Turnkey contract

In information technology, a contract under which, when a computer system is delivered to the user, the user only has to "turn a key" to have a fully operable computer system.

In the construction and engineering context, a contract under which the contractor is obliged to deliver a complete facility to the project company that is ready to start commercial operations, the contractor having full responsibility for design, construction, testing and proving performance and reliability of the facility. As a result, the project company only has to "turn a key" to operate the project.