Subcontractor Partnering: I'll Believe It When I See It

During a recent construction project, a special principle-based partnering process was developed. At the beginning of the project, the general contractor and the subcontractors met, away from the jobsite, for one full day to review the scope of the project, the site conditions, and the safety requirements, and to begin developing trust and open communications. The most important challenge was breaking the pattern of low trust that is common between general contractors and subcontractors. Throughout the life of the project, the general contractor's management personnel and the subcontractor's site supervision met weekly, on-site, to assess progress and sustain open communications. As a result, the subcontractors were rewarded with consistency of performance, great gains in technical and construction management knowledge, outstanding safety performance, tangible financial results, repeat business, greater loyalty from their employees, a satisfied client, and tremendous pride in a job well done.