The adoption of integrated project delivery in public sector projects in New Zealand: the way forward

Abstract

The construction industry in New Zealand is responsible for around 40% natural resources, 30% energy consumption, and 30% greenhouse gases. The increased costs in natural resources, and energy, together with environmental concerns have pushed the demand for green buildings. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) process has emerged as an enabler for green buildings. Successful IPD combines the partnering concept and lean thinking, it addresses the participant’s expectations, cuts costs, eliminates waste, reduces variability and generates value for all the participants. Yet many public sectors owners, do not have the authority to adopt features of IPD. However, owners can benefit from the IPD philosophy and features to take advantage of some key benefits. The purpose of paper is to examine the IPD tools and techniques appropriate for public sector organizations in New Zealand and to examine the barriers that public sectors organizations face in New Zealand while adopting those IPD features. A pilot study was conducted to examine these issues, semi structured interview were carried out with four public sector construction industry specialists. The interviews revealed that there is a gap between current and best practice in the New Zealand construction industry that is impacting on the adoption of IPD or IPD approaches. To improve the delivery of public sector projects a checklist of specific IPD tools and techniques appropriate for NZ public sector projects has been developed.