Experiences with Best-Value Procurement in Norway and the Netherlands

Abstract

Best-value procurement (BVP) is new in Norway, but there is a plan to use it in several mega infrastructure projects. However, there is no independent research that illustrates what measures ought to be implemented for the success of future projects using BVP. The purposes of this study are (1) to describe the BVP method thoroughly, (2) explore the experiences with the method from the Netherlands and Norway, and (3) develop suggestions for what measures ought to be implemented for the success of future projects using BVP. In addition to a literature review and document study, 11 Dutch cases and 4 Norwegian cases were studied through semistructured interviews with 28 key informants. This study identified several practical challenges practitioners are facing while using BVP. To avoid the problems documented in the case projects, both the method and its implementation should be improved continuously based on the current experiences. Recommendations for improvement are provided in this paper. Testing their effectiveness is a topic for future research. This paper contributes to construction engineering and management practice to increase the understanding of BVP by suggesting what kind of measures ought to be taken for the success of future projects using the method.