An iCIRT rating recognises the multifaceted elements that distinguish high-trust building and construction companies. But what does this look like in practical terms?

This article is the second in a series designed to explain the iCIRT assessment process and illuminate 'What Good Looks Like' for businesses aspiring to achieve a strong rating. An iCIRT rating is the result of an objective and independent assessment across six critical pillars: Character, Capability, Conduct, Capacity, Capital, and Counterparties.

Here we focus on the ‘Capability’ pillar of the iCIRT assessment.

Defining 'Capability': Can the business deliver reliable assets?

When iCIRT assesses a company's 'Capability', it focuses on the business and its teams, examining their proven ability to deliver trustworthy built assets. This differs from the 'Character' pillar of the assessment, which scrutinises the integrity and background of individuals. 

'Capability' assesses whether the business has the operational maturity and track record to consistently deliver quality. Key aspects under scrutiny include:

Past project performance:

iCIRT looks for evidence of a company’s experience in delivering reliable assets. This includes reviewing projects undertaken over decades, with a strong focus on those completed in the last 10 years. 

⭐For new businesses, the iCIRT assessment will consider the experience and track record of the key individuals and teams within that entity, ensuring new entrants aren't unfairly excluded. 
When reviewing past projects, iCIRT also assesses performance references, including any insurance claims, regulatory interventions, safety incidents, undertakings, prohibitions, penalties, or evidenced defects. If issues occurred, the focus is on how they were remediated.

iCIRT rated Allam Homes Developments achieved a strong ‘Capability’ assessment score, reflecting their proven ability to deliver trustworthy built assets. 

Operational maturity:

The assessment delves into the company's processes and practices that ensure consistent quality. It goes beyond past achievements to examine current procedures for managing teams and project delivery. This includes:

  • Quality assurance programs: What does their quality assurance program look like? How are workers inducted into it, especially across multiple sites and projects? A crucial part of this involves independent inspections, examining what third parties are used, what is the oversight on these parties, and how their independence and integrity are evidenced (e.g., through reporting lines or compensation structures).
  • Management practices: This covers a range of areas depending on the business's role, including construction management, design management, quality management, and safety management.
  • Principle adherence: How are their operational principles outlined, communicated to staff and partners, monitored, tested, and ultimately assured in the delivery of services or product.

Design change management:

The process for managing design changes is thoroughly reviewed. This includes how consultation, communication, and shared understanding are codified through documentation, ensuring all parties are working off the most current designs. Ready access to these designs is also assessed.

Contracting arrangements:

Given the cascade delivery model in construction, iCIRT examines the appropriateness of contracting methods. It assesses whether fit-for-purpose arrangements are in place and if risk is transferred to parties with the right capabilities to manage it. Proper oversight of contracted parties is also essential.

Governance and adaptive management:

This involves how teams obtain, review, and consider information, and how that information leads to changes in behaviour. iCIRT looks for evidence of adaptive management, where issues are escalated, understood, decisions are made, and actions are cascaded down quickly to ensure continuous improvement.

iCIRT rated Newbuild Developments achieved a strong ‘Capability’ assessment score, reflecting their proven ability to deliver trustworthy built assets. 

How to strengthen your 'Capability' profile for an iCIRT rating

Businesses seeking a strong score in the 'Capability' iCIRT assessment can take proactive steps. Here’s “What Good Looks Like”:

Showcase a robust track record of delivering quality projects:

Businesses should effectively demonstrate a clear track record of delivering similar types of projects to those currently in their pipeline. This means being prepared to show how past projects, particularly those from the last decade, reflect a consistent ability to deliver reliable assets. 

⭐For newer entities, highlight the extensive experience and proven capabilities of the key individuals and teams within the business, as iCIRT considers their historical involvement in successful projects.

iCIRT rated Mulpha Australia achieved a strong ‘Capability’ assessment score, reflecting their proven ability to deliver trustworthy built assets. 

Exhibit a strong and demonstrated quality assurance program: 

Prepare examples of quality assurance on site. This includes a range of evidence, including documented processes like Inspection Test Plans, and tangible checks and balances showing the frequency and independence of reviews. 
Demonstrate how effectively action is taken following reviews, how third parties are engaged and supervised for independent inspections, and how induction processes ensure a shared, single-minded focus on quality outcomes from all involved.

Implement and demonstrate effective governance and adaptive management 

Businesses should provide clear evidence of appropriate levels of consultation, effective escalation of issues, prompt decision-making, clear communication, and decisive cascaded action. 

The ability to cite how past issues have led to tangible changes and safeguards to prevent recurrence is crucial, fostering a continuous learning and improving environment. This demonstrates a commitment to operational maturity that extends beyond documentation into practical application on site. 

Class 2 building projects with a lack of ‘governance protocol’ and ‘issues with contractual documentation and administration’ have been identified as ‘red flags’ for risk in the Corrs Chambers Westgarth report. 

⭐It’s important to understand that achieving an iCIRT rating is a journey of continuous improvement. The aim is not necessarily to achieve a five-star rating immediately but to demonstrate a commitment to ongoing maturity. iCIRT also prioritises evidence of how practices are actually deployed on site, rather than just the existence of "War and Peace" documents.

By focusing on these elements of 'Capability', businesses can improve their iCIRT rating prospects and build trust with stakeholders by demonstrating their proven ability to deliver high-quality outcomes.

Stay tuned for our next article in this series, where we will delve into the 'Conduct' pillar of the iCIRT assessment.

Download 7 Reasons to Get iCIRT Rated 

Get iCIRT Rated to establish trustworthiness as your competitive advantage.