Collaboration Is Key, but Not Always Integrated to Projects, New Research Finds

Why It Matters

The findings underscore a missed opportunity for the built environment sector to boost efficiency and reduce litigation through collaborative contracts, and they signal a market opening for digital solutions that can accelerate adoption.

Key Takeaways

• Over 80% say collaboration crucial, yet 70% still use traditional contracts
• Only 27% have worked on collaborative-contract projects
• 70% of collaborative-contract users report faster delivery and fewer disputes
• NEC Digital platform launched 2025 to enable collaborative drafting and tendering

Pulse Analysis

The construction industry has long wrestled with fragmented supply chains and adversarial contract models that inflate costs and delay timelines. The NEC Contracts study, encompassing voices from the UK, Australia, Peru, Singapore and Hong Kong, reveals a paradox: while a solid majority of professionals champion collaboration as a pathway to better outcomes, the entrenched reliance on traditional contracts persists. This disconnect reflects cultural inertia and risk aversion, especially among clients who control procurement decisions.

When collaborative contracts are employed, the data is compelling. More than seven in ten respondents who have used such agreements report tangible benefits: accelerated project delivery, stronger business protection, and a marked reduction in legal disputes. These advantages stem from shared risk allocation, transparent communication, and joint problem‑solving mechanisms that align incentives across the supply chain. Yet only 27% of surveyed professionals have actually worked on projects using these methods, indicating a substantial adoption gap that the industry must bridge to realize efficiency gains.

NEC Digital’s 2025 launch aims to close that gap by providing a cloud‑based platform for drafting, tendering and managing collaborative contracts. By streamlining the contract creation process and embedding collaborative clauses, the tool lowers the barrier for clients and contractors to experiment with new arrangements. The report’s call for decisive client action aligns with this technology push, suggesting that market leaders who champion collaborative contracts can achieve faster, lower‑cost projects while mitigating dispute risk. As digital platforms gain traction, the sector may finally translate its collaborative aspirations into measurable performance improvements.