Ian Palmer, Kier Construction

How Tech-12 Services helped Kier project manager Ian to enhance focus on USAF projects

Managing the planning, scheduling, financing and reporting of a construction project is a challenge at the best of times – even for the most experienced project manager. 

When that project involves a military client, that task grows even more complex due to the need for strict compliance with Tech 12, a framework of procedures designed to ensure a uniform and comprehensive approach to project handovers on Ministry of Defence estates in the UK.  

As a leading main contractor involved in construction of defence infrastructure, including on US Air Force (USAF) in the UK, Kier Construction understands the importance of providing its military clients with a full set of, Tech 12 compliant, Operations and Maintenance (O&M) manuals at the time of handover. 

Responsibility for creating the depth of documentation needed to support this falls to Kier’s project managers, such as Ian Palmer. With 14 year’s experience in this role, Ian manages all aspects of his projects, from pre-construction to post-handover.

Preparing O&M manuals for USAF clients was a real challenge. He explains: “I had to do everything myself, which was a significant learning curve! The Tech 12 process is more intensive than I’ve experienced on most non-defence projects.Crucially, this diverted my time from managing the project to creating manuals.”

Ian had to commit around two hours per week to the Tech 12 process, with a range of tasks including: chasing information from the project’s supply chain; producing the O&M manuals and; ensuring information contained is accurate and presented in the prescribed format.  

 Towards the end of a project, Ian notes that the time required to produce the documentation tends to increase – particularly during testing and commissioning.

Ian recognised there must be a more efficient way to work. That’s when a colleague told him about his experiences with Tech-12 Services.

 Launched in 2023 by David Caddick, the business specialises in the production of O&M manuals specifically for USAF projects in the UK.

Following a discussion with David, Ian was impressed by the company’s experience, skill and deep understanding of the Tech 12 process.

 He explains: “Tech-12 services were clearly very knowledgable about what needed to be provided and they demonstrated their ability to equal – if not better – our client’s expectations.”

Ian enlisted their help on his next USAF construction project.

Since outsourcing the creation of O&M manuals to Tech-12 Services, Ian has not looked back..

“While there are still review meetings and other issues to be addressed, the day-to-day back and forth of creating O&M manuals was significantly reduced for me,” he explains.

For Ian, that time saving means he  can now: “Focus on everything else… ……and means that other important tasks don’t suffer.”

Ian found Tech-12 Services’ detailed and systematic approach to producing the documentation ensured excellent results.

“The end product exceeded our expectations ,” enthuses Ian. “They produced a better product than I could and the client was happy with what they received.”

During the final draft FM manual review, Ian notes: “The CE maintenance team were impressed with how Tech-12 Services managed the document requirements and how thorough they were to ensure the O&M manual was as complete as possible.”

He adds: “They provided a more unifom approach and raised standards of quality, and that reflects well on Kier.”

Client feedback 

“Tech-12 Services is easy-going, user-friendly, extremely efficient and always willing to go the extra mile..

 “They have a can-do attitude. Nothing was an issue –  even during the difficult times they never give up. They are a real supply chain partner working with you.

 “They provide an excellent product, and keep the client happy, which is most important of all.

 “It was great to work with them on this project. I would repeat this on any future complicated project and highly recommend them to others.