Procurement, transaction and commercial advisory.

The transaction process is complex and characterised by multiple disciplines and stakeholders (including technical, commercial and financial specialists) that need to be integrated seamlessly in the transaction process to meet timelines and make the right decisions along the way.

Our advisors support our clients in the procurement and transaction process by:

• designing effective and efficient procurement strategies and processes based on our proven methodologies;
• delivering a market process that seamlessly integrates all workstreams, giving our clients the information they need to make the right decisions in a timely manner whilst keeping stakeholders engaged;
• achieving the best value for money throughout the process and from negotiations with the preferred contractor; and
• setting the project up for successful delivery by addressing and minimising scope, timing and financial risks as part of the procurement process.

Our key services are:

• Procurement strategy development
• Project establishment
• Transaction process and systems
• Market sounding and market interaction process
• Tender evaluation process (EOI & RFT)
• Contract negotiation and award
• Technical workstream capability
• Commercial and financial workstreams
• Knowledge transfer

Strategic project development and front-end advisory.

We navigate the underlying drivers for infrastructure investment, and the strategic needs and deliverables of our clients.

Our advisors provide project development and front-end advisory services through:

• our experience of working with Government, community and private sector organisations;
• our qualifications in engineering, finance, law, planning, quantity surveying, and project management; and
• our knowledge of the full project lifecycle to match client intentions with outcomes.

We support our clients in the establishment of policies, strategies, projects and programs by:

• defining project need and scope;
• establishing and implementing governance;
• navigating the investment decision process; and
• building a business case.

Our key services are:

• Strategy and policy
• Project definition and planning
• Stakeholder engagement
• Governance establishment
• Capital investment strategies, funding and financing options
• Business case writing, team leadership and management
• Option development and assessment
• Risk allocation and commercial principles

Commercial and Contract Management.

Large projects are complex with multiple interfaces. We manage contract risk allocation, driving the need for positive commercial outcomes and certainty for our clients.

Our advisors provide our clients with impartial, experience-based advice founded on significant commercial management experience of large-scale infrastructure projects.

We offer our clients:

• extensive knowledge of the private and public sectors in the Australian infrastructure industry;
• commercial, financial and project delivery experience, complimented by extensive hands-on construction contractor and government-side project delivery experience; and
• an understanding of our clients’ processes, drivers and targeted outcomes.

We support our clients in project delivery by:

• providing best-in-class contract and commercial management;
• providing early identification and management of significant emerging issues; and
• always adopting a ‘one-team’ approach.

Our key services are:

• Contract management and administration
• Commercial management of contracts
• Project financial control and reporting
• Programming and planning
• Risk management (including risk analysis and mitigation strategies)
• Project health checks
• Development of contract management guidelines
• Provision of training on commercial and contract management
• Conflict avoidance and management

Claims and Disputes Management

Our advisors provide actionable advice so our clients are in a position to contest a claim in a professional and informed manner.

We support our clients by providing:

• objective and balanced analysis;
• credible opinions based on relevant knowledge and actual industry experience; and
• an in-depth understanding of technical and programming complexity.

If our client chooses to challenge a claim, ConnellGriffin will prepare a solid foundation for the contestability of the key issues at stake, that clients can rely upon.

Our key services are:

• Dispute avoidance and guidance on principal and contractor obligations
• Claims management, preparation and defence
• Settlement of contentious variations and claims (time and cost)
• Alternative dispute resolution support
• Independent expert opinions
• Arbitration and litigation support