Owner Control vs Contractor Expertise
Specify performance outcomes and critical boundaries in contracts, then use technical assurance rather than method prescription to maintain owner control.
CyberTRIZ analysis · GreenFieldIndustrialProjects contradiction SFR026 · one of 8,235 worked contradictions published by CyberTRIZ.AI
Regulations
Business Context
Owners must retain control over project objectives, requirements, risk, cost, and major decisions. Contractors often possess deeper specialist knowledge of engineering methods, construction techniques, technologies, and execution practices.
Green Field Industrial Projects TRIZ Resolution
Retain owner control over outcomes and critical boundaries while allowing contractors authority over methods within those limits. Use technical assurance and performance criteria rather than unnecessary owner direction of specialist work.
Applicable TRIZ Principles
Principle 1 – Segmentation separates owner requirements from contractor execution methods.
Principle 3 – Local Quality places technical decisions with the party possessing the relevant expertise.
Principle 23 – Feedback maintains owner visibility through performance and technical information.
Expected Outcome
Better use of contractor expertise
Preserved owner control
Faster technical decisions
Clearer accountability
Decision Indicators
Early indicators include:
Owners routinely prescribe contractor methods.
Contractors defer specialist decisions unnecessarily.
Owner intervention weakens contractor accountability.
Technical expertise is excluded from important decisions.
Contractor autonomy extends beyond agreed project boundaries.