Hong Kong leaders discuss the future of major programme delivery at Mace Consult event
Mace Consult recently brought together senior leaders from government, industry and academia at an event in Hong Kong to discuss the future of major programme delivery.
Held at The Forum, M+ Museum in West Kowloon, and with a keynote address from Ir Michael Fong, JP, Director of Civil Engineering and Development, the event gathered decision-makers from organisations including Development Bureau (DEVB), MTR Corporation, Highways Department, Drainage Services Department (DSD), InvestHK, the UK Department for Business and Trade, Hong Kong Jockey Club, and University of Hong Kong, among others.
Across the event’s speeches, panels and networking sessions, the consensus was clear: increasing scale and complexity are reshaping infrastructure delivery, driving the need for more integrated and collaborative approaches and an accelerated adoption of digital and data-led solutions across the entire lifecycle of major programmes.
Ideas and views put forward by the speakers saw traditional delivery models challenged, with calls for stronger governance, greater collaboration, clearer accountability and earlier intervention to manage risk and maintain momentum echoed throughout the room.
At the heart of this shift is the ongoing adoption of digital and data-led approaches, including the targeted use of AI to enhance performance and support delivery teams. As outlined by Mace Consult CEO, Davendra Dabasia, digital solutions are already enabling better decision-making, improving visibility of risk and helping programme teams maintain control across complex portfolios where structured data, clear processes and strong governance already exist.
Highlighting the central role of purposeful partnerships, Ir Michael Fong, JP, Director of Civil Engineering and Development, said:
“As programmes grow in scale and complexity, success increasingly depends on how intelligently all parties coordinate – from clients to partners and the wider supply chain – working together with shared accountability and trust.
“At CEDD, we are embracing digital and AI as part of this evolution. From strengthening data validation today to exploring more autonomous workflows in the future, these capabilities will help improve accuracy, support decision-making and enable teams to focus on higher-value outcomes.
“The transformative journey reflects our determination to innovate with integrity, to build trust among all partners and stakeholders, and to raise Hong Kong’s standards in project delivery to become the global gold standard.”
Emphasising the importance of digitalisation in driving effective programme delivery, Ir Felix Poon, Chief Assistant Secretary (Works) 1 for Development Bureau (DEVB), said:
“The increasing complexity of infrastructure delivery is a global trend, and Hong Kong is no exception. Navigating this evolving landscape requires us to ensure sufficient capacity to manage multi-dimensional challenges and an independent assurance team that will ensure effective oversight and transparency throughout the programme lifecycle.
“At the heart of successful project delivery lies digitalisation and the transformative power of AI. DEVB is adopting an agile approach and framework policy to drive wider adoption of digitisation and AI across the construction industry.”
Reflecting on challenges and opportunities across the wider APAC region, David Martin, Managing Director for Asia Pacific, Mace Consult, added:
“The discussions at our event reaffirmed that the industry is at a point where traditional delivery models are being stretched by the size, speed and complexity of today’s programmes. In Asia Pacific, where markets vary widely in maturity, the capability to embed new ways of working seamlessly across different functions is critical to delivering better outcomes, building capability and creating long-term value with certainty every time.
“Enhanced digital capability is central to this. When applied in a structured and practical way, with the right data, processes and oversight, teams can act more decisively and with greater efficiency, responding earlier to risk and maintaining momentum across delivery.”
The event formed part of Mace Consult’s ongoing engagement with clients and partners across Asia Pacific, supporting more effective delivery of the next generation of major programmes.