All too often the gap between what was planned for and what was achieved in an infrastructure project
is significantly different. There is a direct linkage between the role played by a client and the outcomes of an infrastructure project, regardless of its size, complexity and location. The root causes of infrastructure project failure can frequently be attributed to the lack of governance and poor procurement and delivery management practices, all of which are under the control of the client.

There is a dearth of literature on the role of the client which explains how a client can positively influence the success of a project. Several national and international standards covering aspects of governance, management and procurement have been published in recent years. This Guide draws on these standards to provide a guide on the role of the client and how a client can positively influence the outcomes of a project, regardless of its size, complexity and location.