Description

The Partnering Summit is a time for both the State and contractors to envision, discuss, plan, and recharge the Partnering effort included on all MDT projects.  Open discussion, feedback, and specific goals for the upcoming season are developed.  Building strong relationships is necessary to work well together, and the Summit is a great opportunity for just that.  With time set aside each year to specifically address project culture, performance, and innovation, MDT and MCA members develop professional relationships. MDT, MCA and the FHWA have come together to institute a Construction Partnering program. Contractors who are awarded projects will be required to have field staff and supervisors trained in the partnering process.  This Partnering Summit will highlight and showcase the best projects that occurred during 2024, a discussion of lessons learned and how to best move forward in the future.  Two-half day sessions including dinner!  

Please be sure to stay for appetizers and drinks on Thursday evening at 5:30. For more information, contact Clarissa Martin at clmartin@mt.gov or (406) 417-1413. 

Construction Partnering is a structured process that brings a design and construction team together regularly throughout the life of a project. Partnering provides a space for communication, improved strategy, and issue resolution. Over time, partnered teams build trust, a reliable predictor of high performing teams. Through Partnering, fragmented teams coalesce and unify around a shared objective: successful project delivery. The benefits of partnering: $1 invested in Partnering = $114 saved Resolve issues and prevent disputes. The average claim in the US costs $29.6 million and takes 16 months to resolve. Achieve greater outcomes in terms of schedule, cost and quality Co-create goals and strategies to meet them Measure progress across the team Improve accountability Identify barriers and opportunities for success Gather lessons learned at closeout Partnering has been embraced by owner organizations and project teams across the construction industry. It has been in place more than 40 years, in Washington, Utah, Minnesota, Delaware, Michigan and dozens of contractors, cities, airports and utility districts. Partnering is the “how-to” of collaboration and has been established as a best practice by the Federal Highway Administration, Design-Build Institute of America and the  Construction Industry Institute. Elements of the Construction Partnering model: A neutral professional facilitator guides the Partnering process and balance the power in the room Partnering Specifications provides a road map for how you will Partner A charter is co-created by the team in the kick-off session, establishes goals and the strategies to meet them The Issue Resolution Process is established during kick-off session Anonymous surveys are sent to the team electronically once a month to track progress toward goals Follow-up sessions are held at least quarterly to update goals, identify issues and resolve them Lessons learned are shared upon project closeout