Our Approach to Partnering
What is Partnering?
Lots has been written about Partnering in
recent years. In its true sense, it is a structured management
approach to facilitate team working across agreed problem
resolution methods, and an active search for continuous
improvement.
In practice, partnering is divided into three types
- Strategic partnering - long
term alliances that continue across a series of project
opportunities
- Project partnering
- objective driven, tactical and shorter term in
approach
- Framework agreements
- packages a series of projects having a known life span
Our understanding of partnering
Partnering should not be confused with other good project
management practice. Long standing relationships, negotiated
contracts and preferred supplier arrangements lack the structure
and objective measures that must support a partnering
relationship.
Problem resolution
- A systematic approach
- Seeking resolution, not parties to blame
- More and better discussion – less paperwork, more constructive
correspondence
- Based on win-win solutions
- Equality of rights between parties
- Acceptance of the principle that adversarial attitudes waste
time and money
Mutual objectives
- Agree and commit to at the outset of the project
- Keep under review through meetings and effective
communications
- Focus on long term goals and sustain reasonable levels of
profitability
- Target benefits from 'Open Book' approach
- Build mutual trust by working for each other's success
Benchmark performance
- Establishing a culture of continued measured improvement
leading to enhanced performance.
- What can be measured?
- What Key Performance Indicators should be benchmarked?
- How do we know what the drivers of satisfaction are?