three performance spaces – the main 1,500-seat Lyric Theatre, a mid-scale theatre space of 750 seats, and a 150-seat rehearsal hall.
Buro Happold’s multidisciplinary team of experts worked collaboratively to deliver a world-leading venue that will be a landmark for the city for generations. Our constructability experts developed an implementation strategy that would result in the project being built in a fast, efficient, sustainable, safe and cost-effective way without sacrificing the quality of the final product.
