Reinforcement of the dike between Gorinchem and Waardenburg
program development
Reinforcement of the dike between Gorinchem and Waardenburg
Strong dikes require solid alliances. Waterschap Rivierenland (the client) and Heijmans, GMB, and De Vries en Van de Wiel (the contractors) have embarked on a unique venture: they are reinforcing the dike between the towns of Gorinchem in the province of South Holland and Waardenburg in the province of Gelderland. What, exactly, makes their alliance so valuable?
The essence of the GoWa alliance (short for “Gorinchem-Waardenburg”) is that the client and the contractors share the profits and bear the risks together, making it a truly equal partnership. The partners couldn’t be happier with this arrangement for their project, which involves the reinforcement of the Waaldijk (a 23-kilometer dike) for future generations. In an equal alliance of this kind, whenever there are setbacks or disagreements everyone is encouraged to help find a solution, rather than simply passing the buck. The close-knit unit this creates helps to build and maintain valuable relationships with the thousands of local residents, businesses and other stakeholders who benefit from the work performed on the dike but may sometimes also experience temporary inconvenience. The foundation for the GoWa alliance was laid way back in 2016, during the tender process.
Ami’s Martijn Jong has acted as a consultant to the GoWa alliance since 2016. He has supported them in their growth and development, giving them the tools they need to successfully complete the dike reinforcement project.
Ami has been closely involved in this alliance since its inception, having devoted time and energy to integrating four separate working cultures into a single cohesive team. We have helped translate the alliance’s organizing principles into actions and have made them an integral part of the working relationship. We combined this with investing in a ‘learning culture’ and corresponding behavior, in order to keep improving and enable all members of the alliance to contribute – including new people who have joined along the way. This is important in terms of continuity, as well as helping to further refine the project philosophy. Supported by Ami, the GoWa alliance makes a point of sharing its experiences with the market through several symposiums and podcasts, which you can find here. Through these channels, they invite everyone to personally explore the value of an alliance.
Niek Ridderbos
“Strong dikes require solid alliances. Being partners in an alliance requires a sense of unity. You need to work on building that kind of culture from day one.”
