INVESTIGATION INTO THE CLIENT'S PERCEPTIONS OF CONTRACTUAL FORMS AND PROCEDURES: THE INSTIGATION OF GOOD PRACTICE.

The paper presents details of a research study funded by the Science and Engineering Research Council into problems facing the client from the building process. It looks at the weaknesses of the traditional approach and at those alternative arrangements such as project management and management contracting which have emerged to overcome these problems. The main problems highlighted are: overemphasis on contractual arrangements rather than on effective organisational procedures. These include communications, co-ordination, reporting procedures and interpersonal relationships. The inability of standard forms of contract to act as a control document and adequately cope with the complexities of organisation in building projects. Prescriptions for good practices from such as client guides are not in general seen to be reflected in choices that clients make, or the misconceptions they appear to hold.