Looking Beyond the Obvious - Construction Partnering Facilitation

November 30, 2023
# min read
Doug Brown

Exploring the Advantages of Implementing a Well-Run Formal Construction Partnering Session

Implementing a well-run formal construction partnering session filled with seasoned participants reveals many advantages extending far past initial perceptions. These sessions, when effectively managed, can transform the landscape of a construction project in profound ways:

  1. Fostering Enhanced Collaboration and Teamwork: These sessions can create an environment where stakeholders, including project owners, contractors, subs, and suppliers, collaborate effectively. This harmony fosters a team-oriented problem-solving approach, streamlining project execution.
  2. Building Long-Term Relationships and Trust: Successful partnering nurtures long-term business relationships, building trust that can reduce unhealthy conflict during negotiations and build stronger future partnerships.
  3. Promoting Improved Communication: Regular meetings and structured communication channels within these sessions can clarify expectations, address concerns promptly, and reduce potential misunderstandings and conflicts.
  4. Facilitating Effective Conflict Resolution: An open dialogue platform helps in early identification and resolution of conflicts, minimizing delays and preempting legal disputes.
  5. Prioritizing Enhanced Safety Measures: A collective focus on safety is crucial. Partnering encourages the necessary attitudes of increased awareness and proactive management regarding safety issues.
  6. Enabling Efficient Decision-Making: The collaborative environment allows quicker, more efficient decision-making, expediting processes that might otherwise be time-consuming.
  7. Streamlining Project Planning and Management: Integrating diverse expertise can lead to more effective project planning, including resource allocation, scheduling, and risk management.
  8. Improving Risk Management: All parties' collective insights can help accurately forecast and mitigate risks, leading to a more resilient approach to the project.
  9. Achieving Cost and Resource Savings: No one wants to squander assets. By better aligning all parties towards common goals, partnering can reduce delays, minimize rework, and optimize resource use, contributing to staying within budget.
  10. Sparking Innovation and Creativity: The diverse perspectives in these sessions can lead to innovative ideas for project execution, materials, or construction techniques, enhancing efficiency and design.
  11. Ensuring Quality Improvement: A shared vision of success among all parties places a heightened focus on quality, leading to outcomes that meet or exceed project specifications.
  12. Increasing Stakeholder Satisfaction: Improved project outcomes, fewer disputes, and the inclusivity of all voices enhance the satisfaction of clients, contractors, and end-users.
  13. Advocating Environmental and Social Responsibility: Partnering sessions can foster sustainable practices and social responsibility, enhancing the project's value to the community and environment.
  14. Ensuring Legal and Regulatory Compliance: The collective expertise ensures adherence to legal and regulatory requirements, avoiding potential legal complications.


In summary, formal construction partnering sessions not only contribute substantially to a project's success in terms of completion and cost, but this holistic approach also fosters a positive, collaborative, and innovative work environment that extends beyond mere efficiency, embracing safety, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, thereby solidifying its role as a cornerstone of successful construction management.

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