Owner-contractor work structures: Process approach

This paper describes a process to assist project managers, within owner companies, define work relationships between owners and their contractors for capital project development, and execution. The owner-contractor work structure process was developed by the Construction Industry Institute as a step-by-step process for making rational decisions about the most appropriate owner-contractor work structure for capital projects. A work structure is described by a set of project competencies and the extent of involvement of the owner and contractor in performing, leading, and/or providing input with respect to those project competencies. The process is described using a formal process modeling technique. Three case studies, conducted to validate the owner-contractor work structure process, are discussed. The results from these case studies suggested some basic changes to the process that would enhance its use in practice. A modified owner-contractor work structure process is then presented.