About — Project X

About Project X

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Our Journey

Project X was conceived within the Portfolio Insight Team at the IPA as a vehicle to engage contemporary research in project and programme with the ‘real-world’ issues that are manifest across the Government’s Major Project Portfolio (GMPP). Project X is ambitious, it seeks to promote and support methodologically rigorous research that is firmly grounded in clear pathways to impact – with an ultimate ambition of delivering savings for the Treasury and enhancing project management capability across government departments.

Project X is the brainchild of Terri Harrington from the IPA and has been developed with support from Academia, Industry, Government and Consultancies.

It is now made up of 6 themes, with at least one lead on each theme. These are:

Terri Harrington

Infrastructure and Projects Authority

Alexander Budzier

SAID Business School

Professor Michael Lewis

University of Bath

Professor Andrew Edkins

University College London

Professor Terry Williams

University of Hull

Professor Paolo Quattrone

University of Edinburgh

Professor Michael Bourne

Cranfield University

Professor Tim Brady

University of Brighton

Professor Andrew Davies

University College London

Professor Richard Kirkham

University of Manchester

Professor Paul Nightingale

University of Sussex

Alexander Budzier, Said Business School
Michael Lewis, University of Bath
Andrew Edkins, University College London
Terry Williams, University of Hull
Paolo Quattrone, University of Edinburgh
Michael Bourne, Cranfield University
Tim Brady, University of Brighton
Andrew Davies, University College London
Richard Kirkham, University of Manchester
Paul Nightingale, University of Sussex

Our strategy

Project X will enhance the capability and reputation of the UK government in the execution of major programmes and projects through the promotion of world-class research and evidence based thinking. Our strategy seeks to make a significant contribution to the achievement of an ‘excellent approach to project and programme management.’ To achieve this we will:-

create and support a research environment that influences our key stakeholders including national government, policy makers, research councils and professional bodies
use transparent, rigorous and fair approaches to the identification, selection and execution of research projects
work in unison with our stakeholders to strengthen the capability and reputation of the UK Government in major programme and project delivery
maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity underpinned by a culture of support for the development of researchers and IPA staff
demonstrate the highest standards of data security and data management

Our Vision

Project X seeks to generate unique insights into the performance of major projects and programmes in Government, insights that can be used to drive continuous improvement in performance and delivery confidence.

Our Mission

Project X will engage the civil service with academia, external project professionals and other stakeholders to inform, guide and inspire an excellent approach to programme and project delivery through effective use of the insights generated.