ABSTRACT
Given the complexity of the relationship between owners and contractors in construction projects, research work has been carried out to identify mechanisms to facilitate the understanding between these parts. Based on the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) approach, an exploratory study on the form of rationalising this relationship has been conducted and its preliminary results are presented in this paper. Within this research effort, a model that puts emphasis in the factors that, depending on the type of contract, can improve the performance of the project has been developed. This model helps to structure a set of information through a matrix scheme that allows the weighting of each relevant characteristic of the commercial relationship between the client and the contractor with the purpose of prioritising between them. The scheme uses a cross-impact approach and provides a sequential methodology that conditions the achievement of the owner’s objectives to the actions of the contractor and to his own key contract management elements that influence the contractor’s behaviour. It is proposed here that this methodology could constitute a useful decision tool for the owner when developing and executing a construction project.
