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Content: Engineering systems require enhancement, replacement, decommissioning and in general the production of business cases that evaluate the costs and benefits (and disbenefits) of changes to the built environment. This topic is important for engineers intending to continue in a leadership role in infrastructure (transport, energy, water, waste or telecommunications). You will produce a business case for the improvement of infrastructure. This may be a business case for new infrastructure (such as new railway line) or adaptation of operational infrastructure (such as flood defences). The module requires you to produce a technical report presenting the business case for an infrastructure project.

Teaching delivery: This module is taught June to August and is supported through bi-weekly supervision. Expert input will support learning.

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Indicative Topics:Ìý Example topics include:Ìý key determinants of infrastructure investment; business case development; methods of financing and delivery; infrastructure value; risk assessment and risk modelling; infrastructure asset management planning.

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Module Aims and/or Objectives:

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The aim of the module is to prepare engineers to understand the need for adaptation of engineered systems. It will develop specific knowledge of business case development and enable students to demonstrate their understanding of the processes, mechanisms, and tools for business case development. It will also develop specific knowledge on the challenges of cost versus value, and functional vs non-functional costs and benefits. Students will develop both oral and written skills through a final report and presentation. Whilst this module will expect Treasury Green Book alignment, it will expect designs and innovations to current thinking on business cases.

Recommended reading:

• Infrastructure Projects Authority (2020) Infrastructure Business Case: International Guidance.
• Chan, C. et al. (2009) Public Infrastructure Financing: An International Perspective, Productivity Commission Staff Working Paper.

Additional costs: There are no additional costs.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable and used for business case development and their limitations for adaptations to existing infrastructure systems.
2. Demonstrate an original application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge about investment for infrastructure adaptation or retrofit.
3. Evaluate how investment into adaptation can improve the reliability and performance of critical infrastructure services through risk modeling and performance assessment, thereby creating evidence for a business case.
4. Be able to take a new perspective on integrated systems that is not constrained to a single discipline yet implements a rigorous approach for investment in infrastructure systems that addresses major challenges, such as climate change, poverty, etc.