PARTNERING AWARDS
Collaboration 2019
The 10th Annual Awards Ceremony and Conference
W
Day 1
Satero, Airport Director at San Francisco
Project Partnering in the Digital Age—Nathan C. Wood, SpectrumAEC
International Airport and IPI Board
Attending his first IPI conference, Nathan Wood, Chief Enabling
President delivering the “state of IPI”
Officer at SpectrumAEC presented the use of technology to
e kicked off Collaboration 2019 with Ivar
address, covering highlights of recent accomplishments
improve project outcomes and the challenges and benefits it
as well as future plans. Through the efforts of IPI, over
produces. Nathan began stating that “technology may be the
20 Owner Agencies are utilizing language provided by IPI
catalyst for digital transformation, but it’s only as effective as
to require Partnering in their construction specifications.
the people using it and their ability to communicate and execute
According to a recent report by the FHWA, twenty-seven DOT’s
consistently. The best way to motivate change is through shared
throughout the US have adopted a formalized Partnering
purpose and a culture of trust between project stakeholders.
Program and more airports and municipalities are making
Shared purpose is driven by aligned contract incentives (Design-
partnering a part of their
Build, IPD), and the culture of trust is built through the Partnering
culture. Structured collaborative
process.” Be on the lookout for a future webinar featuring
Partnering is not a “California
Nathan sharing his expertise on integrating technology and
secret.” Over 40% of this year’s
teams to improve collaboration.
award-winning projects were includes a winning project from
Exploring the Relationship between Lean and Partnering— Eric Sanderson, Red Rocks Advisors, LLC
Manitoba, Canada and Partnering
This panel consisted of Lean expert, Sean Graystone, Consultant
Champion from Sydney, Australia.
with Project Leadership and Delivery LLC, Walt Terry,
Ivar continued by sharing what’s
Construction Executive with Skanska USA and Ivan Ramirez,
coming, including a new webinar series, Young Professionals
Director of Construction at Contra Costa Transportation
Group, additional networking events and a new award category
Authority. Initiatives like Lean and Partnering are shaping the
to recognize collaborative teams that deliver exceptional
future of the construction industry. The panel discussed these
projects, but have not yet utilized Partnering.
two approaches and agreed that they have become more widely
from outside California. This
accepted throughout the industry. There are more opportunities Here are a few highlights from the presentations and panel
to examine how they may complement one another and
discussions during the two-day event.
potentially improve the effectiveness of both.
Partnering in any construction type or delivery method— Paul Crotty, Ventura Consulting
Dynamics of Collaboration—Stuart Seiden, Mary-Alice Avila, Avila and Seiden, Architects
Two key points that stood out as being central to this discussion
This was a live collaborative, team problem solving exercise to
were; what characteristics of a project team makes them
highlight the impact “team dynamics” play in the development
successful, and; did these characteristics change for different
of a project. In this session, “Team A” was given a project to
construction types or delivery method used? The discussion
work on to resolve a problem. The audience took an active role
was rich with opinions of what makes a successful team, and
in judging how the team used Partnering principles to work
the answers were fairly consistent, that trust, open and honest
through the challenge. It was interesting to see the dynamics of
communication and aligned goals were at the top of the list.
communication and the sharing of knowledge when presented
A discovery was made by those attendees who have heard or
with a challenge.
believed that Partnering was more effective with certain types
This session was a
of delivery methods or construction types, when in reality,
learning experience
trust, honest communication and aligned goals are at the
for both participants
foundation of all successful projects.
and the audience.
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Partnering Magazine Summer 2019
What makes a successful team?...trust, open and honest communication, and aligned goals are at the top of the list. www.partneringinstitute.org