Understanding the Construction Client [Paperback]

This book breaks new ground by creating a framework to understand clients actions and needs. Most construction management books focus on improving the construction process; this one focuses on a better engagement with the client. It challenges conceptions of both the construction industry and clients businesses so that a more effective process and greater client satisfaction can be achieved. The book suggests that buildings are not about building but about changing and developing the client. The technical, organisational and psychological aspects of this are described and analysed in detail so that current experience can be explained and better practice determined.

The book offers well-researched information about clients in a number of sectors - developers, supermarkets, NHS, government, airports and housing associations - which will help you understand what these clients business or service needs are and how construction fits into this. It demonstrates how to develop an appreciation of the clients perspective with a toolkit for ensuring successful client engagement. This makes Understanding the Construction Client a user-friendly and practical guide, as well as significant text for academia.

Foreword vii
Graham Farrant, Chair CCG

Preface: buildings are not about building! x

Chapter 1 Clients in Perspective 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 The nature of the problem 2

1.3 The categories of clients 4

1.4 What clients want 10

1.5 A problem of delivery 14

1.6 Structure of this book 16

1.7 A concluding remark 18

References 19

Chapter 2 A Model of Clients 23

2.1 Introduction 23

2.2 The basic thesis 25

2.3 A model of clients 2lck