In our industry, we often talk about the importance of partnering. But I sometimes wonder if we fully appreciate just how far partnering in Ohio has come, and perhaps more importantly how fortunate we are to have the relationship with the Ohio Department of Transportation that exists today.
ODOT’s first formally partnered construction project dates to the fall of 1991. That means for nearly 35 years, ODOT and Ohio’s contracting community have been working to develop and improve a process that encourages communication, identifies problems early and provides a means for resolving disagreements before they unnecessarily impact a project.
Those principles sound simple. Putting them into practice takes commitment.
At the project level, partnering establishes an expectation that contractors and ODOT personnel will communicate openly, identify issues as they arise and make every reasonable effort to resolve them at the project level. When that cannot be accomplished, the three-step escalation process provides a defined path to move an issue through increasingly higher levels of authority.
The goal is not to eliminate disagreements. That would be unrealistic. The goal is to address disagreements professionally, fairly and as quickly as possible so everyone can get back to what we are there to do – build the project.
But I believe one of the greatest successes of partnering in Ohio is that it has grown well beyond individual construction projects.
Today, the same partnering philosophy exists at the statewide level between OCA and ODOT. Our members and ODOT representatives regularly sit across the table from one another to develop specifications, discuss policies, identify industry concerns and work through issues affecting the entire construction program. We don’t always agree, nor should we expect to. What is important is that we have developed a relationship that allows us to have those discussions, understand each other’s perspectives and work toward solutions.
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to travel throughout the country and spend time with my association peers in other states. Those conversations have given me an even greater appreciation for what we have here in Ohio. Many are envious of the relationship our industry shares with our state’s DOT and the level of communication that takes place between our organizations. I have also seen elements of Ohio’s partnering approach used as a model as others work to improve their own project and agency relationships.
That is something we should be proud of but never take for granted.
Relationships require work. They require communication, trust, respect and a willingness to listen to another perspective. Partnering is no different. What has been built over nearly 35 years can only continue if the people who follow us remain committed to those same principles.
As my own career in this industry begins to draw to a close, I find myself reflecting more often on the practices and relationships that have made a difference along the way. Partnering is certainly one of them. I have watched it grow from an approach primarily focused on individual projects into a relationship between ODOT and our industry that others around the country have sought to emulate.
My hope is that those who follow us recognize its value and understand that it is not simply a process or another requirement of the contract. It is a practice that has served ODOT, our contractors and, ultimately, the traveling public well
It is a practice worth protecting.