NEC3 Contract Administration & Change Management for a Large-Scale Public Infrastructure Project
Situation
A multi-billion-pound heavy civil infrastructure project was facing significant challenges under the NEC3 contract framework:
A backlog of Early Warning Notices, Compensation Event Notices, and quotations that had not been processed
Multiple longstanding disputed changes threatening revenue and project timelines
Inconsistent adherence to NEC3 contractual processes across client, contractor, and supply chain teams
Fragmented governance, limited accountability, and insufficient record-keeping, affecting visibility of total contract value
A need to upskill project teams and embed sustainable commercial and contract management practices
Objectives
The client engaged Clear Consulting to:
Resolve historical contract issues and secure recoverable revenue
Implement a robust change management process aligned with NEC3, ensuring compliance across all parties
Strengthen governance and accountability, with clear audit trails and accurate records
Stabilise contract administration and elevate commercial change team performance
Develop internal capability through mentoring, onboarding, and targeted training
Services Delivered
Clear Consulting delivered a comprehensive package of services, including:
Historical Contract Review & Resolution
Cleared the backlog of Early Warning Notices, Compensation Event Notices, and quotations
Negotiated historic disputed changes using root cause and settlement analysis
Identified contractual obligations, client risks, and supplier assumptions/exclusions to protect entitlements
Change Management Implementation
Designed and implemented an improved change management process using the CEMAR cloud-based tool, integrated across client, prime contractor, and supply chain
Ensured timely serving of notices and responses to quotations, adhering strictly to NEC3 contractual timescales
Monitored team and supply chain performance, enforcing timely action on all contractual communications
Governance & Record-Keeping
Established robust governance and accountability structures
Maintained accurate audit trails and detailed records to support claims, revenue capture, and financial control
Provided transparent reporting of total contract value and change impact
Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
Facilitated compliance and collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams and international organisations
Promoted adherence to NEC3 provisions, fostering a culture of early warnings and proactive change management
Knowledge Transfer & Training
Onboarded permanent personnel to replace Clear Consulting staff, mentoring and coaching them for long-term sustainability
Delivered training sessions on NEC3, quotations, delay analysis, and claim preparation for commercial, financial, and technical teams
Achievements and Outcomes
Resolved historic Early Warning Notices, Compensation Event Notices, and Quotations, recovering significant project revenue
Implemented process improvements and coached teams to adhere to contractual timescales and capture change to the baseline contract value
Stabilised contract administration and elevated the commercial change team to best-in-class performance
Established a structured, cloud-based change management process, ensuring consistent compliance across all stakeholders
Improved governance, auditability, and accountability, with accurate reporting of total contract value
Strengthened team capability and confidence, embedding sustainable NEC3 contract management practices
Conclusion
Clear Consulting transformed the client’s NEC3 contract administration and change management approach, delivering measurable financial, operational, and compliance improvements, while establishing a high-performing commercial change team and sustainable contract management practices for future projects.
A multi-billion-pound heavy civil infrastructure project was facing significant challenges under the NEC3 contract framework.
