Infrastructure outcomes: what new project operational expenditure reveals as missing

This research responds to issues identified with the forecasting of operational expenditure by providing an in-depth analysis of a multi-modal transportation programme from New Zealand. This study shows some general issues likely to be of relevance to a wider infrastructure practice. It also indicates that management tools and processes can inadvertently result in budgetary and operational omissions. Significantly, these omissions can include the very service, societal and environmental requirements on which the programme was predicated, as well as missing provisions for long-term maintenance of major assets such as bridges and other structures. A more holistic model is therefore proposed to support a reorienting of practice towards an integrated whole-system approach.