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BY KEVIN LEW & CHRIS NICKLE A well-managed project team adds sig- nifi cant value to a hospital construction project. If not managed well, the process of integrating cost, schedule and perfor- mance across teams can derail progress and detract from project outcomes. Co-location is most commonly used on large-scale hospital construction projects, in which key stakeholders work together in combined of ce space. This approach employs face-to-face interaction to build team relationships and improve commu- nications, which increases productivity and innovation. While it can yield great benefi ts, co-location also entails the chal- lenge of shifting away from the traditional architect/engineer-versus-contractor dynamic present on many projects. Other common challenges include: > Finding adequate space for large teams > Breaking down the silo mentality > Maximizing personnel resources on multi-year commitments The following hospital projects illustrate the ef ective implementa- tion of a co-location strategy and highlight how project teams have suc- cessfully tackled these challenges. Stanford Hospital The new Stanford Hospital is at the center of the ef ort to rebuild and modernize the infrastructure of Stanford Medicine. The 824,000-square-foot facility will feature 368 patient rooms, bringing total onsite capacity to 600 beds. The new hospital in Stanford, California, will meet strict new seismic safety requirements and adapt to advances in technology and patient care. The project broke ground in May 2013 and is scheduled for completion in 2017, with its opening in early 2018. McCarthy joined forces with Clark Construction Group as Clark/McCarthy, a joint venture, to lead the hospital's construction. The team embraced co-location as one facet of a broad strategy to increase scheduling certainty and optimize cost and quality outcomes. "Together, we are working to build the world's most advanced medical center," Bert Hurlbut, vice president of construction, new Stanford Hospital. "Co-locating the entire project team by bringing all stakeholders together in one facility is proving to be an immeasurable asset that promotes collaborative team work, a solutions-oriented culture and a high level of accountability from all project stakeholders." Hospital construction projects realize benefi ts of co-location strategy COLLABORATION MAXIMIZING 38 Medical Construction & Design | M A RCH /A PR IL 2015 | MCDM AG.COM