In an industry where incomplete designs, shifting scopes, and prolonged tender cycles can turn collaboration into conflict, Adam Alfonsi has built a reputation for cutting through the noise. As Senior Procurement Manager for NSW and ACT at BMD Group, one of Australia’s largest family-owned engineering, construction, and urban development companies – Adam has seen how early engagement and clear communication can make or break a project long before it reaches site. Drawing on 15 years in procurement, he brings a grounded view of how to align supply-chain partners, balance commercial pressures with trust, and keep projects commercially viable in an environment where margins are thin and risk is high.
FuturePlace: Can you share a bit about your journey in procurement and how it shaped your approach to collaboration in construction?
Adam Alfonsi: I fell into procurement about 15 years ago and realised very quickly that to add value and be effective, I needed to be both a good communicator and a good listener. Being able to do both has helped me add value when collaborating with the supply chain – not just to win a project, but to deliver it successfully.
FuturePlace: What does your role as Senior Procurement Manager at BMD Group involve day to day, particularly during preconstruction?
Adam Alfonsi: I support our preconstruction team across NSW and the ACT with project bids, ensuring we’re engaging with our preferred supply-chain partners and bringing them along for the journey. This helps us secure competitive pricing and ensures they understand the project scope and associated risks. I also support the wider BMD Group by providing advice on modern slavery questions our teams are asked by clients during the tender phase.
FuturePlace: What do you find most challenging about working in preconstruction, and how do you approach those challenges?
Adam Alfonsi: The biggest challenge is when designs are unclear or incomplete, yet the client has already started the tender process. That puts pressure on procurement and supply-chain partners to offer competitive pricing when the project may not actually commence for another 12 to 24 months.
FuturePlace: If you could change one thing about the way the industry works today to set it up for future success, what would it be?
Adam Alfonsi: To be more open to new work practices and construction materials. There are so many efficient and sustainable opportunities that don’t get realised because of red tape around approvals from government agencies, or because designers and consultants aren’t open to adopting them.
FuturePlace: How do you ensure communication loops between consultants, clients, and contractors remain clear and consistent throughout preconstruction?
Adam Alfonsi: Our bid team has a designated person who oversees each bid using our Integrated Bid Management Standard. This process provides a single point of contact responsible for all communications between parties to ensure consistency. They clarify details where needed so that every stakeholder remains aligned and shares the same understanding across all aspects of the bid.
FuturePlace: How do you see procurement and stakeholder collaboration evolving in the next five to ten years as projects become more complex and client expectations rise?
Adam Alfonsi: The value of relationships will really define successful procurement and stakeholder collaboration. Stakeholders will increasingly see that procurement is about more than just achieving the cheapest price – it’s about the overall value realised through strong relationships that can meet the growing complexity of projects and client expectations.
FuturePlace: What are you hoping to gain from the Preconstruction Innovation Summit this year, or what conversations are you most looking forward to being part of?
Adam Alfonsi: I’m most looking forward to hearing how others in preconstruction are tackling current issues – what challenges they’re forecasting, and what they’re doing now to address both current and potential challenges.
Adam will expand on these ideas at the Preconstruction Innovation Summit, where he joins Kurt Brissett (Chief Digital and Information Officer, Built), Alberto Sanchez (Head of Planning, Lendlease), and Andrew Deck (Project Director, Seymour Whyte Group) on a panel exploring how early alignment and digital collaboration can transform project outcomes. He’ll also facilitate a roundtable on Enhancing Collaboration Between Stakeholders, inviting attendees to share practical strategies for bridging gaps between clients, consultants, and contractors.
For anyone looking to strengthen relationships across the supply chain and deliver more predictable, commercially sound projects, these sessions offer real-world insights from some of the industry’s most respected preconstruction and procurement leaders.
Learn more at: https://bit.ly/4nKhSOe
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