First Published in 2003

Building procurement systems are the organizational structures needed to design and construct building projects. The intention of this guide is to provide the construction professional with sufficient information about building procurement systems to ensure an awareness of the main methods that are currently available, and their principal advantages and disadvantages.

Chapters 1 and 2 describe the concept and categorization of procurement systems and the evolution of the methods currently in use. The next four chapters deal with each of the various categories and the individual systems themselves. The needs of clients are examined in Chapter 7, in the context of project success. Chapter 8 investigates the way in which clients decide which procurement method to use. The author then identifies the principles governing the current choice and the various aids that are available to assist clients during this decision process. Finally, in Chapter 9, the author attempts to forecast the future of procurement systems and their use.

This clear, well-researched and well-structured guide will be invaluable to students and practising construction professionals alike as they work with a range of building procurement systems to choose the system most suited to their needs.