Co-operative benchmarking: A tool for partnering excellence in construction

This paper suggests that co-operative benchmarking should be used as a tool for achieving partnering excellence in construction projects. The paper presents an eight-stage process of a co-operative benchmarking approach which can be used to improve the performance of parties entering into partnering agreements (the COBAP process). It is suggested that the establishment of a COBAP team and effective management of the COBAP process, can stimulate a series of positive outcomes such as mutual trust, commitment, creativity and continuous improvement. The implementation of the COBAP can be used as a mechanism for collective learning, which can sustain a competitive advantage.