Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, is rolling out a new social value tool designed to help delivery teams consistently measure and improve social impact and outcomes​ across all of its projects.

Costain delivers social value across a range of activities including community engagement, volunteering, skills and knowledge sharing, and STEM advocacy.

The tool, which has been coffers the unique feature of standardising data-driven evidence of the positive societal and environmental impacts achieved during a project’s lifecycle. The collected data is then analysed and converted into social, environmental and economic valuations, aligning with the UK Government's Social Value Model.

In addition, the tool can report against bespoke frameworks when required by customers, making it possible to benchmark performance and outcomes against similar infrastructure schemes. It also has built-in forecasting capabilities which allow Costain to predict how much social value a project will deliver before it begins, in turn helping to improve the accuracy of target-setting and providing a better understanding of a project’s expected outcomes.​

Following its successful trial in Costain’s water sector, the tool will be implemented across all Costain’s sectors including road, rail, integrated transport, energy, and defence and nuclear energy.

Catherine Warbrick, chief people and sustainability officer at Costain, commented:

“We’re investing in the tools and technology that will help us improve people’s lives, both through the services we provide and in the way we operate. More accurately recording our social, economic and environmental outcomes will give us a better understanding of the impact we’re making, and ensure a positive, lasting legacy for the communities we serve.”

CMDP, a joint venture between Costain and MWH Treatment, has been using the social value tool as part of its AMP7 delivery for Southern Water.

Julie Francis, head of people and customer at CMDP, which has been trialling Costain’s social value tool, said:

“At CMDP, we place a strong emphasis on social value and recognise the profound benefits of utilising technology and tools that benefit local communities and help our supply chain as we deliver crucial updates for Southern Water. With Costain’s social value tool, we are able to accurately capture key information and measure the impact of how our initiatives are improving people’s lives and helping the planet. The tool also empowers our supply chain partners, ensuring that we continue to work together to drive positive change and create lasting value.”