First in series: Cambridge launches report on improving construction productivity

A new report aimed at transforming productivity in the construction sector has been released today by the University of Cambridge, marking the first publication in a series focused on improving performance and value across major infrastructure projects in the UK.

Titled Improving Construction Productivity, the report draws on insights from a high-level Policy Workshop organised by the Laing O’Rourke Centre for Construction Engineering and Technology in partnership with the Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP) at the University of Cambridge. The event, held under the Chatham House Rule, brought together senior figures from government, academia, and industry to explore actionable strategies for raising productivity across public sector construction programs—including hospitals, schools, prisons, and transportation infrastructure.

This workshop was the first in a two-part series designed to examine and replicate successful infrastructure projects. It provided a rare platform for cross-departmental dialogue, showcasing best practices and fostering collaboration between key stakeholders involved in the planning and delivery of construction programmes.

Central to the discussions were the roles of data, regulation, and collaborative procurement approaches in driving improved outcomes. Presentations highlighted cutting-edge research from Cambridge academics and explored emerging productivity metrics that could be used to measure and enhance project performance across the sector.

Key themes included:

• The critical importance of collecting and sharing consistent data to support decision-making and inform policy.

• How collaborative procurement and contracting methods can increase value and efficiency.

• The urgent need to address regulatory challenges and improve safety and quality standards at pace.

Participants tackled several fundamental questions, such as identifying the root causes of success or failure in public construction projects, assessing the potential for productivity gains, and defining the types of data necessary for policy-led improvements.

The report Improving Construction Productivity signals a timely and strategic push toward a more efficient, sustainable, and socially valuable construction sector, with Cambridge at the forefront of research-informed policy development.

Read the report.