Business and Project Advisory Services Transforming Industry Capability

“Productivity is the most powerful tool we have for improving our economic wellbeing. Our future prosperity depends upon how well we do at growing more productive – how smart we are in organising ourselves, investing in people and technology, getting more out of both our physical and human potential.”

-NSW Treasury, 2020 Productivity Drives Prosperity

“… industry noted that the single biggest threat to sustainable infrastructure delivery was inefficient risk allocation on projects …Increasingly, clients are transferring greater risk to industry based on its bargaining position rather than the principle of who is best able to manage (or pay for) that risk.”

– Australian Constructors Association, 2019, in response to Infrastructure Australia’s 2019 Infrastructure Audit

“Although much good work was done by the early road-engineers, the real engineering history of the colony dates from the formation of the Public Works Department in 1859 .... Since that time, the Government have been actively engaged in improving roads already in existence and opening new means of communication to meet the demands of the increasing population.”

– JW Holliman, 1896 The mother colony of the Australias

“Since the 1980s, Government engineering departments have undergone a dramatic shift in capacity ... The core of the issue is a dramatic ‘hollowing out’ of government engineering as successive Governments have driven a strategy of outsourcing ...”

– Engineers Australia, 2012 Government as an Informed Buyer

“Engineering consultancies have a “boom or bust” model and should invest in innovative services such as strategic business advice aimed at adapting business models to rapidly changing environments and circumstances so as to dampen the external shocks that inevitably occur.”

– SamWilko Advisory Blog, referencing Mark Brownley
article “Consulting Engineering Needs New Business Model”

“Tremendous growth … will place new demands on already overtaxed infrastructure. Rooftop solar panels have rattled electric utilities, which are scrambling to keep the grid operating. High profile natural disasters draw attention to problems with infrastructure….America’s ability to realise its competitive potential depends on making smart infrastructure choices.”

– Robert Puentes, 2015 Why infrastructure matters: Rotten roads, bum economy

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Connected

Specific industry expertise and connections bought to bear in delivering value adding services.

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Knowledge

A breadth and depth of knowledge based on 30 years in the industry, creating tangible value leading to business success.

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Capable

Effective IP and techniques creating an environment centred on what clients need to achieve their business aspirations.

Delivering a comprehensive solution empowering your business.

Industry Statistics

Per annum cost of congested roads to Australia ($Bn)

The Australian Rail Manufacturing sector annual revenue ($Bn)

Australia's Infrastructure Backlog ($Bn)

Boom or Busted in Australia?

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Our Vision

Peter Wilkinson founded Sam Wilko Advisory in 2012 to address capability gaps in the Engineering and Construction industry. Over 30 years of private, public sector and consulting experience, have seen successful bids inefficiently transitioned into the project phase, and many good small to medium businesses fail to transition through the “tipping point” to become great and sustainable enterprises. The cost translates to hundreds of millions of wasted dollars, derailed careers and lost opportunity.

“I believe there’s more effective ways to win bids, deliver successful projects and grow great businesses.”

Our Services

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Bid and Project Services

Bid management

Project mobilisation

Asset Management

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Strategy Advisory

Situation analysis

Strategy design

Roadmap development

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Implementation Coaching

Independent due diligence

Project “Health Checks”

Advisory and Coaching

Reference Projects

Our experience spans Transport, Engineering & Construction and Asset Management

Parramatta Light Rail Independent Bid Review Services

May 23, 2020

Sydney Metro Central Station Works

May 23, 2020

Sydney CBD and South East Light Rail Bid Services

September 18, 2019

Epping to Chatswood Rail Link Design Management

September 18, 2019

Phulbari Coal Mine Feasibility Study

September 18, 2019

Major Bid Management Services

September 18, 2019

Sydney Light Rail CSELR Project

September 18, 2019

Sydney Light Rail Transition Management Services

September 18, 2019

Reliance Rail Technical Due Diligence and Independent Certification Services

September 18, 2019

Motorway Park and Ride Feasibility Assessment

September 18, 2019

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport AMS Organisation Assessment:

September 18, 2019

LRT Operations and Maintenance Solution Development

September 18, 2019

Industry Articles

Lowest price contracting, why does it persist in Engineering and Construction?

by Peter W | Jun 7, 2026 | Bid Management, Business Coaching, Construction Industry, Industry Opinion, Project Management

Lowest price contracting, why does it persist in Engineering and Construction? From the perspective of the client at the top of the contracting chain, low price tendering makes sense. Who wouldn’t want to maximise the return made from a project? Having a strategy is what healthy businesses need, to keep evolving, to keep looking to improve and to harness the energy of their staff.

What can Governments do to improve our Industry?

by Peter W | Jan 5, 2026 | Construction Industry, Industry Opinion, Infrastructure Construction

Peter Wilkinson explores what can Governments do to improve the Construction industry? An industry that, as is the case around the globe, Government relies on to implement so much of it’s social as well as economic agenda.

Five Forces Revisited – Has Anything Changed in Engineering and Construction?

by Peter W | Sep 3, 2025 | Business Coaching, Construction Industry, Infrastructure Construction, Project Management

Peter Wilkinson wrote about the competitive dynamics of the Engineering & Construction contracting market in “The Steel Ceiling: Achieving Sustainable Growth in Engineering and Construction” (Wiley, 2023) using a model developed for this purpose by Michael Porter called “5-Forces”. In this article he revisits this model and considers what’s happening in the industry, and what this may mean for profitability of small and medium businesses.