In today's rail industry, investments can be funded, procured and delivered in a number of ways. These range from schemes funded, managed and delivered wholly by Network Rail to those schemes where such activities are wholly or partly undertaken by third parties.
Network Rail has an important role to play, regardless of approach. As the operator and maintainer of the national rail network, Network Rail has an obligation to make sure that all schemes are compatible and integrated with existing railway operations. Network Rail's licence obligations require it to be confident that, when schemes are completed, they can be operated and maintained safely, reliably, efficiently and cost-effectively.
“Governance for Railway Investment Projects” (GRIP) previously known as “Guide to Rail Investment Projects” has now become a company standard that describes how Network Rail manages and controls projects that enhance or renew the national rail network.
Network Rail has developed this approach to managing projects in order to minimise and mitigate the risks associated with delivering projects that enhance or renew the operational railway and projects in a High Street environment.
The approach is based on best practice within industries that undertake major infrastructure projects and practice recommended by the major professional bodies. These include the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), the Association of Project Management (APM) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
GRIP divides a project into eight distinct stages. The overall approach in GRIP is product rather than process driven, and within each stage an agreed set of products are delivered.
The 8 GRIP Stages are
- Output definition
- Pre-feasibility
- Option selection
- Single option development
- Detailed design
- Construction test & commission
- Scheme hand back
- Project close out
Formal stage gate reviews are held at varying points within the GRIP lifecycle. The stage gate review process examines a project at critical stages in its lifecycle to provide assurance that it can successfully progress to the next stage.
If you would like access to GRIP Standard issue 1 published December 2010, email GripCD@networkrail.co.uk stating your name and work address.