Partnering – The Wave of the Future: For Cost-Effective Commercial Pool Construction
Although partnering is still unique to the pool industry, it has been utilized successfully on many projects throughout the United States.
Interestingly and most surprising is that partnering has developed more from the public sector than the private sector.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been using the method for years, and in fact, it is being promoted and practiced as policy in their construction projects. Charles Scheroer of the Corps, the agency that is generally recognized as the leader in implementing partnering, said it involves “putting a handshake back into the relationship.”
The General Services Administration was compelled into using partnering on a renovation project in San Francisco on a federal office building. According to Bernie Adamec, director of building standards and technology in GSA’s Office of Design and Construction, the attitudes of project team members “had deteriorated to the point where it was adversely impacting the deteriorated to the point where it was adversely impacting the job progress.” And now he states, “We’re convinced of it’s validity.”
An article appeared in Engineering News-Report on October 19, 1992 , written by Lester Edelman, Chief Counsel, and Frank Carr, Chief Trial Attorney, U.S. Corps of Engineers. The following are excerpts from that article:
“Partnering is a relatively new concept in the construction industry that is rapidly being adopted by owners ad contractors to improve working relationships, reduce litigation, and achieve the goals of all parties.”
“In partnering relationship, the parties seek to transform what is traditionally an adversarial relationship between the owner and contractor to a more collaborative and productive relationship.”
To become effective, partnering has some requirements. A mindset by all parties involved is necessary. It takes a commitment and dedication to the method from everyone involved in the project. No exceptions. There is a total devotion from conception to completion. An atmosphere and development of mutual respect, understanding, and teamwork are paramount. It requires people to cooperate and communicate at all levels, and be responsible for their participation performance.
With partnering, their only one real objective, and that is a successful completion of the project. Of course, that’s the way it should be with everything we do. But in the real world, unfortunately we are all susceptible to error. Error is not eh problem, and that is where the unfortunate part comes into being. Rather, it’s how the problem is resolved.
Traditionally, the attitude is, if a mistake is made, someone is going to pay. How many times have we heard, “call the lawyer”., or, “I’ll see you in court!”. We have been subjected to the adversarial traditions to often, and a lot of times when it wasn’t necessary. Why does a mistake put us in front of a judge? Probably because of lack of communication. We as human beings, are going to continue making mistakes. It’s how we, and others handle them that makes the difference in partnering.
The dictionary describes partner as, “one of two or more persons engaged in the same business enterprise and sharing its profits and risks’. There are four major factors in partnering. A total commitment to success at all levels; upper-level management support; open communications and trust; and having the right people to implement the methods.
Glenna Peterson, a project manager in Houston emphasized group problem-solving and group responsibility. She said “We learned that if one of us makes a mistake, the group is responsible for solving it”. That sure beats going to court.
So, who is in the group? Everyone, at all levels. The list of those involved should include:
Owner; Aquatic Director/Pool Manager/Technician; Aquatic Consultant/ Facilitator; Designer/ Architect/ Engineer; Contractor/ Sub-Contactors; Materials/ Equipment Suppliers; Financier; Insurer; Mediator/ Arbitrator/ Lawyer.
Partnering is teamwork, and it requires team participation. There are various steps and stages in establishing and implementing the process. Various members of the team will be utilized individually, partially, and completely, depending on specific need and requirements.
The procedure entails, but is not limited to:
- The owner and director determining the use and requirements.
- The director receiving in-put from the manager and technician.
- The consultant reviewing project expectations with owner and director, and assisting in continual development of the project.
- The owner, director, and consultant, determining and selecting the design team, facilitator, mediator and financier.
- The design team preparing the project documents, and assist in selecting the contractor.
- The contractor determining and selecting sub-contractors and material suppliers, and proceeding with the project as scheduled.
- The owner, consultant, and contractor determining the arbitrator if needed.
- The owner determining the lawyer, if needed.
Obviously, this is a very condensed and abbreviated explanation as to the procedure, and does not define, nor include all that is involved with in the construction of a commercial pool.
Partnering does not eliminate the inherent problems that deve3lop with construction, and it will not replace a written contract. The purpose is to amicably solve the problems as soon as they develop, at the lowest possible level, usually with people in the field. A limited time frame should be determined to resolve the problem, possibly within 48 hours.
The procedure normally begins before construction, but as with the federal building in San Francisco, it can be implemented after the project has started. Typically, an orientation or conference is conducted with representatives present from all parties involved in the project. The partnering process is introduced, along with teaching the management skills, and ways to improve the relationship and dialogue within the team.
The initial meeting is typically run by an outside consultant or facilitator that assists the team in developing the terms, or “charter” that all participants sign. This agreement corresponds with the projects scope, outlining the mutual goals and methods requi4ed for the success of the project.
Other elements usually include a team evaluation process to determine the progress or shortfalls, a process for evaluating areas that need improvement, and a procedure for implementing corrections the most expeditious way. One common approach is dispute resolution. With this mechanism, the owner and contractor each designate individuals within their respective organizations to work out the problem. Starting with the field level, and appointing people to resolve the dispute at all levels, to senior management. Individuals should be of similar levels so everyone is dealing with equals.
Partnering does not assume trickle-down power and control; it’s an effort of equals to accomplish a task. Equals are more likely to respect and accommodate the opinions of peers than are subordinates who are under the control of supervisors.
When a dispute does occur, an immediate attempt to resolve it must be made by the lowest level of individuals associated with it as soon as possible. If they are unable to accomplish it, the dispute moves on up to the next level where the two individuals have a similarly restricted time frame to reach a resolution. The process continues on until the dispute is successfully resolved.
To assist in keeping the disputes to a minimum, periodic meetings are held during the course of construction to evaluate members of he team, gauge their progress, discuss pending and potential problems, and reinforce the goals and principals. Partnering emphasizes avoiding disputes and delays by facilitating cooperation, trust, and communication between the parties.
The traditional adversarial relationship is explicitly rejected. Under the partnering agreement, all parties agree to seek a “win-win” solution to the problems, rather than solutions that favorite only one side. Recognizing that everyone is working toward the same goals on the project facilitates teamwork, and further contributes to the cooperative relationship. These goals focus on getting phases of the project built right the first time, on time, and for the agreed upon contract price.
The typical agreement could be as follows:
THE PARTNERING AGREEMENT
- We, the ___________, and the contractor, are committed to a positive utilization of TEAMWORK in the construction and contract administration of this project. We believe and expect that through TEAMWORK we will be able to provide a safe, quality pool completed on time and within budget.
- We are committed to the concept of prompt, equitable PROBLEM SOLVING, recognizing the individual interests and the common goals, such as ____days cycle time for problem resolution. We firmly believe that by open, sincere, trustful and objective communication, our PROBLEM SOLVING can be done predominately and in anticipation and prevention, thereby ensuring the success for all team members. Early identification, open communication, along with principled negotiations, are the tenets of our PROBLEM SOLVING commitment.
- We believe and expect, that this PARTNERING commitment will enable all team members to improve and expand their job performance. Further, we are committed to SHARING AND TRANSFERING these partnering characteristics of TEAMWORK AND PROBLEM SOLVING with, and to all people associated with this project, to enhance their participation and to achieve maximum success in all respects.
To further quote Mr.’s Edelman and Carr: “Owners and contractors need to recognize that partnering will not eliminate all disputes on the job site. Even in the best relationships, honest, good-faith differences of opinion can arise, and everyone knows that these differences can lead to disputes. However, these disputes do not have to destroy the partnering relationship. A trusting and cooperative partnership can be sustained even when the parties disagree. The solution is for the parties to plan to use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods whenever a dispute arises. Using ADR can provide the parties a framework for quickly and efficiently addressing disputes within a satisfying process.”
Partnering is not a panacea for all problems, and cannot be used to bail out a partner with serious financial and/or management problems. However, coupled with commitment from partners with ability and integrity, it is a tremendous positive force that can revolutionize the pool construction industries.
Whatever the length of time for the project, short term or long term, partnering makes good business sense.
