One of the most effective ways to avoid unnecessary construction problems is to ensure that a complete and thorough design review is performed at the A/E level prior to drawings and specifications going out to bid. The design review should be performed by the architects and engineers that are preparing the plans and specifications for
Professional Practice
Project Risk Management – The Real Cost of Value Engineering
Problems stemming from “value engineering” are a common source point in many of our forensic engineering and claims management engagements involving systems, equipment or materials where the actual performance is found to be ‘problematic’ with respect to project expectations. Misunderstandings concerning the purpose and intent of value engineering are often at the heart of the
Is the CPM Critical Path REAL or IMAGINARY?
by Robert C. McCue, PE; E. Mitchell Swann, PE; and Michelle N. Delehanty, PE Where is the critical path? This is one of the questions most often asked concerning schedule analysis. For some types of projects it is easy to anticipate where the critical path should be; for instance in high-rise building construction, the critical
Mitch Swann, PE, Named to Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council
Mitch Swann, P.E., MDC Systems®, is named to Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council. The UCC Review and Advisory Council was established by Act 106 of 2008. Appointed by the governor, the 19-member council is drawn from various construction industry trades and professions and local government. The council is charged with making recommendations
The Internet of Things : Managing Risk & Reward
By E. Mitchell Swann, PE A hot topic in the industry today is the “Internet of Things” (IoT). The IoT is the use of “smart” devices, transmitters and systems to facilitate the real time transmission of information, control of equipment and optimized operation of systems; often including or via some Internet-based communication network. The objective
Mitch Swann Presents at ASHRAE Annual Meeting, June 2016
This year’s technical program at the ASHRAE Annual Meeting in beautiful St. Louis consists of sessions designed to inform industry professionals of advances in technology and practices. Mitch Swann, of MDC Systems, is involved in several of these enriching sessions. How to Predict the Long-Term Success of Your Green Design: The Five Characteristics that Determine
