Value mapping for major economic infrastructure projects for the Australian public sector

Reporting on corporate objectives, relating to social and environmental responsibilities, has been gaining credibility since the 1990’s. This has led to the need to identify, measure and report on previously unidentified elements of business’ impacts. How then is this being realised in the provision of urban infrastructure by Australian public sector agencies? A review of literature identified limited research activity in this field and revealed that a comprehensive mapping framework, from corporate objectives to project outcomes and impacts has not yet been developed. Such 'value mapping' is however undertaken in other industries to improve production or service efficiencies, and to deliver on corporate responsibilities. This paper reports on doctoral research, currently in progress, which will establish a value-mapping framework to be applied to major economic infrastructure projects. This will enable project teams to firstly, better identify, align and track this decision-making process, and secondly assist in managing medium to long term risk, thus minimising possible future harm to the environment and/or the community.