scope:

This standard specifies the principles to be adopted for, and the roles and responsibilities associated with planning and scheduling projects.

This standard is part of the Capital Delivery Core Process and relates to NR/L2/P3M/201 and NR/L2/P3M/220.

It applies to projects that require Investment Authority as defined within IR01 Investment Regulations and enhance or renew the operational railway.

Throughout this document 'project' is used interchangeably with 'programmes' and 'portfolios', unless otherwise stated.

Purpose 

The Capital Investment and Delivery Policy and Project Acceleration in a Controlled Environment (PACE) describe how Network Rail manages and controls investment projects on the rail network.

Network Rail has developed this approach to managing projects in order to minimise and mitigate the risks associated with project development and delivery. PACE provides a more flexible control framework, enabling sponsors and project managers to tailor the controls therein, to better meet the requirements of their project. The PACE framework is shown in figure 1. 

This standard reduces the risk of project delays and ineffective resourcing. It supports project teams and stakeholders to monitor progress, manage expectations and communicate and collaborate clearly, in order to optimise time and resources effectively. 

The approach is based on best practice within comparable industries that undertake major investment projects. 

This standard sets out the requirements for project time management. This includes the processes required to manage the timely completion of the project.

Project time management processes and their associated tools and techniques are documented in the schedule management plan. 

Project schedule development defines activities, sequences activities, estimates activity resources, and estimates activity duration combination with the scheduling tool to produce the schedule model. 

The project schedule satisfies the business need for a forward plan or timetable and measurement tool. This standard aims to deliver a consistent approach to scheduling for Network Rail.