CONSTRUCTION PARTNERING

What is Partnering?

Partnering is a planned and orchestrated effort by all stakeholders of a construction project to commit to an organized effort of establishing an environment of mutual trust, open communication, cooperation and teamwork that causes everyone to win by achieving the mutually agreed upon goals and objectives. The business contract specifies the "what's and how's" of the technical end of the construction project. During the partnering process, a Charter is developed that specifies the "what's and how's" of the way people relate to one another and manage themselves in working together to achieve the desired mission of the project. Seven essential elements of successful partnering include.

1. Commitment to partnering by the top management of every organization involved in the project.

2. Equity in considering all stakeholders' interests to create shared goals and commitment by all stakeholders.

3. Trust among all parties through personal relationships and open communication with mutual sharing and understanding of each party's risks and goals.

4. A partnering charter developed jointly by all parties that identifies specific mutual goals and objectives

5. Implementation of mutual goals and mechanism for problem solving.

6. Continuous evaluation based on the goals to ensure the plan is proceeding as intended and all stakeholders are carrying their share of responsibilities.

7. Timely resolution of all disputes at the lowest level possible during the project.

Clarifying Myths and Misconceptions: What Partnering Is and Is Not

Partnering Truths

Partnering clarifies and manages the issues together to control more of the overall project and to get to know enough about each other to increase trust.

Partnering includes alternative dispute resolution (ADR), but only as one of a number of strategies to improve communications.

Partnering attempts to coordinate aspects of the highly fragmented nature of design and construction.

Partnering helps project team members work structure and skills to address them.

Partnering asks participants to commit to individual tasks to resolve issues.

Partnering uncovers problems and provides communications of a project.

Misconceptions

"We are partnering. We just had lunch together.

"Partnering is really just the way we always used to do business, in the good old days."

"The formality of partnering will just get in the way of building trusting relationships."

"Partnering is just another label for ADR methods." "Partnering is 'design by committee.'"

"Partnering means I have to go along with the majority."

Isn't that enough?"