​Alfred Nhlapo
Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Mr. Jacob Mamabolo has launched a groundbreaking technology-based platform for live tracking, reporting, and intervention on the performance of infrastructure projects in the province. The launch of the Infrastructure Delivery Platform (IDEP) was held on the 17 of October 2024 at the Lutsinga Infrastructure Nerve Centre at the head offices of the Department of Infrastructure Development (DID), on Fox Street, Marshalltown, Johannesburg. MEC Jacob Mamabolo said the launch was part of ensuring more transparency and accountability in the expenditure of public funds on projects. The platform will also help reduce project delays and costs.
The workings of the state-of-the-art dashboard of integrated project management systems were presented to key stakeholders, including MECs, councilors and heads of client departments who sponsor infrastructure projects. The department currently manages more than 400 social infrastructure development projects, including the construction, maintenance, and upgrade of facilities as clinics, hospitals, schools, libraries, early childhood development centres, and heritage facilities, amongst others. The platform is expected to speed up delivery.
MEC Jacob Mamabolo said the department had identified certain inefficiencies in the project delivery value chain which the new platform would now help eliminate through timely intervention.  Project managers and other professionals now conduct live and weekly updates on the status of projects on the integrated dashboard instead of waiting for project status meetings. The platform generates real-time project reports.
 
"The Infrastructure Delivery Platform is a Back-to-Basics strategic intervention which seeks to improve the execution processes and operational efficiencies within the DID construction project management environment. The platform now integrates and leverages governance and compliance frameworks with smart technologies for more effective and efficient infrastructure delivery.", said the MEC.
The Head of Department Ms Masabata Mutlaneng said the Infrastructure Delivery Platform was a long-term initiative which seeks to introduce novel innovative methods to supplement and improve existing traditional project delivery methods. "It creates a common data environment or a single source of truth to capture, manage and distribute information and documents through various stages of the project delivery process. The integrated IDEP system will help identify risks, bottlenecks and project management aspects that require urgent attention.", said Mutlaneng.
She said real-time and reliable data is consolidated into a single source environment and leveraged during the project life cycle. The approach is collaborative in nature as it brings information, process and people together in a common environment embedded with strong controls to promote compliance.
The IDEP dashboard consists of smart technologies such as drones, CMA business intelligence systems, project management solutions, maintenance solutions, and the Portfolio of Evidence solutions that encompass the Expanded Public Works Programme, Kopanong Precinct, and Infrastructure.
Following the launch of the IDEP system, the department has reaffirmed its commitment to the timely completion of infrastructure projects and speedy community access to much needed public facilities. The project portfolio of the department also plays a critical role in the creation of job opportunities for communities and the empowerment of emerging enterprises.