What is different about IPI from other industry organizations?

The construction industry has an array of associations dedicated to improving the industry. Most are focused on the construction process or advocating for segments of the industry. IPI is different. We are focused on understanding what goes on between the people and disciplines on a project and within their respective organizations, that allows for cohesion and trust to grow so that communication and collaboration are the norm. We believe that this is the critical path to success on every construction project.

We believe that there is a collective wisdom amongst those committed to understanding how partnering can be the norm on construction projects. To tap into that collective wisdom we operate as a “think tank”. Members participate in the development of lessons learned and research concepts as well as provide feedback on improvement efforts already underway. As a think tank IPI can serve as a resource providing a partnering model and then help to link the theory to daily practice on the jobsite. IPI works cooperatively with many industry organizations to help communicate our lessons learned.

How is IPI Organized?

IPI is led by a Board of Advisors. Current members are:

• John L. Martin, Chairman, IPI; Director, San Francisco International Airport
• Larry Eisenberg, Executive Director, LACCD
• John Franich, Vice President & Group 3 Manager, Granite Construction
• Stephen George, Director Physical Plant, Connecticut College
• Michael Ghilotti, President, Ghilotti Bros., Inc.
• Dan Himick, President, C.C. Myers, Inc.
• Mike Kolakowski, President, KBE Building Corporation
• Mark Leja, Chief, Division of Construction, Caltrans
• Guy Mehula, Vice President, Buildings Div. Mgr, Parsons Corporations
• Stuart Seiden, Capital Projects, County of Fresno
• Todd Sutton, Sr. Vice President No. California, Skanska USA
• David Thorman, California State Architect
• Curt Weltz, President, Flatiron
• Sue Dyer, CEO, IPI; President, OrgMetrics

IPI is structured to do research, implement the lessons learned and to certify professionals so they carry the knowledge to project teams and their organizations. We sponsor the following forums:

Owners Forum (Public and Private Construction Owners)
We believe that partnering is most effective when it is owner driven. The owner has the most to gain and lose from each construction project. The owner also has the opportunity to set into place the specifications, structure and culture that allows for partnering to occur. The objective of this group is to advance the knowledge and practice of partnering by sharing lessons learned, shaping research questions, developing best practices and identifying issues and barriers.

Project Delivery Forum (Owners, Contractors, Construction Managers, Designers and Suppliers)
The construction industry has traditionally be adversarial in it’s approach to project delivery. Our aim is to shift the behavior of those leading construction project delivery into acting like “partners”. Designers and contractors are critical to the success of every project. Values and practices must be in alignment with partnering for optimal results. The objective of this group is to share their lessons learned on the jobsite and to develop knowledge regarding partnering values and practices within the organization and project team.

Facilitators Forum (Professional Partnering Facilitators)
There is no place for those who facilitate partnering on construction projects to meet and share their lessons learned and ideas for improvement. The objective for this forum is to provide a safe place for professional partnering facilitators to come and share openly. Together they will focus on advancing the success rate of partnering implementation and promote buy-in by construction consumers.