Optimal time for contractors to enter infrastructure projects A case study of a Swedish ECI project

Abstract

The design- and construction stage of infrastructure projects are often two separate, fragmented processes. Early contractor involvement (ECI) is a project delivery method where the goal is to include construction knowledge into the design phase. This is done by procuring the contractor during the design phase of a project. There are different approaches to which time the contractor is introduced. This thesis aims to identify which aspects that are affected by the timing of the contractor’s involvement, and to suggest the optimal time for contractors to enter infrastructure projects. In order to do this, an empirical study was conducted, where nine representatives from an ongoing Swedish ECI road project were interviewed. The studied project was procured by the Swedish Transport Administration, and the contractor entered the project at the beginning of the design phase, before a land acquisition plan had been developed. This is the first time in Sweden that a contractor has been procured this early in a road project. The empirical study was supported by a literature review focusing on the concept, benefits, and barriers of ECI, as well as a document study of the processes included in the development of a land acquisition plan. The findings from the interviews show that responsibility, understanding, innovation, risk management, relationship building and implementation are the aspects that have been affected due to ECI. By analyzing and discussing the results, it was concluded that involving the contractor as early as in the studied has been beneficial, and that involving the contractor as early as possible in infrastructure project is favorable