Good practice in construction
One of the Accord aims is to improve the performance of the sector through sharing good practice.
On this page
This page includes documents, tools and other resources to help support good decisions, efficient processes and quality outcomes across the sector. The collection of resources will be built up over time.
If you have tools, processes or documents that support good practice you think others' could benefit from and you are willing to share, please contact the Accord team accord@mbie.govt.nz.
The Accord is also building a set of Beacon Projects that will highlight exceptional practice happening in construction and share learnings with others across the sector.
Rapid mobilisation models and playbook
The Rapid Mobilisation Models document was produced by Accord partners during the COVID disruption, and provides advice for getting construction projects up and running quickly. It outlines models to streamline processes that can be used by local and central government agencies in both the horizontal and vertical sectors. There is information on how to match models with project complexity and agency capability, and analysis on what works well and what doesn’t in specific situations.
The rapid mobilisation models will be used to help deliver the 'shovel ready' programme to support recovery after COVID-19, but can also apply to the full pipeline of government construction projects across the country.
This document is supported by the Rapid Mobilisation Playbook, which provides practical guidance to help people start projects in a fast, meaningful and safe way. It includes advice on running construction projects in a way that achieves good economic and social outcomes and contributes to the post-lockdown recovery.
The Playbook will assist the sector in building capability and applying risk-based decision making. It provides practical guidance on:
- how long the stages in the mobilisation process need to take
- best practice governance arrangements to protect your process
- which procurement and delivery models to consider (in line with NZ Government Procurement guidelines)
- the trade-offs and risk management implications of moving quickly through project phases.
The Playbook is intended for organisations and project teams that don't often complete large-scale projects or projects on an accelerated time frame.
Accord Rapid Mobilisation Models [PDF, 3.6 MB]
Read the Rapid Mobilisation Playbook on the NZGPP website(external link).
Contract Partnering Agreement
This document is designed as a pre-contract agreement between two parties, to guide their contract negotiations towards supporting the Accord's outcomes. It sets expectations for how a client and main contractor should behave in line with the Accord principles. The Partnering Agreement can be tailored for individual projects, and is suitable for projects of all sizes in both the public and private sectors.
COVID-19 Contracting Principles and Risk Management recommendation
Following on from the work led by the Construction Sector Accord to manage COVID-19 related risks arising during the 2020 lockdown, this new guidance will help public sector clients to proactively manage the risks associated with COVID-19 in construction projects. It describes practical steps to mitigate, manage and fairly compensate your suppliers for these risks through the project lifecycle. While it is not always practical to actively manage all risks, COVID-19 related risks are likely to be of such significance to most construction projects that they should be actively managed.
The guidance includes advice on a culture of good risk management, risk management plans, who is best placed to manage COVID-19 related risk, identifying risks, assessing their impacts and quantifying them. It also includes an updated risk allocation table, and sample contract terms developed by Kāinga Ora. The guidance is consistent with the Accord's objective of improving the performance of the construction sector by sharing good practice.
Whether directly related to COVID-19 or not, issues with the global and domestic supply of materials are clearly impacting current and upcoming projects. This situation presents risks to clients in terms of cost certainty. For contractors, the terms of their contract may not account for these significant cost fluctuations. The Accord continues to monitor the situation, but encourages open and transparent dialogue between clients and their supply chain partners to try and achieve the best outcome for the project.
Agile procurement of water infrastructure
This paper raises awareness of the need to adapt procurement practices to ensure efficient delivery of water infrastructure in the post COVID-19 environment. It identifies a set of levers that can be used by councils and outlines new strategies, practices and buying behaviours to support New Zealand's economic recovery.
The advice was collated by the Department of Internal Affairs, Local Government New Zealand, the Society of Local Government Managers, and the National Emergency Management Agency. The document can be read in combination with the Accord's Rapid Mobilisation Playbook, which will be released in June, and will provide a step by step guide to using rapid mobilisation models.
Agile Procurement in the Water Sector(external link)
Check back later for new best practice guidance.
Construction and Infrastructure Procurement Capability Framework
This framework describes the capabilities which are important for those undertaking or supporting procurement needs throughout a construction or infrastructure project.