Independent project reviews offer fresh perspective, improved risk mitigation

Mining companies may be reluctant to engage independent project reviewers, but this investment can prevent costlier outcomes from overlooked issues, shortcomings and risks during internal reviews.

“The current decline in commodity prices, combined with rising operational costs and regulatory pressures, presents significant challenges for the mining industry.

“As a result, many companies hesitate to allocate funds for independent reviews. However, investing in these reviews now can deliver long-term benefits, helping to manage issues, shortcomings and risks, improve efficiency and ensure sustainability in a difficult market,” says ProjectLink’s Head of Project Enablement, Heinrich le Roux.

He recommends conducting independent reviews early in the project lifecycle or at key stages to proactively identify issues, shortcomings and risks before costly setbacks arise.

“Early identification allows for prompt correction, reducing the likelihood of executing a project with material flaws.”

Addressing these concerns early typically incurs lower costs, as changes are less disruptive at the project’s onset. Conversely, as a project progresses, the complexity and cost of changes increase significantly.

Delaying the identification and resolution of these issues can lead to rework, impacting budgets and timelines.

Early identification during the planning stage helps prevent costly project delays and overruns. It allows teams to take corrective action, keeping the project on track and increasing the chances of success.

This proactive approach not only saves money but also helps teams avoid potential reputational damage.

“If a project is rushed through the approval cycle owing to time constraints, issues identified later by executives could reflect poorly on the project team. Problems that emerge during implementation can damage a company’s reputation, particularly when regulatory compliance is affected,” Le Roux warns.

One challenge internal reviewers face is the potential lack of objectivity. Le Roux explains that internal teams, being closely involved, can become too embedded in the details to critically assess their own work.

This proximity can lead to unintentional bias, causing teams to overlook issues, shortcomings, or risks.

Without an impartial, external perspective, these risks can remain hidden, potentially threatening the project’s success.

Independent reviewers, removed from day-to-day operations, are better positioned to identify these issues and provide valuable insights to enhance project performance.

Another issue in internal reviews is the over-reliance on recycled documentation. Project teams often use templates from previous projects without properly customising them to address the specific needs and risks of the current project.

While this speeds up governance processes, it can leave significant gaps in planning.

Le Roux emphasises that independent reviewers focus on the actual content and substance of the documentation, ensuring that all issues, shortcomings and risks are thoroughly addressed.

Internal teams may also develop blind spots, assuming that past methods will remain effective without fully assessing their relevance to the current project.

This creates a risky environment where long-standing practices may go unquestioned, potentially leading to inconsistencies.

By contrast, independent reviewers bring a fresh perspective. Le Roux explains that independent reviewers challenge assumptions and scrutinise established practices more rigorously. They often uncover issues that internal teams may overlook.

Drawing from their diverse experience across various industries, independent reviewers offer innovative solutions and question outdated methods, driving improved outcomes and fostering project innovation.

Le Roux stresses that ProjectLink’s approach is based on an objective assessment, free from external pressures or fixed agendas.

“We focus on the necessary information according to the project management framework and governance requirements, assess what is available and identify gaps,” he explains.

By integrating independent reviews into the project lifecycle, organisations can address issues, shortcomings and risks, ensure project alignment and enhance internal team performance.

Involving independent professionals offers additional benefits. Their fresh perspectives and specialised expertise introduce innovative solutions and different ways of working, improving overall project efficiency.

Moreover, their objective viewpoint fosters greater accountability and adherence to standards, leading to smoother project execution and better outcomes for all stakeholders.