WP042: Beyond Partnering: Rethinking Project Management

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Abstract/Contents

Abstract: At its core, this paper is about information and how it can be used to better manage construction projects. Starting from a case example, we critique current approaches to project management. Current best practice, including partnering, copes only with the speedy resolution of uncertainty and complexity in the construction process and lacks an ability to optimally resolve problems. We generalize this viewpoint drawing from economic coordination theory and production theory. These theoretical perspectives suggest that traditional construction planning and control systems (and associated contractual and organizational assumptions) need to be rethought. An organizational and contractual system that allows firms to work together to optimally and speedily solve problems is needed. Dimensions of such a system are discussed and a comparison between construction and current best practice in manufacturing is drawn to highlight both possibilities for construction and aspects of the project management process that are unique.

Type of resource	text
Date created	November 1995

Author	O'Brien, William

Subject	CIFE
Subject	Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
Subject	Stanford University
Subject	Economic Coordination Theory
Subject	Partnering
Subject	Production Theory
Subject	Project Management
Genre	Technical report

Location	https://purl.stanford.edu/rg862zd0157

Use and reproduction: User agrees that, where applicable, content will not be used to identify or to otherwise infringe the privacy or confidentiality rights of individuals. Content distributed via the Stanford Digital Repository may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor.

Preferred Citation: O'Brien, William. (1995). WP042: Beyond Partnering: Rethinking Project Management. Stanford Digital Repository. Available at: http://purl.stanford.edu/rg862zd0157

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