How Trust Creates More Value on Capital Projects
Trust is a catalyst for innovation. And as owners and project teams continue to grapple with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) on large capital projects, innovation is in high demand.
Senior Project Manager Greg Rambo addressed the topic of trust during a panel presentation on “How Enduring Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Relationships Are Building Certainty and Improving Capital Efficiency Beyond a Single Project.” He was joined by representatives from Procter & Gamble (P&G), SteelFab, Southland Industries, and THP Limited to discuss how trust created greater value across multiple P&G projects. The panel was part of the 2023 CURT National Conference.
The key to establishing trust on an IPD team is to build relationships — both professional and personal. For a new team, this may require intentional team-forming activities, such as scheduled outings. Over time, team outings become spontaneous and real friendships form. When that happens, attitudes shift from “that’s not my job” to “we’ve got this.” This creates multiple advantages for individual team members as well as the IPD team as a whole, including:
- More hands on deck. When teams operate from a place of trust, team members feel safer flagging potential issues before they become schedule-stopping problems. Rather than pointing fingers, the team can come together to devise a solution.
- Broader exposure to best practices. On an IPD project, team members align their execution plans against a shared goal. When they trust each other, project partners are more open to sharing their best practices during this process. By pooling ideas for how to best design and execute the project, everyone benefits.
- Greater capacity for innovation. When project partners trust each other to deliver on their promises, they don’t need to sweat the small stuff. Instead, the team can focus on developing solutions to make the project exceptional.
- Smarter use of resources. As project partners gain a better understanding of each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities, they will find ways to fill in gaps or reduce duplication. For example, by coordinating equipment rentals, the team can make sure it has the right type and units of equipment on site — no more and no less.
- A fresh perspective. Trust creates openings for project partners to challenge norms and standards with more cost-effective or efficient solutions. Even small innovations can add up to significant savings over the course of a project.
Trust builds on itself, and the benefits multiply for teams that move across projects together. These teams are better able to anticipate needs, optimize design, uncover cost savings, realize schedule efficiencies, reduce complexity, and boost productivity. Watch the panel discussion to learn more about how trust led to significant, cost-saving innovations for P&G.
Contact us to discuss how IPD can bring more value to your next project.
Work With Us
Let’s build our legacy, together
Whether you’re looking for a collaborative partner on your next construction project or a rewarding career opportunity, we are here to support and guide you toward future success.