By Robert C. McCue, P.E., and Michelle N. Delehanty, P.E. Consulting Engineers The current COVID-19 shutdowns of construction projects across multiple industries all over the world are unprecedented. The plans to begin construction work again will be riddled with challenges such as resource confusion, economic uncertainty, and other environmental restrictions. In the construction industry, for
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Just-In-Time Supply Chains Could be in Trouble
The Coronavirus puts new emphasis on the evolving complexity of risks that must be balanced in the design and construction industries. The most unpredictable facet of construction risk management is the effects of unstable just-in-time supply chains. We are aware that isolated supply chain bottlenecks exist, but this latest disruption may be the next Black
What Is A Premortem
A premortem is a project management strategy in which a project team imagines that a project has failed, and then works backward to determine what potentially could lead to that failure. The technique breaks group-think by facilitating a positive discussion on threats, increasing the likelihood that the main threats are identified. It is unlike a
Protecting Profitability
In construction projects there are three main areas of importance to a successful project – scope, schedule, and budget. It is vital to have a clear definition of the scope of work, a defined schedule including milestones, and the cost of performance based on the scope and schedule. These “Big Three” must be in balance at bid submission time, remain in balance when the actual work starts, and continue to be balanced until project completion.
Complexity: The Fifth Dimension of Project Management
This extreme example allows for an understanding of how Complexity (The Fifth Dimension of Project Management) imposes itself on the project just when it appears that computing power will allow the project team to craft and implement the “perfect” detailed schedule. What about the typical modern project without the added detail?
Construction Management – Owner Beware Contractor Beware
The fast-paced design and construction industry continues to make impressive progress across the country and around most of the world. While many worry about the inevitable slow down / recession a more immediate problem confronts both Owners and Builders. Capacity constraints evidenced by shortages of materials, equipment and skilled labor are overshadowing all parts of
