News Articles

2008 - Value Management in N. Ireland

2007 - International Value Management

2007 - Home Happening - exemplar of value management practice

2007 - Kintry Housing Partnership - OGC publish case study

2007 - Home Happening wins UK award  - Municipal Journal

2006 - Value Management - 2007 Training Programme Announced

2006 - Home Happening Finalist in APSE Awards 2006

2006 - Lean in Practice - IVM and Quality Scotland

2006 - Modern Methods to Improve your Business

2006 - Tailor KPI's to Improve Results

2006 - Community Matters

2005 - National Home Improvement Council Award
 
 
March 2008  -  Queens University Belfast

Michael Graham is working with Queens University Belfast.  Value Management training courses are now available in N. Ireland.  

June 2007  -  International Value Management

Michael Graham is now registered as a Certified Value Specialist by the Certification Board of SAVE International. Michael Graham Consultancy has committed to support this professional qualification scheme as part of an international initiative to explore compatibility between European and North American value management systems.

Michael Graham CVS PVM TVM said "International customers demand international expertise. The qualifications Professional in Value Management (PVM) and Trainer in Value Management (TVM) are now well established across Europe with many organisations seeing that these standards of competence are driving good performance improvement.  We welcome the efforts of all those who are striving to develop a framework for wider international recognition of professional qualifications in value management including the North American Qualification, Certified Value Specialist (CVS).  We will continue to support these international initiatives as part of our commitment to faciltate working across boundaries between the national value systems and to deliver better service to customers." 

For further details on international qualifications please contact Michael Graham or Institute of Value Management.  

 May 2007  -  Value Management for Home Happening

Home Happening in UK Office of Government Commerce publication as exemplar of value management practice.

OGC publish exemplar case studies ... first-class, wholelife value-for-money programmes and projects that ultimately lead to better public services.   

Michael Graham said ... "It is the performance achieved by the Home Happening team through open, honest and commited personal attitudes toward partnering and value management which show just how well people can work together. We really appreciate the encouragement from our social housing Clients to nominate their projects to OGC  for the good practice in value management publication. These case studies covering new build, refurbishment and maintenance, give a real demonstration of just how much can be achieved from professional value management input and we are delighted to be selected as an illustration of value management practice drawn from USA and UK. With quoted benefits exceeding cost of investment by a factor of ten or more there is no doubt that value management is a vital component for successful management of any project.

Michael Graham Consultancy designed and facilitated the value management programmes on two of the seven good practice examplars published by The Office of Government Commerce (OGC)."   

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The Office of Government Commerce (OGC)  joined with APM Group Ltd and the Institute of Value Management to produce a series of case studies which demonstrate how applying VM to public sector construction projects can result in first-class, wholelife value-for-money programmes and projects that ultimately lead to better public services. OGC’s Achieving Excellence in Construction initiative advocates the application of VM to construction projects.  
 Full details on OGC site  [http://www.ogc.gov.uk/documents/CP0152ValueManagementInConstruction.pdf]   

The case study focuses on the VM approach adopted on each project and detail the key success factors, achievements and lessons learned. Issues addressed include:

•  leadership and decision-making
•  effective team working
•  performance improvement (pre and post construction)
•  innovation
•  defect reduction.

The case study describes how value management for Home Happening  enabled high customer satisfaction, improved partnering performance and contributed to a doubling of productivity, securing a £1.75M cash saving and increasing profits in the supply chain.

 

 May 2007  Value Management for Kintry Housing Partnership

OGC publish exemplar case studies ... first-class, wholelife value-for-money programmes and projects that ultimately lead to better public services.   

Michael Graham said ... "It is the performance achieved by our Clients' teams through open, honest and commited personal attitudes toward partnering and value management which show just how well people can work together. We really appreciate the encouragement from our social housing Clients to nominate their projects to OGC  for the good practice in value management publication. These case studies covering new build, refurbishment and maintenance, give a real demonstration of just how much can be achieved from professional value management input and we are delighted to be selected as an illustration of value management practice drawn from USA and UK. With quoted benefits exceeding cost of investment by a factor of ten or more there is no doubt that value management is a vital component for successful management of any project.

Michael Graham Consultancy designed and facilitated the value management programmes on two of the seven good practice examplars published by The Office of Government Commerce (OGC)."     

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The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has joined with APM Group Ltd and the Institute of Value Management to produce a series of case studies which demonstrate how applying VM to public sector construction projects can result in first-class, wholelife value-for-money programmes and projects that ultimately lead to better public services. OGC’s Achieving Excellence in Construction initiative advocates the application of VM to construction projects.  

The case study focuses on the VM approach adopted on each project and detail the key success factors, achievements and lessons learned. Issues addressed include:

•  leadership and decision-making
•  effective team working
•  performance improvement (pre and post construction)
•  innovation
•  defect reduction.

Value management for Kintry Housing Partnership has improved partnering performance delivering a 7% cash saving and increased profits in the supply chain.

The Kintry Housing Partnership project was launched in 2000 to deliver 400 new homes for rent or sale. The project was part of the regeneration strategy for the Craigmillar area of Edinburgh and was funded by Communities Scotland.  

It was unusual for two reasons:

•  Castle Rock Edinvar acted as the client, on behalf of itself and three other housing associations (Canmore, Edinvar and Link)
•  the project was taken forward in full consultation with the local community.

One of the phases in the project was for the construction of 114 houses. A tender was negotiated and agreed at £7.5m, which was in line with pricing levels on earlier phases. However, Kintry and Communities Scotland wanted to ensure this contract benefited from learning through partnership working, rather than just market pricing.

A structured framework of VM was introduced to stimulate improvement. The resulting stepchange in performance enabled Communities Scotland to confirm an extension to the housing programme. 

Full details on OGC site  [http://www.ogc.gov.uk/documents/CP0152ValueManagementInConstruction.pdf]   

This case study illustrates how VM was used to improve partnering performance which resulted in a saving of £500,000 for the Client.

March 2007

UK Award - Home Happening wins 'commendation' in Municipal Journal 2007 Achievement Awards  . 

HomeHappening has won a national commendation from the UK panel of judges in the Municipal Journal 2007 Achievement Awards.  And in this year’s awards, South Lanarkshire Council was the only local Scottish local authority to be commended by the judges. 

This is the third time HomeHappening has been recognised at national level in as many years in prestigious public sector and industry award competitions. The ‘tally’ of HomeHappening awards now comprises;

• 2005; Commendation for ‘Outstanding Performance’ – National Home Improvement Council

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• 2006: UK finalist in the Association of Public Sector Excellence Awards

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• 2007: ‘Commended’ in Municipal Journal Achievement Awards (Public Private Partnership Achievement of the Year)
  

The HomeHappening housing improvement programme is a partnership between South Lanarkshire Council (Housing and Technical Resources) and private sector companies who comprise;

-          CCG Ltd

-          The Symphony Group plc, and

-          Jewson Graham

Michael Graham Consultancy is Partnering Advisor
 
The homes of more than 11,000 tenants across South Lanarkshire have now been improved by fitting new kitchens and bathrooms, alongside external fabric upgrades and environmental improvement projects.

Jim Hayton, Executive Director of Housing and Technical Resources, said; “Delivering a programme of this size requires us all to work together and I’m delighted the HomeHappening public-private partnership has been recognised once again at a national level, and my thanks go to everyone involved – this is a marvellous achievement.”

29 March 2007

Nov 2006

Value Management Training Programme announced

The open training programme for value management practitioners in 2007 will commence with a three day 'Foundation' course 19th - 21st March 2007.  The venue is Heriot Watt University.  Download the programme and return your booking by snail mail please :-) or contact us by e-mail. 
 

Sep 2006

HomeHappening UK Finalists Best Internal Service Team of the Year 

HomeHappening, Scotland's largest council house improvement programme, is among the UK Finalists in APSE 2006 Best Internal Service Team of the Year for Construction and Building Services Category

Jim Hayton, Executive Director of Housing & Technical Resources, South Lanarkshire Council said: "The nominations are very welcome recognition of the creativity, hard work and commitment to customer service by the council and whether we ultimately win the final UK accolades or not, we remain committed to putting our customers first."

A spokesman for the Association of Public Sector Excellence, added: "Once again, this year's awards have attracted more than 500 submissions with more than 200 organisations taking part from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. 

"Only four finalists have been short-listed in each category and we would like to take this early opportunity to commend the council for reaching the UK finals of this year's awards against such impressive competition."

Michael Graham Consultancy is Partnering Advisor (PPC2000) for the HomeHappening team and may be contacted on 01786 463165

Sep 2006
Lean in Practice - IVM / Quality Scotland Seminar

Lean showcase in Stirling 5th Sep.  - Mike Graham chairs industry conference session to examine implementation and sustainability of Lean Management Programmes - speakers from manufacturing, construction and finance sectors. To understand how Lean makes a difference in business contact Mike Graham for details of the conference - call 01786 463165 or send an e-mail. 
 

June 2006
CIOB Conference  Modern Methods to Improve your Business

Value Management Delivers Results - Mike Graham speaks at CIOB Scottish Conference - 1st June.  Copy of briefing paper available on request - call 01786 463165 or send an e-mail. 
 

Feb 2006
Tailor KPI's to Improve Results 

Mike Graham writes in Contract Journal– 8th Feb 2006 

In reference to KPIs lets not get so hung up on measures that we forget communication.  There’s an ongoing challenge to run an effective and efficient performance management system in any business or long terms contract or partnering relationship. Tim Wood’s editorial comment ‘Choose what you use’, Contract Journal, 26th Jan 2006, is spot on.  It is about choosing the relevant KPIs for your organisation and tailoring these to suit so that you and your team improve customer satisfaction and business results.

To make a choice people need to be aware of what’s on offer.  I’m all for refinement to improve the industry KPI system but let’s make sure people understand the core message first.

Does a quarter of the industry really set out to be lower quartile performers or is that just what happens when you are not aware of or do not take an interest in KPIs?

Jan 2006
Community Matters

Mike Graham was elected Chair of the Stirling Assembly Executive Committee on 28th January 2006. 
 
 

Nov 2005 
National Home Improvement Council Outstanding Achievement Award

Cambusbarron based management consultancy, Michael Graham Consultancy, is the Partnering Advisor for the award winning Home Happening Programme. 

Home Happening is the five-year, £144 million housing investment programme designed to improve the quality of life for 25,000 tenants and local communities throughout South Lanarkshire.   The National Home Improvement Council Certificate of Merit was awarded to South Lanarkshire for ‘outstanding achievement in encouraging home improvement during the last year’ at a ceremony attended by more than 200 delegates from local authorities and housing associations across the UK. 

The award was presented by the Rt. Hon. Nick Raynsford – a former Minister for Housing - at the Gladstone Library venue for the ceremony, hosted by Lord Brooke, President of the National Home Improvement Council. Councillor Alan Dick, MBE, Chair of the Housing and Technical Resources Committee, and Councillor Alex McInnes, Depute, collected the award on behalf of South Lanarkshire.

Michael Graham, Partner of Michael Graham Consultancy said ... " This is great news for the Home Happening team.  We’re delighted that this achievement by Home Happening - the only National Home Improvement Council winner from Scotland this year – has been recognised by such a prestigious panel of independent experts.  Our core team of two, sometimes up to five consultants has been giving independent advice and support for the Home Happening team to facilitate Best Value and improve customer satisfaction, tackling business change, procurement of external partners, contract documentation, and operational support to develop effective supply chain partnerships.  This achievement shows how well a multi-party partnership framework can perform.  Standard forms of contract like PPC2000 are a good starting point for effective partnerships but it really takes the personal effort of individuals to win awards." 

The National Home Improvement Council acts as a catalyst for public sector housing bodies to stimulate modernisation of the existing housing stock. It represents the most important body of companies and organisations working in the home improvement sector who earnestly believe in higher standards of materials and workmanship, backing this with codes of practice, guarantees and warranties.

Michael Graham Consultancy operates a network of independent consultants across the UK, working with Clients in public and private sectors to improve performance through effective value management, risk management and project management.  www.ukvaluemanagement.co.uk .  Mike Graham may be contacted on 01786 463165. 
 

Community Planning:
Michael Graham served as a member of the Scottish Executive Community Planning Implementation Group for 2003 / 2004 in his capacity as Community Councillor for Cambusbarron, Stirling. Official press release. If you have any views on Community Planning which you wish to share or if you are in a position to promote grass roots discussion of Community Planning please contact Michael Graham on 01786 463165. 
 

UK Value Management will help you achieve Best Value, 

 
• Maximise Performance, 
• Personalise Customer Service and 
• Deliver Continuous Improvement in 
• Value, Quality, Creativity and Innovation.