Towards Better Performing Projects: The Impact of Collaborative Project Delivery Models on Project Performance

Abstract

There is broad acknowledgment that engineering and construction projects face certain problems. Some projects do not reach their goals, end up unfinished, have large cost overruns, or are delayed. One strategy for addressing these problems is the development of collaborative project delivery models (CPDMs). Researchers and practitioners have recently turned their attention towards collaborative arrangements and new CPDMs, and there is a need for more research to explore the link between project-based collaboration and project performance, especially in the case of CPDMs that lack empirical-based evidence regarding performance.

The purpose of this research has been to develop a better understanding of how to succeed with CPDMs, project partnering and project alliancing, by increasing the understanding of how factors in these CPDMs could influence project performance to achieve better performing projects in the future.

The contribution of this research narrows the research gap in relation to project-based collaboration (i.e. the relationship between project participants’ collaboration and project performance) by providing insights into factors in these CPDMs that are important for project performance. Having more understanding and insights into CPDMs within the construction industry and oil and gas industry should enable improvement in engineering and construction projects in the future. Education of project members is vital to ensure successful implementation at the project level and to ensure that the outcome of using the CPDMs is successful. Positive outcomes point to several benefits that can be obtained by adopting a more collaborative approach.

The theoretical contribution of this dissertation adds to the general knowledge of CPDMs, thus advancing the general understanding, which would make it easier to gain better insights into these collaborative arrangements before they are used in practice. The practical contribution of this dissertation is related to real case studies, and the dissertation suggest practical approaches to understanding how to succeed with the CPDMs in order to achieve better performing projects in the future.