Application of Contractor's Knowledge in Public Financed Infrastructure Projects in Germany

Abstract

In Germany the design and the construction of public infrastructure projects is usually separated into two different phases. In the first phase (design phase) client and designer mutually plan the project execution. In the subsequent construction phase one or more contractors are involved in the execution, i.e. the construction work. Apparently, an exchange of information is necessary between those two phases, which is, however, flawed, as evidenced, by many German construction projects. The planning in the design phase is rather theoretical and lacks practical input, which could be provided by the contractor. As a result of this lack of information in the design phase, time and cost overruns regarding the whole project occur. Hence, using the contractor's knowledge in the design phase bears several potentials in the sense of more efficient project execution. In this paper a selection of four possibilities will be presented how to use execution knowledge for public financed infrastructure projects in Germany