Effective Construction Project Documentation
Presented by:
J. Scott Lowe, P.E., Principal
William Milliken, Director
Trauner Consulting Services, Inc.
This program describes why good documentation is so important and why contemporaneous documentation created by the stakeholders during the life of a construction project is even more important. The various ways that construction projects are documented and preserved for posterity during the course of a construction project will be described, and suggestions for making this documentation more fact-focused and effective will be presented. It will be shown how effective communications and documentation can increase the likelihood of resolving issues in a timely manner and without resort to the claims or litigation process. Real-life examples of both effective and not-so-effective communications are presented.
This presentation covers the following types of project documents: pre-construction documentation, standard records (meeting minutes, logs, RFIs), testing and inspections, communications (emails, letters, schedules), how to document oral conversations, and tips for effective photographs and videos.
Upon completion of this 90-minute program, you will be able to:
- Identify when an event should be documented
- Recognize when a response to another’s documentation is required
- Draft an effective letter, memo, or email that is neutral in its tone, focused on facts, and omits editorial or inflammatory comments
- Create unbiased meeting minutes
- Complete daily reports that accurately recount what happened on the project
- Better understand the need for a filing system that is used by all and facilitates the retrieval of relevant facts
- And much, much more!
Who Will Benefit?
This presentation is a must if you’re a contractor, public or private owner, subcontractor, construction manager, owner’s representative, architect or other design professional writing contracts or providing project oversight services. It would also be beneficial to the attorneys that represent these parties in disputes.
Meet Your Expert Instructors:
J. Scott Lowe, P.E., is a Principal with Trauner Consulting Services, Inc. His expertise lies in the areas of critical path method scheduling, construction claim preparation and evaluation, dispute resolution, technical document development, contract administration, and cost analysis. He has directed and performed virtually all types of analyses, including delay, productivity and efficiency, including cost and the determination of damages, on varied projects throughout the U.S. and abroad. On many occasions, he has provided expert testimony at deposition, arbitration, and trial.
William Milliken is a director with Trauner Consulting Services, Inc. During Bill’s years spent in construction management, he has experienced first-hand the importance of effective project documentation. His expertise also extends to estimating and buyout, change order negotiation, project accounting, project documentation and controls, construction contracts, and general project reporting. He is experienced and knowledgeable with regard to schedule development, review, analysis, and delay mitigation.
