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PARTNERING

When the project owner is depending on you and your partners to execute your work seamlessly, don’t skip pre-proposal, kick-off and milestone partnering sessions! Different teams have different styles and getting on the same page is critical. And it’s not fair to have the project leader facilitate this: he or she should be an active participant. Look to a neutral party professional, like Distinguished Communications.

The purpose of partnering is to bring together all key stakeholders—owner, contractor, designer, and major subcontractors—to establish collaboration, communication, and mutual goals before and during the project. Through this critical process, we will align expectations, prevent conflicts, and create a shared vision of success as follows:

 

🏗️ 1. Introductions and Relationship Building

  • Participants: Include representatives from the owner, general contractor, major subcontractors, design team, and any necessary third parties.

  • Purpose: Break down silos, encourage openness, and build trust.

  • Activities: Icebreakers, and personal introductions that highlight roles, experience, and individual, unique goals for the project.

 

🎯 2. Project Overview and Objectives

  • Presented by the Owner or Project Manager: Covers scope, schedule, budget, and key success factors.

    • What success looks like for each stakeholder.

    • Critical milestones and constraints.

    • Shared understanding of the project’s purpose and end users.

 

🧭 3. Developing a Shared Mission, Vision, and Values

  • Collaboratively Crafted Statements: Reflect the team’s commitment to safety, quality, communication, schedule, and cost.

  • Creation of a “Partnering Charter” signed by all attendees to guide decisions and behaviors throughout the project.​

 

💬 4. Roles, Responsibilities, and Expectations

  • Clarify decision-making authority and communication flow.

  • Define roles for owner reps, designers, GC, and subcontractors.

  • Set expectations for meetings, reporting, documentation, and coordination.

 

🕊️ 5. Communication and Conflict Resolution Protocols

  • Create a clear escalation ladder for issues  

  • Agree on response times, documentation, and how to address disagreements constructively.

 

🧩 6. Project Risks and Opportunities Workshop

  • Jointly identify potential risks to schedule, budget, or safety.

  • Brainstorm proactive strategies to mitigate risks.

  • Discuss opportunities for innovation, sustainability, or process improvement.

 

🛡️ 7. Safety and Quality Alignment

  • Affirm commitment to safety and quality as non-negotiables.

  • Share best practices, lessons learned, and accountability structures.

 

📅 8. Partnering Implementation Plan

Determine how the team will maintain the partnering spirit:

  • Regular check-ins or mini partnering sessions.

  • Periodic surveys to assess team alignment.

  • Joint performance reviews or “pulse checks.”

 

✍️ 9. Partnering Charter Signing

  • All participants sign a document summarizing shared goals, principles, and commitments.

  • Recommend this be displayed in the job trailer as a visible reminder of team collaboration.

 

🎉 10. Team Building

  • Group activities to help the team connect are strongly encouraged.

  • A combination of social, charitable and facilitator-led programs are best

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