• Dedicate an in-house team with key members who are devoted to the project full-time. "This is especially important ... we need people who are there most of the time."

• Come in early to the transactions. "In my experience, those who come early ... have won more than their fair share, I would say, over future projects in the same sector."

• Team members need to approach the project with an open mind and avoid the "this is how we've always done it" mentality. "Don't play at bidding on these projects. It will lose not just that project you are working on, but possibly others. People talk in this industry and you will get a reputation."

• Pick the right technical, commercial and financial partners. "These are complex projects, so you want to make sure your buyers think like you, are equally committed to a positive outcome and pulling in the same direction and speed as you are."

• Resource properly. "You don't want to find yourself in the position where you are doing not just your job, but their job as well."