Use of progression planning tools in developing collaborative main contractor-subcontractor relationships in Norway

Abstract

The research programme was designed to investigate the relationship between uses of progression planning tools and main contractor subcontractor collaborative relationships. The research was carried out within two Norwegian construction companies where collaborative progression planning tools and methodologies based on the Last Planner system of production control was used. The scope of the research was to test whether such uses could positively affect the collaborative relationships between the contractors and project participants on the construction site. Collaborative relationships in this research referred to a working climate of joint efforts to bring construction projects forward. Literature claimed that adversarial relationships caused inferior productivity levels in the industry. Contractor relationships were assumed to influence how production processes were progressing. Thus developing collaborative relationships was assumed vital in order to improve productivity levels. The DBA research was based on case-studies (observation and interviews) and an quantitative survey in the two construction companies. Current research concluded that uses of progression planning tools may influence collaborative contractor relationships provided an equal attention is paid to structural and systematic approaches to collaborative planning, as to the social and relational dimensions, such as stimulating and motivating interaction and communication among project participants. The thesis provides detailed descriptions of the process elements. The study provides in depth insight into collaborative development processes in project based production settings. The results may be valuable for researchers who aim to further advance knowledge of the importance of participant relationships in the field of construction management. The results may also be of value to construction managers who wish to emphasise the collaborative aspects of conducting projects.