Experiences from Implementing a Collaborative Project Delivery Method

During the last decades, a change has happened in which the project delivery methodsProject delivery methods have been adapted to the increasingly complex projects. Essential elements are the focus on early involvement of key actorsActors, shared decision-making, risk, reward, etc. Although more projects are carried out in this manner, there are still unanswered questions about the effects and the project participants’ experiences. This chapter reports on a case project in Trondheim, Norway. Document studies, eight in-depth interviews, and observation of eight integrated concurrent engineering sessions have been conducted. The contractorContractors was involved early in the project. Thus, the delivery method acquired collaborationCollaborations among the contractorContractors, client, architect, and relevant consultants to find the optimal solutions. The study revealed several lessons for future collaborative projects. First, the client should set a more explicit financial framework, potentially leading to more favourable working conditions and time savings. In addition, elements such as shared goals and objectives should be updated and maintained throughout the project. Finally, cultural elements are less tangible and concrete and therefore seem less attended to in these projects. As a result, relationship building seems to be downgraded in times of uncertainty and time pressure. This underpins the importance of facilitating relationship building and other cultural elements through the project’s delivery method.