In October, the Conflict Avoidance Coalition held its inaugural Conflict Avoidance Conference in London. The event provided construction professionals with valuable insights into implementing strategies to help projects stay on time and within budget. Following his attendance at the conference, Neil Miller, QIC Trim’s Sales and Marketing Director, offers his enlightening view on the conflict avoidance issue and why its progress is key to improving business relationships and construction industry efficiencies.
Conflict avoidance in the construction industry is not just a noble aspiration; it is a financial necessity. The staggering cost of disputes, measured in billions of pounds, underscores the urgency for effective measures to prevent conflicts from arising. Beyond monetary implications, unresolved disputes can inflict immeasurable harm on business relationships and tarnish brand reputations. This is where the Conflict Avoidance Coalition (CAC) comes into play. The proactive framework provides early intervention to prevent issues from escalating into full-blown construction disputes.
Founded with a vision to instigate a transformative shift within the UK construction sector, the Conflict Avoidance Pledge and Process Coalition (CAC) comprises circa 60 member organisations representing various facets of the supply chain. It has garnered support from more than 500 businesses including major companies such as Morgan Sindall, Network Rail, Siemens, Kier, and Transport for London. This widespread adoption covers a construction project’s every phase.
Encouraging Greater Collaboration
The Pledge itself embodies a commitment by businesses to foster collaborative working environments and implement early intervention strategies throughout their operations. By embedding conflict avoidance mechanisms into projects from inception, these organisations aim not only to identify potential conflicts but also manage them effectively before they escalate into formal disputes that require adversarial resolution procedures.
Moreover, businesses taking this pledge actively invest resources in developing their capabilities for early dispute identification while advocating for collaborative practices that promote harmony within teams and across projects. Their proactive approach focuses on preventing conflicts altogether while facilitating prompt resolutions when differences arise.
Government Integration
The CAC’s influence extends beyond individual firms; it has been integrated into UK Government policy through initiatives such as the Construction Playbook. This mandates parties involved in public works programmes to either comply with or explain their adherence to conflict avoidance principles—a testament to its growing importance at all levels of project delivery.
In embracing conflict avoidance as an integral aspect of construction practice, we are not merely safeguarding financial interests; we are fostering an industry culture that prioritises collaboration over contention – an essential step towards sustainable success in an ever-evolving landscape.
