Problem resolution process to avoid disputes in partnering projects – The UK experience.

Over the past decade, partnering has been acknowledged in UK as a non-adversarial approach to procurement in the construction projects in the industry. The application of partnering concept has been extended to various types of projects. An essential component of any partnering agreement is a defined problem resolution process which deal with any problems as they arise, quickly and informally before a full blown dispute. It is claimed that the prominent benefits of employing this procurement method is reduction in litigation, better working environment and reduction in claims and change orders. A research has been undertaken to explore the problem resolution practice in partnered projects in the UK. A nationwide questionnaire survey was used to collect opinions from experienced partnering practitioners. The results highlighted that typical problems in partnering projects do not differ from the conventional non-partnered projects with client’s expectations and non-availability of information chosen as the common problems. The results also gave a positive feedback in demonstrating that problem resolution mechanism is an effective approach to dispute avoidance. Relationship maintenance between partners has been given utmost consideration in evaluating possible solutions to any given problem.