The penultimate round of the Preliminary Rounds encouragingly saw nearly 80% of the teams post positive growth figures in period 11, and as the final comes into sight 10 teams retained their positions in the top 12, with just 2 new entries, but there is still a sizeable chasing pack still in contention, and the tension is palpable, and there are sure to be more surprises before the identity of the 12 finalists is revealed next week. And with teams in the top 12 representing all regions of the world, and 8 different sponsors, another global final is on the cards.

And so to the action in period 11. The "Fanatics" (AtkinsRealis, India) held onto top spot for the third consecutive period with 2,269 pts, and keeping hopes high on the Sub Continent that this year could see a first team from India to take the title, and they extended their to 58 points from "Whatever it takes" (Stantec, Italy), who remain second. Both "Constructive Chaos" (Arcadis Australia Pacific, Australia) and "Stan Movers" (Stantec, United States) climbed two places each to 3rd and 4th respectively. The 2 new entries into the top 12 are both previous finalists, "Stan Movers" (Stantec, United States) who improved by a stunning 25% to move up 36 places to 8th, and the ever consistent "Enginuity State of Mind" (Jacobs, United States), who moved up 4 places to 10th.

The teams that qualify for a place in the Final will carry on with their businesses as they are at the end of the Preliminary Rounds, or early years. However, the final, or later years will present a number of new challenges. In particular, each of the 'human' teams will be in direct competition for work against each other, with just one additional simulated rival. This adds more uncertainty to the bidding process, and added to this contract awards are not just based upon price, but upon client relationships, so relationships built up over the early years take on added significance in the later years, and marketing strategies assume added significance as niche markets become very attractive. Only the team able to cope the best under the increased pressure, and with the most effective and robust strategy for competing in this challenging global environment, would eventually emerge as the 2024 Champions.