2006-07 - Construction Innovation

National Research Priorities
Promoting an innovation culture and economy
industry adoption of innovation
The benefits of innovation are well-documented. Case studies have shown
construction innovations result in time-savings, cost-savings and unique solutions to
difficult problems. Often these innovation examples feature large contractors, due to their involvement with
high-profile projects. While large contractors may be viewed as having higher innovation rates than small
contractors, it would be a mistake to assume innovation is only undertaken by large firms.
Construction Innovation’s Building Research Innovation Technology and Environment (BRITE) project
interviewed 20 contractors of various sizes across Australia to discover and share the management practices
of Australia’s most highly innovative construction contractors.
An example of the benefits of innovation is provided by a company of 20 employees in rural Victoria. In
2006, the company undertook construction of four two-storey townhouses in a largely built-out area in
Warrnambool, Victoria. Tight time-scheduling and the need to limit OHS risks led the builder to devise an
innovative partial prefabrication approach for the upper storeys.
The solution, devised solely for this project, resulted in time and
cost savings, greatly reduced risks from working at height, a
stronger structure and a great boost to team morale – with a
successfully delivered project for the client.
The challenges encountered by the company, details of the
innovative response it developed and a summary of outcomes
have been included as part of a series of case studies for a new
Construction Innovation publication – Being the Best – which
details the learning behaviours of Australia’s most innovative
contractors.
The Being the Best booklet has been distributed, with the
assistance of state government departments, to a total of
1024 pre-qualified contractors in the infrastructure and building
industries throughout Australia. Another 200 copies have been
distributed through BRITE project partners and to policy and
contracting sections of the Queensland Department of Public
Works and Queensland Department of Main Roads.
Being the Best is also available to industry free of charge online
from Construction Innovation and other websites.
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