In July 2022, Network, Rail, the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, and the Railway Industry Association ran a workshop where representatives across the railway industry discussed the Enterprise approach and explored how it can be optimised for rail.

Today, we published a report outlining the results from that workshop, highlighting key enablers of an effective Enterprise model in rail, as well as key challenges.

Enterprise models are emerging in the UK rail sector to drive improved performance, and to overcome historic challenges. The Delivering Enterprise models in the UK rail sector report has been prepared to outline key points about Enterprises, and how they can be operated successfully to deliver outcomes for UK rail users.

Key findings include:

• Successful Enterprises are built upon a CULTURE that is established early, with strong and visible leadership. Individuals are appointed to roles based on ability and there is strong and consistent communication. Individuals are empowered to make decisions that help to achieve the project or programme outcomes.
• DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION creates effective information management across the enterprise and throughout the delivery process. To achieve this, a digital transformation strategy and roadmap should be developed, at the heart of which should be a common data environment. All parties should be bought in to the strategy, with support provided to smaller members of the enterprise and wider supply chain to ensure that they can play their part in the transformation.
• As with digital transformation, the Enterprise’s approach to RISK should be managed on a collaborative basis, with all parties within an enterprise taking responsibility for understanding and managing project and programme risks with a similarly joint approach to incentivisation.
• It is vital that the Enterprise develops an INTEGRATOR function, drawing on the best capabilities from across the owner and its Enterprise partners.