I was delighted to see the publication of the 10-year infrastructure strategy and the government recognising the importance of infrastructure to improving the life opportunities of the country. What I found disappointing was that it did not dedicate any time to addressing a common point of failure in such projects – public sector capability that is too often, through no fault of their own, “fat and/or dumb”.

While much space was dedicated to the work of NISTA to ensure that the strategy is delivered and provide assurance, nothing was said about how these projects will be delivered and the capability needed to do so. To achieve those improved life opportunities for the country, we need more than NISTA. We need a better way to be the client in order to deliver all public sector projects successfully.