The post World War II era exposed many challenges as the nation's work force re-mobilized from a military perspective to meeting the demands of a new business driven economy. A great deal of new building activity flourished and placed unusual demands on the construction industry to become more proficient in its processes.

It soon became evident that architects and contractors had to improve communications in ways that would reduce conflict between them by standardizing procedures in the planning, bidding and construction process.

Thus, the nucleus of the Construction Industry Cooperative Committee of Minnesota (CICC) was formed in 1948, by a group of architects and contractors representing the Minnesota Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota. They became known as the AIA-AGC Joint Cooperative Committee. Their mission was to establish a forum to formalize issues and to develop and recommend at large solutions. A published check list was the first product of the committee.

The membership of the committee expanded in 1966 to include not only the AIA & AGC, but also the Consulting Engineers Council (CEC), Construction Specification Institute (CSI), Minnesota Mechanical Contractors Association (MMCA), National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Sheet Metal and Roofing Contractors Association (SMARCA) and the respective Builders Exchanges of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

CICC assumed the task of publishing a manual of recommended procedures to set standards and guidelines for the industry to consider in the building and delivery process. This document, known as the "Blue Book", is periodically updated by the membership to stay current with the evolutionary changes in techniques and technology that affect the industry.

Every building owner should recognize that CICC represents their best interests toward achieving a quality product, delivered on schedule and within budget, as a result of this organization's effort to establish procedural efficiency in the design/construction process. The committee continues to stand ready to address issues that are brought forward from the industry.