Promoting Harmony in Construction: The Conflict Avoidance Coalition and Pledge
In the dynamic and often high-stakes world of construction and engineering, disputes can arise, leading to costly delays and strained relationships. The Conflict Avoidance Coalition is dedicated to transforming this landscape by promoting proactive conflict management and early resolution techniques. At the heart of this initiative is the Conflict Avoidance Pledge, a commitment to fostering a collaborative working environment and preventing disputes before they escalate.
In an exclusive interview for London Construction Magazine, Len Bunton, a seasoned expert in construction and engineering disputes and a member of the Conflict Avoidance Coalition, shared his insights on the Pledge. Len, who has extensive experience as an arbitrator, adjudicator, mediator, and expert witness, discussed the following:
What inspired the creation of the Conflict Avoidance Coalition and the Conflict Avoidance Pledge?
The Conflict Avoidance Coalition and Pledge were inspired by the need to reduce disputes in the construction industry through collaborative working and early intervention techniques, promoting a culture of proactive conflict management.
Can you share some success stories or examples where the Conflict Avoidance Pledge has made a significant impact on a project?
The Pledge has helped projects by embedding conflict avoidance mechanisms, leading to reduced costs and timely delivery. For example, the use of dispute avoidance boards has effectively managed and resolved emerging disputes early, preventing escalation.
What are the biggest challenges you see in getting organizations to adopt and implement the principles of the Conflict Avoidance Pledge?
Much work has been carried out, and is being carried out, in creating awareness across the industry of the Conflict Avoidance Process. The Process has to benefit clients, and the whole industry. The biggest challenges include ensuring early identification and intervention of potential disputes, fostering a culture of collaboration, and convincing organisations to consistently apply conflict avoidance measures in their projects, and to resolve issues as soon as possible.
The Conflict Avoidance Pledge
The Pledge is a commitment by organisations to work proactively to avoid conflict and facilitate early resolution of potential disputes. It emphasises the importance of collaborative working and early intervention techniques to resolve differences of opinion before they become disputes.
Key commitments include:
✅ Proactive Conflict Management: Organisations commit to embedding conflict avoidance mechanisms into their projects, aiming to identify, control, and manage potential conflicts.
✅ Early Identification and Resolution: Developing capabilities to identify potential disputes early and using conflict avoidance measures to address them.
✅ Collaborative Working: Promoting the value of collaborative working to prevent issues from developing into disputes.
✅ Industry Partnership: Working with industry partners to identify, promote, and utilise conflict avoidance mechanisms.
Role of the Conflict Avoidance Coalition Steering Group
The Steering Group now comprises 85 cross industry organisations and plays a crucial role in championing change and promoting the Pledge. Their efforts include:
✅ Championing Change: Advocating for improvements in the way relationships are managed between contracting parties.
✅ Promoting the Pledge: Encouraging organisations, businesses, and individuals to sign up to the Pledge and adhere to its principles.
✅ Creating Collateral: Producing and disseminating advice, guidance, and toolkits on viable methods and techniques to avoid, manage, and resolve disputes.
✅ Lobbying for Change: Implementing strategies to inform key decision-makers in government and industry about the Pledge and conflict avoidance techniques.
✅ Utilising Social Media: Formulating key messages to post on social media to encourage widespread adoption of the Pledge.
✅ Assisting Organisations: Developing and delivering a communications plan to help organisations incorporate the Pledge's principles into their operations.
Coalition Mission Statement
The Coalition's mission is to reduce disputes in the industry by promoting best practices in dispute avoidance and mitigation, and fostering a culture of collaboration. Their vision is to see a commitment from organisations to the principles of the Conflict Avoidance Pledge, leading to changes in culture and practice that reduce the prevalence and impact of contractual disputes.
By signing the Conflict Avoidance Pledge, organisations can contribute to a more harmonious and efficient construction and engineering industry. The Conflict Avoidance Coalition, through its Steering Group, provides the necessary support and resources to help organisations implement these principles and foster a culture of collaboration and proactive conflict management.
For more information and to sign the Pledge, visit www.rics.org/capledge.
