Insight       05 March 2025

Bridging Sectors For Successful Program Delivery

Successfully delivering major capital and capability programs is key for Australia due to the scale of what needs to be invested and achieved over the next 10 to 20 years. 

While investment scale matters, experience and research show that success hinges more on effective cross-sector collaboration and strategic resource management. 

Patterns to be Mindful of

Premature Risk Transfer

Creating excessive risk premiums and avoidable disputes 
Capability Imbalances

Public organisations in need more substantial "intelligent client" capabilities and private partners require deeper policy context
Misaligned Incentives and Governance

Creation of delivery friction, unclear metrics and information flows 
Resource Management Gaps

Delayed programs consistently have short-term resource planning and subsequent significant capability shortfalls in specialised areas 

Patterns to be Mindful of

Premature Risk Transfer
Creating excessive risk premiums and avoidable disputes 
Capability Imbalances
Public organisations in need more substantial "intelligent client" capabilities and private partners require deeper policy context
Misaligned Incentives and Governance
Creation of delivery friction, unclear metrics and information flows 
Resource Management Gaps
Delayed programs consistently have short-term resource planning and subsequent significant capability shortfalls in specialised areas 

These Approaches can Help

Progressive Risk Allocation

Major programs are achieving risk reduction and associated decrease in contingency costs through staged risk transition 
Collaborative Capability Development

Delivery ‘academies and learn labs’ demonstrate measurable improvements in decision-making speed along with cross-boundary capability development
Integrated Workforce Planning

Programs with sophisticated workforce planning report fewer resource-related delays 
Culture of Genuine Partnership

Mutual respect, shared commitment and joint problem-solving enabled by balanced accountability and equitable risk and reward distribution enhances program effectiveness, social cohesion and knowledge transfer. 
Most importantly? These approaches don't require massive investments. They rely on intentional collaboration and relationship building. 

These Approaches can Help

Progressive Risk Allocation
Major programs are achieving risk reduction and associated decrease in contingency costs through staged risk transition 
Collaborative Capability Development
Delivery ‘academies and learn labs’ demonstrate measurable improvements in decision-making speed along with cross-boundary capability development
Integrated Workforce Planning
Programs with sophisticated workforce planning report fewer resource-related delays 
Culture of Genuine Partnership
Mutual respect, shared commitment and joint problem-solving enabled by balanced accountability and equitable risk and reward distribution enhances program effectiveness, social cohesion and knowledge transfer. 
Most importantly? These approaches don't require massive investments. They rely on intentional collaboration and relationship building. 

Further Reading