Design of innovative government frameworks for major public investment projects: A comparative study of governance frameworks in UK and Norway

Klakegg, Ole Jonny, Williams, Terry and Magnussen, Ole Morten (2007) Design of innovative government frameworks for major public investment projects: A comparative study of governance frameworks in UK and Norway. The International Research Network on Organizing by Projects (IRNOP VIII): Project Research Conference, Sussex, UK. 19 - 21 Sep 2007. 22 pp .

Abstract

How can a country make sure that public funding is not wasted on bad projects? What kind of governance framework for major investments is needed to ensure the right projects are started and that they are executed efficiently? This paper investigates such questions based on a comparative study of governance regimes established in UK and Norway. A governance framework defines how resources and risks are distributed among stakeholders. Laws and regulatory mechanisms make up the structure, and information, auditing and other control measures are actively used to secure the intended results. It also makes roles and responsibilities of administration and the political system clearer. The literature describes how governance is a way of regulating society and corporations, public governance pointing towards the public sector and corporate governance pointing to the private sector. According to some researchers, the difference between private and public sectors is getting smaller. In order to find the right set of framework elements and governance principles, you need to look at the objectives of the governance framework and the contextual parameters of the situation. This study shows that there are many different elements and governance principles available. Designing the framework to work as a whole is the challenge. Comparing the two governance frameworks reveal that the aim of their development and implementation is very similar. Still they are very different. The paper does not conclude that one is better than the other. Different characteristics are: - Simplicity vs. Completeness - Mandatory vs. Optional - Aim at value vs. Aim at business case Further the paper invests common governance principles available to design a good governance framework for major public investment projects and concludes with some of the most important questions and design choices at hand when designing or improving such a framework. The study is still in progress and will go further into detail on how the framework and the projects interact and carry out case-studies.

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