So, we wrote a book.  From start to finish.  If you are a close connection of either Simon or me then you will have probably seen us in various states of excitement, trepidation, panic and joy as we journeyed through this process over the space of about a year and half.

I wouldn’t say writing a book was ever on the to do list.  But the universe had other ideas.  After a delicious curry one night while Simon and I were working away together we hatched this harebrained scheme to co-author a book about our work, why we have to put people first in our projects, and why we have to listen to them.

Socially Successful Projects in the built environment: Demystifying social value and stakeholder engagement is about delivering better projects for both stakeholders and project teams.  The book looks at the theory behind a reframed approach to stakeholder engagement using a social value lens.  We argue that projects in the built environment need to be technically feasible, financially viable, and socially successful.  Project managers need to focus on all three elements.  Failing to meet that third criterion can lead to push back, protests, delays and potentially unsuccessful projects.  The book focuses on that social dimension, providing a step-by-step guide to how a project can be socially successful.

Writing the book was challenging (at times very challenging!), it was cathartic, it was inspiring and at times never ending.  But we learnt a lot through this process and here are some of the things we learnt:

  • Sarah likes to use a lot of words to say something.
  • Simon likes to use few words to say something.
  • Our work is important.  People are interested in what we have to say, they want to know how we can change our processes, so people are at the forefront of projects, not economics or technical standards.
  • We actually know more than we think!  Having to sort our ideas for the book into some kind of order helped us to develop our thinking and make connections that we hadn’t made before.
  • Stakeholder engagement and social value creation on projects isn’t just the responsibility of specialists in those fields.  Every built environment professional has a responsibility to acknowledge the importance of these elements and bring them into the project process early.
  • We have an amazing network of people who helped us.  Massive thank you especially to Dr Karen Potter, Dr Christina Georgiadou, Dr Cara Mulholland, Dr Jacqui Cotton and Martin Stockley for reviewing the first draft of the book and providing honest feedback which helped to enhance the book.  Thank you also to the large number (too many to name, but you are in the book!) of people who gave up their time to share their personal experiences and their thoughts and opinions on what should be in the book.   
  • We probably won’t write another book … unless we go out for dinner again.

So, look out for more news on our website about Socially Successful Projects in the built environment: Demystifying social value and stakeholder engagement when it lands hopefully in March 2026.  We were also guests on the Groundwater Rising Podcast – led by the fantastic Katie Hargrave -Smith, talking about the book and what you can expect from it.  You can find the podcast here.  Give it a listen and let us know what you think.

Sarah Fitton

October 2025

Order Socially Successful Projects Here!