MODERNISING CONSTRUCTION
Comments by the Construction Products
Association
SUMMARY
The report has some very powerful messages both
for public sector clients of the construction industry and the
supply side. Its analysis of current problems is one that the
Association recognises and supports. Where we believe the report
falls down is in carrying forward some aspects of this analysis
into the specific recommendations, especially in respect of the
role that product manufacturers and suppliers can play in securing
"best value" construction for clients.
WHAT WE
WELCOME ABOUT
THE REPORT
The theme of the report is about removing the
old adversarialism that has been such a feature of the construction
industry in the past, and replacing it with effective partnering
relationships between clients and those who will deliver their
construction requirements. This will also help to secure more
innovative solutions as a result of the different parts of the
construction industry working together to achieve the best outcome
for the project, rather than the best short solution for each
of them individually. The importance of integrating the whole
supply chain is recognised as a key part of this. Paragraph 3
on page 4, for example, states:
"More attention to design and early involvement
of the whole construction team could also improve the operational
efficiency of completed buildings resulting in potentially greater
savings over the whole life of the building."
whilst paragraph 5 on the same page states:
"The entire supply chain including clients,
professional advisers, contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers
of materials must be integrated to manage risk and apply value
management and engineering techniques to improve buildability
and drive waste out of the process."
On page 9, the report acknowledges that the
majority of the industry research is commissioned by the construction
materials, components and systems suppliers, another good reason
why this part of the team needs to be involved at as early a stage
in the process as possible.
Finally, the second case study on page 10 illustrates
why specialist suppliers (amongst others) need to be involved
from the outset in order to advise on the likely impact of the
design on the costs and feasibility of construction, and to agree
realistic timetables.
WHERE THE
REPORT DISAPPOINTS
US
Unfortunately, the messages summarised above
are not reinforced when it comes to the report's recommendations
on pages 12 and 13. Indeed some of the recommendations almost
seem to contradict points made in the rest of the report. Inevitably
it is the recommendations that will provide the focus for the
follow-up action and, as a result, why these shortcomings are
of particular concern to us.
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