Project Governance in Changing Times (2024)

The 2024 Symposium will take place at Holmen Fjordhotell in Asker, outside Oslo, 18-20 September 2024. The focus of the coming symposium will be on how the current and past turbulent times impact the planning and selection of projects. The event will also discuss if past procedures for project appraisal are fit for purpose in a world that puts increasing emphasis on sustainable development over economic growth. 

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

The 2022 symposium took place at Holmen Fjordhotell in Asker on 22-23 September. The event focused on the initial outline of what is subsequently realised 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 on 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 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 from 7 – 9 September at Sola Strand Hotel in Stavanger on 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. It was devoted to project governance, in other words, to investments and their outcome and long-term effects, rather than to 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 of 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 ensure that the most viable investment project is chosen?

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

The 4th Concept Symposium was held at the historical Oscarsborg Fortress 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 from a societal perspective?

Governance of Major Investment Projects (2008)

The 3rd Concept Symposium was held in Trondheim, in 2008. The point of departure was the failure of many large investment projects to meet expectations regarding 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 institutionalised regimes to improve project governance, The business case and lessons from initiatives to enhance the quality at entry, and Recent research findings from the Concept Research Program.

Principles of Governance for Major Investment Projects (2006)

The 2nd Concept Symposium in Trondheim focused on the design and experience of project governance regimes in different countries. Some of the questions 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 the 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.