Performance‐based maintenance partnering: a promising concept

Purpose – Performance‐based maintenance partnerships promise benefits compared to traditional tendering of maintenance projects. The paper aims to give process models and examples of performance requirements and measurement methods for buildings and facilities managers. Design/methodology/approach – Case studies of housing associations' current procurement and outsourcing methods have been performed, including an examination of initiatives for performance‐based partnerships. Purchasers and technical managers of housing associations and directors of medium‐sized maintenance contractors were interviewed, asking about the objectives, expected benefits and drawbacks of maintenance partnering. Maintenance performance requirements and measurement methods for the exterior envelope of housing estates were developed, based on the functions of building components. The maintenance partnering process has been modelled in three partnership forms, based on the case studies and interviews. Findings – The process models and the decisive maintenance performance requirements for building components are interesting concepts for buildings and facilities managers, changing their orientation from cost of services to value and performance. Research limitations/implications – The process models were discussed with clients and maintenance contractor. Its validity is being tested in practice. Clients fear that price competition will be affected by entering into long‐term co‐operative arrangements with maintenance contractors and service providers. Thus, there is a need for studies that investigate the direct and indirect cost savings from performance‐based maintenance partnering. Originality/value – Long‐term performance‐based maintenance partnering for the entire exterior envelope is something new. It focuses on re‐design, construction, and maintenance by the maintenance contractor.