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Willmott Dixon saves £1.1m a year by ‘breaking taboo’ of data sharing
Justin Stanton Editor, CM Digital
Image courtesy of Willmott Dixon
Willmott Dixon is saving £1.1m a year after adopting the MiPerformance platform from MiProject Solutions to share key data with clients, effectively breaking the taboo that some contractors fear.
Willmott Dixon first adopted the MiPerformance platform seven years ago when the contractor was appointed to a Scape framework, as it identified the need to accurately calculate local spend and social value. This triggered several other contractors on the framework to see its benefits, choosing to adopt the platform too. Thus, Scape was then able to view transparent data and KPI performance across its delivery partners in one window and assess progress across a breadth of projects – something it had not seen before.
Willmott Dixon strategic accounts and services director Scott Corey explained: “When done well, data input, analysis and forecasting can deliver hugely positive outcomes. It can spot time and cost efficiencies in advance, as well as strengthen processes and policies to benefit a wide range of stakeholders.
“On the other side of the coin, poor data processes can place extreme pressures on staff, pose security risks and create backlogs that are detrimental to contract performance and business improvement.
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“MiPerformance has cut time spent on admin by 50%, as it calculates social value in real-time.”
Scott Corey, Willmott Dixon
“Efficient digital data processes are an absolute necessity for a modern contractor. In our case, MiPerformance has cut time spent on admin by 50%, as it calculates social value in real-time and streamlines manual processes.
“The platform also reduces the opportunity for human error by generating alarms and alerts to help gear us towards our deadlines, and even suggests improvement actions.”
Benefits of digital data management
Willmott Dixon praised the benefits of good digital data management and its wide-ranging effects – slashing time spent on preparing bids or award submissions, demonstrating value to potential clients, and supporting eligibility for accreditations.
Scott added: “We need the digital assistance of this platform to identify risks, keep teams on track and accountable, and encourage constructive conversations at all levels. This is what drives performance and allows us to reach internal and external KPIs at Willmott Dixon.
“We can’t afford to bypass the digital tools at our disposal – it is an essential step in the industry’s journey to meet the high bar set for us by governing bodies.
“I understand that many contractors might be initially reticent to share data with their partners, either out of fear of exposing vulnerabilities or ‘giving too much away’. However, what I have found is that the tool brings a greater sense of collaboration as we work together to reach shared goals.
“The system is embedded into our culture, with all new employees inducted straight onto it. We are now seeing the system track more than 20 data collection points per project across all our sites and operations.”
Tracking internal KPIs
Willmott Dixon is also using the platform to track its internal KPIs. It has been configured to pull a wide range of data from several of its key internal information systems, including the customer relationship management, CSCS system and other MiProject Solutions products to serve as a central hub of knowledge.
Martin Ward, director of digital solutions at MiProject Solutions, said: “There is a real impatience brewing among contractors and framework providers regarding inadequate data, and requirements to not only promise but also to provide evidence of strong environmental, social and governance credentials, robust health and safety practices and strong corporate governance.
“There is no sign of this slowing down, and our data-hungry industry will only continue to multiply to meet the UK’s sustainability targets.
“Digital transformation is required to turn a new leaf in the sector, which has long held a reputation for being slow to digitally innovate. We see our job as streamlining data processes to make them as pain free and efficient as possible, to allow contractors to do what they do best. Our solutions navigate KPIs to revolutionise the way we see data in the sector.”
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