The construction sector tries to take the lead - A sector lead approach to Construction process improvement

In many reports the improvements of the actors in the construction sector have been requested. One explicit factor that has been called for is an increase in cooperation and communication between the different actors. The Swedish construction sector in general has not been swift in accepting new process improvements as they have been put forward by academics or government. There are many possible explanations, among them are that the solutions have been too much of 'desk products', not suitable for direct application into the construction sector and its firms. In the southern region of Sweden a sector initiated and lead initiative with an aim of developing the construction and the real estate management process, increase the profitability across the supply-chain, increase the human value among the actors of the construction process, and increase the image of construction, has been carried out. The forum resulted in increase of knowledge of the construction industry and effect of different actors on it for those who participated. On a more general level a program with the aim of increasing the efficiency and improving the image of the construction industry was developed. This paper discusses the approach as such; advantages and disadvantages as well as lessons learned. It also reports on the outcome of the initiative