The issues in pharmaceutical construction and how to avoid them
Watch the episode on YouTube right here!
Let’s face it: pharmaceutical construction isn’t your average building site. You’re not just dealing with concrete and steel; you’re dealing with regulatory scrutiny, sterile environments, and equipment that costs more than most houses. And in Denmark’s growing life sciences sector, the pressure to get it right, first time, on time, is only increasing.
In our latest podcast episode, “The issues in pharmaceutical construction and how to avoid them,” we sat down with Steffen Hebsgaard Muff, an experienced construction lawyer, to talk about the painful lessons from pharmaceutical mega-projects. And more importantly, how to stop repeating them.
In the following article, we’ll discuss:
- Mega-projects, mega-headaches
- How to build smarter: Lessons learned
- Don’t wait for the post-mortem
Mega-projects, mega-headaches
When pharmaceutical companies expand or build new facilities, especially at large scale, they often underestimate how complex the construction process is.
Here are some of the key pain points Steffen and Ross see across pharmaceutical construction projects:
- Lack of owner-side leadership: Pharmaceutical companies sometimes take a hands-off approach, expecting the contractor to manage and deliver a technical building all on their own. On time, on budget. How hard can it be?
- Late involvement of the right experts: Key commercial consultants and construction specialists are often brought in too late, after critical decisions have already been made. These need to be in the room from the beginning – at business case stage.
- Change and risk management chaos: When decisions are made late or without coordination, it creates ripple effects that derail schedules and budgets. There seems to be a lack of risk and change management on these projects.
How to build smarter: Lessons learned
So what can pharmaceutical companies do differently?
- Treat construction as a core part of your business
If your facility is going to produce and create important revenue for the next 30 years, the construction phase deserves more than passive oversight.
- Get the right people in early
Commercial construction experts, end users, even contractors, get them around the table from the start. It’s more expensive up front, but it saves you months (and millions) down the line.
- Focus on process
Simple contractual risk allocation is not enough. As the asset owner you own all the risk in the end. You need a plan for risk and change management during the project lifecycle and construction process.
Don’t wait for the post-mortem
Too many pharmaceutical construction projects end in frustration, blame, and lessons learned too late. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The industry has the tools, the experience, and the specialists to do better.
If you’re in the early stages of planning your construction project, or stuck in the middle of one that’s drifting, maybe it’s time to pause and reflect.
Are your goals clear? Is your team aligned? Are you getting the right advice?
If not, reach out.