Short answer

Prioritize the establishment of trust and open communication frameworks when engaging in or proposing collaborative project delivery models.

Field
Innovation & Design
Source
Construction Economics and Building (2015)
Method
Consolidated case study analysis
Sample
61 project alliances
Evidence
Strong effect

Project alliancing, a collaborative procurement strategy, consistently outperforms traditional methods in delivering public infrastructure projects, provided that essential preconditions like strong communication and trust are established. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Construction Economics and Building. Using Consolidated case study analysis with 61 project alliances, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize the establishment of trust and open communication frameworks when engaging in or proposing collaborative project delivery models.

Study
Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Project Alliancing Delivers Superior Infrastructure Value When Key Preconditions Are Met

Project alliancing, a collaborative procurement strategy, consistently outperforms traditional methods in delivering public infrastructure projects, provided that essential preconditions like strong communication and trust are established.

Construction Economics and Building · 2015

01

Key Findings

  • 01Project alliancing often provides best value and superior value for money compared to traditional procurement approaches.
  • 02Communication and trust between executive leadership and operational management teams are major factors in alliance functioning.
  • 03Several key factors are necessary preconditions for successful alliances.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Prioritize the establishment of trust and open communication frameworks when engaging in or proposing collaborative project delivery models.

How to apply

When evaluating procurement strategies for large-scale infrastructure projects, consider the benefits of alliancing and ensure that mechanisms for fostering trust and communication are integral to the proposed model.

Project actions

  • 01When researching procurement methods, look for studies that compare different approaches.
  • 02Consider how communication and trust can be measured and improved in your own design projects.
03

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the key factors and emerging trends that contribute to the successful performance of project alliances in Australasian infrastructure development?
MethodConsolidated case study analysis
ProcedureThe research consolidated findings from three studies of completed construction project alliances between 2008 and 2012, analyzing data from 61 projects to identify performance trends and success factors.
Sample61 project alliances
ContextPublic infrastructure engineering projects in Australasia

Variables

IVProcurement method (Project Alliance vs. Traditional)
DVProject performance (value, cost, time, stakeholder satisfaction)
CVProject type (public infrastructure), geographical region (Australasia), project scale
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Consolidates data from multiple studies for a broader perspective.
  • +Identifies specific factors contributing to success.

Limitations

The findings are specific to infrastructure projects in Australasia and may not directly apply to other project types or regions.

Reliability & validity

The consolidation of multiple studies enhances reliability. Validity is supported by the focus on completed projects, but potential biases in reporting or data collection across studies should be considered.

Think critically

Given the decline in alliance activity due to policy changes, how can the principles of trust and communication be integrated into alternative procurement models to retain their benefits?

05

Design Principles

"Collaborative procurement models require a foundation of trust and transparent communication to achieve optimal project value."

Understanding the success factors of collaborative procurement models like alliancing is crucial for optimizing project delivery in complex infrastructure development. By identifying and fostering the necessary preconditions, design and engineering teams can significantly improve project outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and overall value.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Working together in a 'project alliance' is often better for big building projects than traditional ways, but only if everyone trusts each other and talks openly.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing the benefits of collaborative design and procurement strategies in your design project.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that collaborative procurement models, such as project alliancing, can yield superior value and performance in infrastructure development compared to traditional methods. However, the success of these alliances is contingent upon establishing critical preconditions, notably fostering robust communication and trust between all stakeholders, particularly at executive and operational levels.

09

Source

Construction Economics and Building

Performance of Project Alliancing in Australasia: a Digest of Infrastructure Development from 2008 to 2013

journal · 2015

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about project alliancing delivers superior infrastructure value when key preconditions are met?
Prioritize the establishment of trust and open communication frameworks when engaging in or proposing collaborative project delivery models. Evidence: Construction Economics and Building (2015).
Why does "Project Alliancing Delivers Superior Infrastructure Value When Key Preconditions Are Met" matter for design?
Understanding the success factors of collaborative procurement models like alliancing is crucial for optimizing project delivery in complex infrastructure development. By identifying and fostering the necessary preconditions, design and engineering teams can significantly improve project outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and overall value.
How can designers apply this research?
Prioritize the establishment of trust and open communication frameworks when engaging in or proposing collaborative project delivery models.
What were the main findings?
Project alliancing often provides best value and superior value for money compared to traditional procurement approaches.. Communication and trust between executive leadership and operational management teams are major factors in alliance functioning.. Several key factors are necessary preconditions for successful alliances.
What research method was used?
Consolidated case study analysis with 61 project alliances.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from Construction Economics and Building.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When evaluating procurement strategies for large-scale infrastructure projects, consider the benefits of alliancing and ensure that mechanisms for fostering trust and communication are integral to the proposed model.
What are the limitations?
The study focuses on a specific period (2008-2013) and geographical region (Australasia), and recent policy changes may affect current applicability.