The Investment Case – from Idea to Confirmed Outcome (2022)

The 2022-symposium took place at Holmen Fjordhotell in Asker 22-23 September. The event  focused on the initial outline of what is subsequently realized as an investment project of proportions. The initiating thoughts and mandate, the scope of ideas, and the ways and means to make the ideas turn into the most cost-effective and efficient solution to the problem at hand.

Megaprojects – Why, What and How (2018)

The 8th Concept Symposium took place 6-7 September at Sola Strand Hotel in Stavanger. The focus was on ways and means to expand the opportunity space, improve the basis for decisions, and eliminate inferior conceptual solutions at an early stage, in order to identify the most cost-effective and efficient solution to the problem at hand.

Governing the Front End of Major Projects Fostering Efficient and Effective Investments (2016)

The 7th Concept Symposium took place 7 – 9 September at Sola Strand Hotel in Stavanger at the west coast of Norway. The focus was on governing the front-end of major projects.

Opportunities, Decisions and their Effects (2014)

The 6th Concept Symposium took place in September 2014 at Losby Gods outside Oslo, devoted to project governance, in other words on investments and their outcome and long term effects, rather than on projects and their implementation and management.

Valuing the future - Public Investments and Social Return (2012)

The 5th Concept Symposium was held at Losby Gods outside Oslo. The focus was on investments and their outcome and long term effects, rather than the more restricted view on the project and its design and implementation. Ex ante estimation and Ex post evaluation of the social return of investment were highlighted. The key question, however, was still on governance: How can we assure that the most viable investment project is chosen?

Decision makers, doers and advisors - Joining forces to enhance utility of investments (2010)

The 4th Concept Symposium was held at the historical Oscarsborg Fortress just outside Oslo in September 2010. The main topic was project governance as seen from a wide angle; how can the project’s goal and purpose be attained in a societal perspective?

Governance of Major Investment Projects (2008)

The 3rd Concept Symposium was held in Trondheim, 2008. The point of departure was the failure of many large investment projects to meet expectations in terms of producing anticipated benefits, and the need for improved project governance. The symposium zoomed in on this complex phenomenon from four different angles: The overall national public management perspective, Experience in selected countries that have institutionalized regimes to improve project governance, The business case and lessons from initiatives to improve quality at entry, and Recent research findings from the Concept Research Program.

Principles of Governance for Major Investment Projects (2006)

The 2nd Concept Symposium was held in Trondheim and focused on the design and experience with project governance regimes in different countries. Some of the questions that were addressed: What are the current procedures applied in different countries and agencies - and what are their effects? What would it take to develop more effective governance regimes at international, government or corporate level to ensure maximum utility and return on investment for society and investors? What would be the optimal mix of regulations, economic means and information in improved governance regimes for major investment projects?

Front-end Management of Large Public Projects (2003)

The 1st Concept Symposium was held in Oslo, one year after the Concept Research Program was established. The aim was to establish an arena where researchers, civil servants, project managers and consultants could exchange experiences and focus on answers and solutions to improve quality-at-entry of major public projects. Further, to initiate fruitful discussions that could be of use to researchers and practitioners in their future work as well as to identify ideas for future research in this field. The researchers wanted to share their insights and explore what measures had been made in other countries.