Effective partnering tools in construction: A case study on MTRC TKE contract 604 in Hong Kong

The use of a partnering approach to deliver construction projects seeks to avoid the confrontational setting where energy is used in a non-productive manner. Partnering calls for concerted effort from the project participants and aligns their often different and conflicting objectives. Reported partnering success stories are mostly descriptive. This paper reports a case study of a successful partnering venture in Hong Kong. The case study provides valuable information on how partnering was implemented by MTR Corporation Ltd., one of the pioneers in introducing partnering in the Hong Kong construction industry. Through interviews with the key contract participants and data collected throughout the contract period, the effective partnering tools were identified. It was found that the monthly partnering review meetings and the use of incentivisation underpinned the partnering success on the Tseung Kwan O Extension Contract 604. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd and IPMA. All rights reserved.