Partnering at the Forefront

What is Partnering? A Collaborative Philosophy in Construction

Although “Partnering” is a current buzzword in the construction industry, it is not a new term. Partnering on construction projects has been around for several years, with the earliest cited definition from the United States Corps of Engineers (USACE) dating back to 1991:

“Partnering is the creation of an owner-contractor relationship that promotes achievement of mutually beneficial goals. It involves an agreement in principle to share the risks involved in completing the project and to establish and promote a nurturing partnership environment. Partnering is not a contractual agreement, however, nor does it create any legally enforceable rights or duties. Rather, Partnering seeks to create a new cooperative attitude in completing government contracts. To create this attitude, each party must seek to understand the goals, objectives and needs of the other-their “win” situation and seek ways that these objectives can overlap” (USACE, 1991).

Partnering can occur both during the design and construction phases of a project. It can also be a commitment between the client, general contractor, designers, subcontractors or other key stakeholders. Partnering is not a legal agreement but a commitment to working as a team and establishing processes that create a mutually beneficial outcome. Some examples of partnering are developing a communication plan, identifying key stakeholders and creating an escalation matrix, having shared risk, or committing to putting the mission first.

Why Partnering Matters: The Proven Impact on Project Success

Studies on Partnering have proven that projects that put Partnering at the forefront save time and money. It’s likely you’ve been on a construction project that did not buy into the Partnering philosophy, and its success suffered because of it. USACE, citing the California Department of Transportation, Excellence in Partnering, 2020–2021, highlights the benefits of effective Partnering:

Contractor vs. Client: Unique Benefits of Partnering

Thomas S. Slater, P.E. also provides some insight into the different benefits of Partnering for contractors and clients in his Journal of Management in Engineering (Slater & P.E., 1998):

The USACE Approach: Commitment, Communication, and Collaboration

“USACE success depends on developing and maintaining partnerships with its stakeholders. It is important that we recognize the value that a diverse set of people groups, and organization can bring to mission delivery and actively seek out and invest in enduring partnerships across the mission delivery life cycle.

Sound partnerships require proactive engagement at all echelons of the organization and the embracement of a partnering mindset which embodies a set of behaviors rooted in three independent and mutually supportive elements: Commitment, Communication, and Collaboration” (USACE, 2021).

Breaking Down the Three Cs: Building Better Partnerships

Commitment:

• Always puts the mission first.

• Ensures leaders are invested and actively engaged.

• Seeks and establishes relationships founded on trust, transparency, accountability, and mutual respect.

• Embraces innovation and accepts measured risk.

Communication:

• Promotes clear, open, consistent, and timely communication.

• Fosters shared understanding.

• Solicits input to continuously learn, adapt, and improve.

• Resolves conflicts constructively and expeditiously.

Collaboration:

• Collectively sets and documents shared goals and expectations.

• Builds and sustains strong, cohesive, and diverse teams.

• Works together to proactively solve problems that achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

Routinely manages risk, relationships, and performance. (USACE, 2021)

Key Takeaways: Why Partnering is More Than a Buzzword

Understanding the ways of Partnering and executing it on construction projects benefits everyone on the team, creating a double victory. Spending the time to commit, communicate and collaborate has proven benefits, such as reduced project cost and duration. Studies show that “Partnering” is not just a construction buzzword but a philosophy that is at the forefront of successful construction projects.

McClain Acri

McClain has a comprehensive construction and project management background, focusing on the federal market. She has demonstrated capabilities in estimating, scheduling, budgeting, contract negotiations and quality control while ensuring compliance with company and regulatory requirements. McClain understands the importance of developing and maintaining strong relationships through effective communication to achieve maximum efficiency and productivity. She has a proven ability to navigate complex projects and manage multiple priorities at once within deadline constraints.