Title: Relationship and other Advanced Contracting Processes
Keywords: Contracts, project, contract, relationship, modern
Technical content: 70 %
Project Description:
Traditionally, engineering and construction contracts have been awarded on the basis of the lowest price submitted by contractors assessed as capable of delivering the contract and have been administered through what can be an adversarial approach involving the principal, the contractor and (usually) a superintendent.
Relationship contracting has now been in place for some time, particularly in complex projects with high risk, such as large projects that require innovative design and technological solutions.
The relationship contract is based on a relationship between clients and contractors that rewards innovation and performance. It is a flexible and aims to optimise project outcomes, and requires the selection of a contractor willing to work closely with the client and remain focused on the joint objectives of the team.
Another innovative contract now being used is Early Contractor Involvement, where a contractor is involved in the project at an early stage. Public private partnerships are similarly used for large projects.
There are a number of possible projects in this topic area. They include a study of the relationship contracting process or other advanced contracting processes, contract selection, management of relationship and alliance contracts, and studies of the benefits in using selected contract types.