For a Partnering Project to be fully successful there is "0" litigation and all partners feel very satisfied with the results. Success of a partnering project does not occur because you conduct a partnering workshop then get to work on the project. Maintenance of the relationship and working on the issues is an imperative. When partnering projects go wrong it is often because the maintenance has not progressed with the project itself. The partners do not share issues, track their solution process and do not use the issue resolution ladder. When they meet their agenda is not clear or the partners are not given the opportunity to submit issues for the agenda. The partners do not know how they are doing or what to do to improve their relationship. Taking the time and minor expense to initiate a partnering relationship is a useful approach as long as the partners follow-up on their agreements.

To battle this problem DLCG offers ongoing Partnering Coordination Services for our clients. On some large projects we assign a dedicated coordinator to:

• Conduct monthly Partnering assessments,
• Present Assessment results,
• Help the group address deficiencies uncovered in the assessments
• Track issues,
• Establish meeting agendas,
• Plan workshops,
• Coordinate with workshop facilitators, or
• Be the Dedicated workshop facilitator, and
• Document meeting results.

With smaller projects we offer the same services but with a coordinator that works several smaller projects. With these "part-time" coordinators they work out of our facilities and travel to onsite meetings, as required.

Charles Markert, PE, CPF 540-338-1255 Email Charlie

Wayne Vick, MBA, CPF 703-913-6513 Email Wayne