Integrated Form of Agreement (IFoA)

This is a new form of contract authored by Will Lichtig of McDonough Holland & Allen

The IFoA binds all the parties — client/owner, designers, constructor and trade partners — into a single agreement which requires them to share risks and rewards. 

This encourages everyone in the team to think of the project first as their commercial interests are clearly bound up with the overall success of the project.  In turn this means that leadership and decision making is both more inclusive and distributed.

IFoA:

1. sets performance and results expectations
   

2. creates a collaborative environment
   

3. creates an integrated team
   

4. optimises the project
   

5. encourages superior risk management
   

6. uses owner’s Business Plan is the basis for design requirements
   

7. incorporates Lean Project Delivery - including Last Planner®
   

8. incorporates language of reliable promising & commitments
   

9. establishes a collaborative governance structure for the project
   

The ConsensusDOCS300 contract, supported by the Associated General Contractors in the US, is another example of a relational agreement. It is a cut down version of the IFoA.

Will Lichtig “Sutter Health: Developing a Contracting Model to Support Lean Project Delivery,” Lean Construction Journal, April 2005

see also Developing a Relational Contract, Will Lichtig

Will Lichtig