Criticality of intelligent clients in the infrastructure sector Available to Purchase

Intelligence in the form of skills that depend on tacit and explicit knowledge gained through formal and informal learning assists in informed decision-making, which is necessary for project execution. However, literature related to project failures attributes poor performance in construction to the level of skills of project stakeholders. The central issue here is the seemingly inadequate technical and management skills domiciled in public works departments of developing countries. In fact, anecdotal evidence suggests that this inadequacy marginalises the realisation of infrastructure development in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, using South Africa as an example, the paper reports on the consequences associated with skills inadequacies and future skills requirements. The report is therefore based on an extensive review of related literature, and an empirical study undertaken in South Africa. The research findings indicate that skills shortages in public sector departments may be responsible for a range of project failings such as unnecessary delays in contract award after tender submission, which in turn hamper project performance. Therefore, the study suggests that in order to deliver future infrastructure projects adequately, attention should be given to the development of management, project management and technical skills.