Project owners and their design professional consultants are increasingly using more of the techniques of team construction as they plan, design and construct projects. “Team construction” describes a deliberate effort by owners and their consultants to select and utilize contract provisions, project management techniques and dispute avoidance/resolution processes that enhance communication, trust building and sharing of information.

Decreased overall project costs, faster project completion and fewer disputes and claims are the primary reasons for the expanding use of team construction techniques.

Those who have not developed a design/build practice or are not allowed (by statute or other limitation) to perform design/build projects can realize many of the design/build contracting benefits by utilizing select design/build techniques, such as teaming and other team construction techniques. The ability to use many design/build techniques in traditional design/bid/build contracting is an underutilized method of improving project performance and success.

The decision to implement team construction techniques can be made at any stage of a project. But the most significant benefits are achieved by implementing the techniques at an early stage of the project. Project construction costs can be reduced by as much as 20%.

Selection of appropriate contract delivery systems and project risk allocation programs are two examples of early planning decisions that can have a significant influence on the likelihood of a successful project.

The traditional reliance of owners on risk avoidance contracting and adversarial methods of contract management present challenges to successful implementation of team construction techniques. However, even projects that use risk avoidance contracting (one-sided contracts) can realize significant benefits of team construction by selecting appropriate contract management approaches. Research indicates project team building, constructability reviews and effective dispute resolution can reduce project construction costs as much as 14%.

Project participants can implement team construction techniques at any phase of the project. CSG has performed many of the following team construction activities on non-design/build and design/build projects. A comprehensive outline for implementing design/build techniques and other team construction approaches in traditional design/bid/build projects is set forth below.

Outline for Implementing Team Construction Techniques

• Owner contracting practices workshop, to explore team construction techniques, and identify implementation strategies and address barriers.



• Assessment of owner’s contracting practices and identification of enhancements to implement team construction techniques.



• Evaluate specific projects for suitability of design/build or other alternative contract delivery method.



• Draft sections for a Statement of Qualifications, Request for Proposal and Scope of Work specifications to identify and select a design professional with appropriate experience and expertise to have the capability to successfully implement/use team construction techniques.



• Implementing appropriate construction expertise during the project planning, design development and detailed design phases.



• Identify additional design professional services that can reduce overall project costs, shorten project schedules and improve likelihood of successful project for owner.



• Owner-design team evaluation of project risk allocation matrix and development of project risk allocation program.



• Draft sections in construction contract bid documents to implement team construction techniques, including partnering, project communications, dispute avoidance/early resolution and dealing with unqualified bidders.



• Contractor award and kickoff meeting content dealing with implementing team construction, including senior management buy-in and support.



• Select a partnering approach and facilitator that meets specific project needs. Focus on implementation of partnering over life of project, and interrelation with dispute resolution program.



• Draft sections of project management manual on project electronic data and expedited communications and information exchange procedures.



• Draft sections of project management manual on submittal reviews or approvals.



• Draft change management practices and procedures, clarifying that partnering and cooperation do not alter contractual requirements.



• Prepare methodology to address contractor requests for additional compensation or schedule extensions under the contract, implementing a team construction approach.



• Insurance risk assessment to evaluate potential benefits of team construction for pricing of project insurance.



• Assessment of project in trouble to identify causes and remedial actions.

Team construction techniques provides valuable benefits to project owners, design professionals and contractors. However, it does require special documents and practices by project participants to be effectively implemented.

Contact CSG for project specific solutions or advice on improving project performance by effective implementation of team construction techniques.