Technical Authoring

Client: Network Rail

Team Members: Ellyn Johnson, Chrissy LeBrocq, Daria Whittington, Jake Clarke, Joe Whalen

The Service

RPS provides technical authoring and project management services to support complex pre-contract and post-contract assurance processes on major UK infrastructure programmes operating within highly regulated environments.

In the nuclear sector, our role focuses on producing clear, structured, and auditable documentation that supports robust governance, assurance, and decision-making processes across large, multi-party delivery alliances.

At Sizewell C, we support the Civil Works Alliance (CWA), comprising Balfour Beatty, Laing O’Rourke and Bouygues Travaux Publics.

The Task

RPS supports the CWA through the development and maintenance of a suite of critical assurance documents produced at works package level.

These documents are designed to provide a coherent and integrated narrative of scope, cost, programme, risk, and technical readiness. They demonstrate that the CWA is ready to commence construction of Sizewell C scope packages and therefore form a crucial link between development and delivery of this nationally significant nuclear infrastructure scheme.

We are proud of the work we are delivering at Sizewell C. Key documents developed by the technical authoring team include:

The Project Execution Plan (PEP) - Describing scope, design maturity, delivery methodology, and technical readiness, the PEP acts as an overarching summary document that integrates and references the accompanying basis documents. It demonstrates technical readiness and alignment with key environmental, safety, health and contractual requirements.

The Basis of Estimate (BoE) - Providing clear justification of estimated costs, including inputs, assumptions, methodology, and the assurance processes underpinning the estimate. The document details not only what the cost is, but also how it has been developed and validated, ensuring confidence that planned costs are robust, transparent, and aligned with delivery expectations.

Basis of Risk (BoR) - Documenting the identification, assessment, and treatment of cost and programme risks, uncertainties, and opportunities, including the methodologies used to determine overall risk exposure.

Basis of Schedule (BoS) - Setting out the rationale behind proposed delivery timelines and programme logic at works package level.

RPS works closely with our CWA partners to coordinate inputs, manage interfaces, and ensure consistency, traceability, and clarity across all documentation.

The Benefits to Our Client

Through structured and well-governed technical authoring, underpinned by project delivery expertise, RPS helps clients and delivery partners achieve:

• Improved clarity and consistency across complex assurance documentation

• Stronger alignment between scope, cost, programme, and risk narratives

• Enhanced confidence for internal and external assurance reviews

• Reduced risk of misinterpretation, duplication, or gaps between work packages

• A clear, auditable record to support decision-making throughout the project lifecycle

By translating complex technical and commercial inputs into clear, coherent documentation, RPS enables effective governance and supports the successful delivery of major infrastructure programmes.