Construction management is a critical element for the successful completion of any highway construction project. Construction management procedures are rapidly changing in the United States. Alternative procurement systems and contracting procedures for project delivery have become part of the U.S. highway construction program. These delivery methods include the use of nonconventional procedures such as design-build contracts, public-private arrangements, maintenance and warranty requirements, and use of third-party consultants to perform contract management. These new project delivery methods will require changes in the conventional construction management practices that public agencies use to ensure appropriate project delivery, contract compliance, and quality assurance. The Federal government and State transportation agencies are developing policies and procedures to address these evolving delivery methods. Critical components of these new methods include the changing relationships among public agencies, contractors, and private engineering firms, including risk allocation processes, quality control/quality assurance, and general contract administration procedures. The international highway community has developed construction management procedures in an environment of what the United States would consider alternative procurement and contracting procedures. Recognizing the similarities and benefits that could result from an examination of international construction management procedures, a diverse team of experts was assembled to research, document, and promote the implementation of international best practices that might benefit U.S. industry. In May 2004, a U.S. team traveled to Canada and Europe to learn from their significant experience by conducting a scan of construction management practices for effective project delivery, contract compliance, and quality assurance. The purpose of the scan was to review and document international policies, practices, and technologies for potential application in the United States. The team conducted meetings with government agencies, academia, and private sector organizations involved in construction management efforts, and visited sites where alternative technologies and practices were being applied. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) jointly sponsored this study with the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP). (Author/publisher)
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