The business roundtable construction industry cost effectiveness task force

The Business Roundtable, an organization founded in 1972 and formed of chief executive officers representing several leading international corporations, has had a major impact on the construction industry in the United States. Member companies are some of the major users of construction services. These business and industry leaders formed task forces to investigate, report, and recommend means by which escalating construction costs could be contained. The Construction Industry Cost Effectiveness Task Force was charged with the responsibility of investigating ways in which construction services could be improved and could be made more cost effective. The reports and recommendations of this task force have had far reaching effects on the construction industry. This paper discusses the history, structure and activities of the Business Roundtable as well as the methods of implementation of task force recommendations. Attention is also given to the ramifications concerning construction education.