KCA/KDOT
PARTNERING
PROGRAM

"Through partnering, KDOT and KCA are committed to enhancing our ability to perform and achieve common goals by increasing the effectiveness of our working relationships."

THE HISTORY OF THE PARTNERING PROGRAM

The KCA and KDOT began a partnering program effort in November 1991. A task force was created to review adversarial relationships between KDOT and contractor field personnel. From this task force study, a joint KDOT/KCA Committee was formed and the first Partnering Workshop was held in January 1992. In subsequent years, annual workshops were conducted to establish and affirm the partnering concept and process for KDOT and KCA member employees. Partnering is always encouraged and project specific workshops were held for larger construction projects across the state. As a result, the KDOT/KCA Partnering Program had an extremely positive and effective impact on the successful completion of the Comprehensive Highway Program. Likewise, it will play a critical role in the administration and completion of the Comprehensive Transportation Program.

WHAT IS PARTNERING?

Simply stated, partnering means working TOGETHER instead of against each other. More precisely, partnering can best be described as a managerial philosophy that attempts to improve construction project development, deployment, and management through good old-fashioned teamwork among all parties involved.

PARTNERING IS:

• A process for relationship building
  
• Each party understanding each other's obligations
  
• Maintaining an attitude of goodwill and trust
  
• Working together without being adversaries
  
• A commitment to open and honest relationships
  
• Going out of your way to look at issues from the other party's point of view
  
• A commitment to performance
  
• A means to create cost efficiency
  
• A commitment to cooperate and communicate
  
• Sharing risks
  
• A win-win attitude
  

PARTNERING IS NOT:

• An adversarial attitude
  
• Where dollars control the issues and situation
  
• Relief from the specifications
  
• Control and command
  
• Giving in for the sake of moving on
  
• A cure-all
  
• Seeking out and taking advantage of the other party's weakness
  
• An excuse for poor performance
  
• Scorekeeping
  
• Win-win if quality is allowed to suffer
  
• Easy

RESULTS OF SUCCESSFUL PARTNERING

A quality project *
Built safely
On time
Within budget
Least inconvenience to public

* WHAT IS A QUALITY PROJECT?

doing the right thing;
doing it the right way;
doing it right the first time;
doing it on time, and;
doing it the same way every time (replicate).

 

"Created and devised with common sense, sound logic, and human qualities that often go untested in today's business world - honesty, integrity and commitment."



 

PARTNERING CHARTER

Kansas Contractors Association, Inc.
(KCA)

Kansas Department of Transportation
(KDOT)

MISSION

Through partnering, KDOT and KCA are committed to enhancing our ability to perform and achieve common goals by increasing the effectiveness of our working relationships.

COMMON VALUES

In support of our mission, we will uphold these common values:

Exceptional customer service
Mutual respect and trust
Information sharing at all levels
Open, friendly, flexible, and honest communications
Understanding of all partners' needs
Continuous quality improvement
An entrepreneurial spirit
Win-win mentality
Listening
Honor
Integrity
Cooperation
Collaboration
Safety
Consistency
Innovation
Timeliness
Taking responsibility

GOALS

We are committed to the achievement of these common goals:

1. To promote the continued development of the partnering relationship based upon trust, dedication to common goals, and an understanding of each other's expectations and values.
   
2. To encourage a positive working relationship and atmosphere and to eliminate adversarial relationships.
   
3. To maintain regular, open communication channels in order to anticipate potential problems and solve conflicts at the lowest possible level in a timely fashion.
   
4. To construct quality, accident-free projects.
   
5. To promote uniformity and equity between projects.
   
6. To achieve timely project completions within or under budget without claims or litigation.