The Case for Positive-Sum Game in Construction

Hello and welcome! I'm not a writer, so bear with me if these posts aren't as polished as they could be. However, I find that writing helps me organize my thoughts, and I hope you'll find value in what I have to share.

In this first post, I want to introduce a fundamental principle that will underpin many of the ideas I'll discuss in future posts. It may seem a bit theoretical at first, but it lays the foundation for future posts.

What Is a Positive-Sum Game?

As you’ve already seen in the title, the concept I want to explore is the 'positive-sum game.' Simply put, a positive-sum game occurs when the outputs generated by a system exceed the inputs that went into it.

This idea of input-output relationships is often used in fields like thermodynamics. For example, consider a car engine: it uses gasoline and oxygen as inputs and produces movement and heat as outputs. This is a classic example of a 'negative-sum game,' because some energy is wasted as heat, meaning the energy in the gasoline is greater than the kinetic energy produced.

Before diving deeper into positive-sum games, let's first understand what a 'zero-sum game' is and why it's a less desirable approach, especially in economics and human behavior.

Understanding Zero-Sum Games

A zero-sum game is like a mathematical equation where the two sides balance perfectly—inputs equal outputs, with nothing gained or lost. The belief that for one person to win, someone else has to lose is rooted in the idea that life is a zero-sum game. Unfortunately, many people, myself included, have fallen into this mindset. It breeds negativity, cutthroat competition, and a lack of collective well-being.

In the construction industry, this mindset often manifests in the belief that the owner's budget is a limited resource that everyone else—contractors, trades, architects, vendors—is competing for. This can lead to a scenario where each party tries to outdo the others, often at the expense of collaboration and overall project success.

The Catalyst for Positive Change

So, how can we move from a zero-sum to a positive-sum game in construction? The answer lies in the concept of a catalyst—something that, when added to a system, enhances the outputs beyond the sum of the inputs.

In nature, we see this with plants and root fungi. Plants provide carbohydrates from photosynthesis, while root fungi offer essential nutrients like phosphorus. Alone, each could survive, but together they thrive, growing much faster and stronger—a perfect example of a positive-sum game.

Here are some catalysts that can drive positive-sum outcomes:

• Specific Knowledge: An epidemiologist working with a data scientist can quickly analyze large datasets and simulate various outcomes, leading to better and faster discoveries.
• Proximity: A convenience store near a gas station benefits from customers already in the area, turning a simple stop for fuel into an opportunity to sell more products.
• Organizational Efficiency: In the military, a smaller but well-organized army can defeat a larger, less organized force, showing that structure and strategy can multiply effectiveness.
• Technology: Agricultural machinery has revolutionized farming, allowing farmers to produce far more than they could with manual labor alone. The initial investment in technology yields returns many times over.

Positive-Sum Games in Construction

On this matter, I believe there are numerous opportunities to apply positive-sum thinking in construction. Here are a few examples:

• Long-Term Partnerships (Organizational Catalyst): When professionals work together over time, they develop a deep understanding of each other’s processes, reducing rework and increasing efficiency.
• BIM Methodology (Technology/Organizational Catalyst): Building Information Modeling (BIM) allows for the integration of all trades into a 3D model, predicting potential issues before they arise and saving time and money in the long run.
• Excellence (Specific Knowledge Catalyst): When one party excels, it can inspire or enable others to elevate their performance. An example can be an excellent design, where extra time is spent on blueprints, and much more time is saved in the field.
• Prefabrication (Technology Catalyst): involves building components or entire sections of a structure in a controlled factory environment before transporting them to the construction site for assembly. This method can dramatically improve efficiency, reduce waste, and shorten construction timelines.

Achieving Exponential Results

Like compound interest, the effects of positive-sum thinking grow exponentially over time. Whether through long-term partnerships, advanced technologies like BIM, or modular building practices, there are countless opportunities to turn what might have been zero-sum scenarios into positive-sum outcomes.

In the end, operating with a positive-sum mindset isn't just about winning; it's about ensuring that everyone involved has the opportunity to succeed and thrive. This is the foundation on which lasting, meaningful progress is built.