Forms of Collaboration in Civil Engineering

In course CME4850 a review is given of the most common forms of collaboration (contracts) in managing a project in civil engineering by several companies and organizations. The course discusses the state of the art. This is done in a fundamental way but the theory is clarified by means of practical examples illustrated by visiting lecturers. The course aims at preparing students fundamentally for the various forms of collaboration they will engage during his professional career. However it is emphasized that little attention will be paid to the literal contents of the various contracts. It is a matter of insight so that later on correct choices can be made for the appropriate form of contract for a specific type of project.

The course is a synthesis of aspects in procurement, contracting and contract management which are partly also given in other courses. The course is both an introduction to the business of building projects for more technically oriented students as a course for more building management oriented students with practical references.

• The course changes from year to year as new developments will be incorporated and older ones will be less focused upon.

• The following subjects will be dealt with:

• Be able to formulate and execute a contract strategy based upon the project ahead and the identity of their own organization;

• The principles of a governmental tender system

• Principles of an agreement and the elements that play a role in collaboration are discussed

• The control and contract management of a project in relation to collaboration forms

• The contract and the corresponding components such as tasks, responsibilities and authorities

• The systems of reimbursement as a function of contract form

• Risks, risk distribution, risk management, in various contract forms

• The family of design en construct, DBM, DBFM, DBFM, partnering, alliances, public private partnership, two phase contracts.

• Practical examples illustrated by visiting lecturers

• International forms of collaboration like FIDIC and NEC4

• The selection and choice of a contract partner

• New developments in different countries.

Summary

The building industry is mostly project based. This often causes supply chains to be organised project by project. Parties in the building industry can choose between various forms of collaboration and contract models. Nowadays sometimes also portfolio's, group of projects, are tendered together.

The different forms of collaborations are derived from the economic concepts such as value, price and cost. The course has a theoretical character but its contents is illustrated by means of practical examples by guest lecturers. The following forms of collaboration are dealt with: traditional contract, building team, general contracting and the families of Design en Construct. Discussed will be the contract-content with tasks, obligations, authorities, responsibilities, liabilities, systems of reimbursement and risk division.

The following models of contract are discussed: design en construct, partnering, alliances, 2-phase contracts, public private partnership, risk management, risk sharing and contracts that deal with the organization during building.