‘The persistent misconception that any arrangement other than single stage tendering should be seen as unusual was the primary rationale for this book’. So says the author, David Mosey, who was part of the Construction Industry Council (CIC) task force that produced the CIC guide to partnering and later authored PPC2000 (Project Partnering Contract, 2000).
At just over 200 pages and a hundred more in appendices, the book is a significant work and is a valuable read for anyone wanting to find out more about what has become known as early contractor involvement (ECI). It succeeds in joining up the key legal and project-management aspects of ECI. The book, which is based on Mosey’s research for a doctorate at King’s College, includes extensive footnotes, a literature review and an excellent bibliography. It is an interesting mix of the academic and the practical.
The book contains chapters with the following titles
ECI – an overview
Conditional contracts and early project processes
Problems and disputes under construction phase building contracts
ECI in design, pricing and risk management
Client leadership, communications and binding programmes
Contractual and non-contractual preconstruction options
Preconstruction commitments under framework agreements
Project management and project partnering
Obstacles to early contractor appointments
Government and industry views and experience
Conclusions.
Out in industry, clients are developing many different approaches to ECI. Many use a two-stage approach: often a professional services agreement followed by a typical construction contract. Mosey suggests that a ‘joined-up’ agreement for the parties involved is required. This needs to demonstrate that the full process is ideal and needs to set out a meaningful programme of activities in the pre-construction phase. Mosey covers such issues as joint risk management, early pricing, programme development and the selection and management of subcontractors well and looks at how these issues are covered by various standard forms of contract.
The case studies are interesting and useful: the focus on PPC2000 examples (10 out of 12, with two using the NEC) is perhaps indicative of the background of the author and the fact that Mosey designed PPC2000 as a single contract for all parties.
Partnering needs to be supported by effective contracts, and well-managed ECI can and does further facilitate partnering and effective project delivery. ECI is becoming gradually more popular in the UK supported by various forms of contract, including the NEC. This will most likely also develop in the international market. Reading Mosey’s book will help you to contribute.
