Partnering the Negotiated Project

Fast Track Project?

Extraordinary project results and excellence rarely happen just as a consequence of circumstances and good intentions. They require common goals and a specific game plan, grounded in personal commitments to action.

What is a "high performance team" and how can this contribute to my project's success?

First of all, on negotiated construction projects we assume at least a minimal level of trust and good intentions. We say, however, that a "high performance team" goes well beyond this. We equate "high performance teams" with true project excellence and extraordinary project results – in schedule, cost, quality, and safety.

To realize these outcomes on a construction project requires common goals and a specific game plan to achieve those goals as a team. As in life and sports, extraordinary results and excellence rarely happen just as a consequence of circumstances and good intentions.

Yes, but why do we need an outside facilitator? Can't we do it ourselves?

Consider that construction projects today are inherently more complex and involve exponentially more players than several years ago. How do you quickly enable this large, diverse and highly specialized group to come together as a team? How can they be challenged to "think outside the box"? And how can individuals be encouraged to make very specific, personal commitments?

As third party facilitators skilled in the construction process, we can enable project teams to realize these outcomes sooner, rather than later. Additionally, many of our clients tell us that it is virtually impossible for them to both facilitate a large meeting and participate simultaneously. Why is it, after all, that even professional all-star teams have coaches?

As an owner with a solid contract, why should I collaborate with my developer, contractor and designer?

Contracts speak to minimal outcomes and requirements. We make the assumption that the vast majority of developers, contractors and designers want to be part of a project that goes well beyond "business as usual" and that "makes a difference" with one caveat. That is, as long as it does not require them to work longer, harder or more expensively. Our workshops give owners, contractors, developers, and designers the opportunity to create true, win-win, "break-through" results that are achieved by working collaboratively.

Fast Track Project?

Our workshop process enables project teams to significantly expedite, not accelerate, project completion. In our experience, the biggest opportunity for expediting a project schedule comes from having a project team genuinely committed to a common goal. We then challenge the team to develop specific processes for: developing a team project schedule; expediting design; submittals; RFI's; permitting; changes, etc.

Okay, but what exactly do you do in your workshops?

First, let us tell you what we do not do. We don't "do" psychological stuff, games or lectures. Nor do we bore attendees with overheads or videos. We assume that the majority of our workshop participants know the importance of working as a team and have been through "team building 101."

Neither are our sessions "feel good" experiences. Rather, we challenge them to set "breakthrough" project goals and then enable them to develop a very specific game plan grounded in personal commitments. We back this up with a conflict resolution process.

But you don't understand our project's unique circumstances.

We are not there to "tell" your people what to do. Our experience is that you and your people know your business better than any outside "expert".

Our role is facilitative, not directive. Additionally, prior to any client workshop, we seek to understand through individual interviews, your unique project circumstances, challenges and opportunities. This enables us to "hit the deck running", so to speak.

This workshop will involve a significant amount of our time. What assurances do we have?

We provide two "guarantees". First, if at the conclusion of a VCG workshop you feel that a "significant" impact has not been made in predictable project results, we will forego one half of our professional fee, no questions asked.

Secondly if, within 60 days of a VCG workshop, relations between workshop participants become "adversarial", we will facilitate a 1/2 day review session for no charge.

What is the format of your workshops?

Depending on project scope and complexity, our workshops can be structured in one day; one and 1/2 day; or, two day formats. We can accommodate up to 40 participants given the highly interactive nature of these sessions.

What's the difference between these workshops and "partnering"?

Partnering is a process that many equate with public sector projects. We do facilitate "partnering" workshops. Our process with negotiated projects, as noted, assumes a relationship and initial level of trust that one can not assume on most public sector projects.

How do we get started?

Call our office today for further information. We will also be glad to provide references of projects which we have facilitated.

"Ventura Consulting has significantly enabled Koll Development to work collaboratively with all project stakeholders toward achieving extraordinary project results."
– Dick Ortwein, President, Koll Development Company

"Our people want to focus on developing relationships and important project specific issues right away. The Ventura Consulting Group moves right into a team approach to generating solutions to project problems and opportunities. Their follow up workshops keep everyone working together for project success."
– Chuck Avery, Vice President, McCarthy Brothers Construction