CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS and DISPUTES – (Part 2)

Construction Claims Management Planning

This post is the second in a Subject Series  Construction Claims and Disputes which are (will be) discussions regarding managerial challenges in potential and actual construction claims situations.  In this series, we focus on the managerial aspects of construction claims and disputes management.  This post addresses the planning, a key managerial requirement in all project work.  First plan it, and then do (execute) the work.  The notion is consistent with the old adage “An ounce of prevention [in this case management] is worth a pound of cure.”  In that regard, litigation on a large and complex project can cost millions USD in expenses to pursue and may have tens of millions USD at issue.

Yes, construction claims and disputes can and should be managed.  This is particularly true of large and complex projects.

Prospective Construction Claims Management refers to the managerial approach and planning for managing the risks (and options, opportunities, etc.) during project execution through project close-out related to claims.

Retrospective Construction Claims Management (development, presentation and defending) will be addressed in another post.

Claims Avoidance There is a myth that construction claims can be avoided.  Experience shows that this is just a myth, since it relies on controlling the activities of others.  These others may be in an adversarial posture or position.  Hence, control cannot be readily achieved. [Read more…]

PROJECT PLANNING – Managerial Challenges (Part 2)

Project Initiation

This post is the second in a series of discussions regarding managerial challenges in current project management situations.  In this series, we focus heavily on the managerial aspects of program / project management.  This post addresses the starting point or initiation of the project.  This is a crucial challenge.

In a recent consulting assignment, M&M encountered a highly respected client using a phrase that is something like “Building the right project in the right manner.”  While this is paraphrased, the notion is clear.  But, what could they mean “Building the right project…?”  Why would an organization devote time and investment money to building the wrong project?  The answer typically resides in the Project Initiation process.  Inadequate attention and alignment regarding such items as the project objectives and scope of work [also known as the Project Scope Statement] can lead to a misguided start (and sadly sometimes, finish) of the wrong project.  Project Initiation is the essential foundation.

[Read more…]

PROJECT PROFESSIONALS POSTING RESUMPTION

McLaughlin and McLaughlin [M&M] is pleased to announce that they will resume postings at their blog, Project Professionals.  Since March 2012, M&M has been heavily involved with several large assignments [Canadian Oilsands program management support and construction claim regarding an international power plant project].  Now that workload permits, new blog postings will be offered.

M&M wishes to remind followers (new and ongoing) that there are many offerings at the Project Professional site.  They are organized by what we call Subject Series.

These Subject Series are:

  • Managing Risk of Delay [15 posts]
  • Contract Notice and Recognition [4 posts]
  • Productivity [18 posts]
  • Schedule Validation and Audits [3 posts]
  • Staffing Your Project Management Team [8 posts]
  • Project Management Challenges [11 posts]
  • Time Management – Schedule Specification Implementation [6 posts]
  • Ways of Working [1 post]

M&M will resume new posts with a Subject Series titled Success through Project Planning.  This Subject Series will focus on methodologies, process, sequencing, synchronization and other managerial considerations.

We hope that you will find these existing and new posts informative and relevant.

May we wish you the best of luck and let us all attempt to confront and deal with Project Management Challenges.  It is crucial that recognition and anticipation of these issues occur during initiation and planning.  However, the recognition and management should continue through execution, controlling and closeout.

Please note that McLaughlin and McLaughlin [M&M] is not a law firm and is not intending to provide legal advice.  M&M is a consulting firm providing (among other services) non-legal expertise in dispute resolution and litigation support.  The Resource Center is for the convenience of blog visitors and M&M does not offer this for commercial purposes.  For further information on M&M services, please see www.McLaughlinandMcLaughlin.com.

Labor/Labour Productivity – Cumulative Impact (Part 14)

This is McLaughlin and McLaughlins Project Professional’s fourteenth posting regarding labor/labour productivity and disruption.  This contribution provides an overview of process alternatives that are extremely helpful and valuable for all stakeholders concerned with labor productivity and management.

The Subject Series regarding Labor/Labour Productivity and Disruption can be viewed here.

It is widely recognized that changed work (sometimes called change orders – assuming that the contract is changed as a result) may have a negative impact on field labor productivity (lower productivity).  The impact of multiple changes may be recognized or sensed.  The challenges are both timely recognition and demonstration of cause and effect.  The publications listed below are some of the more useful and valuable references related to this cause and effect dynamic.

An article and related study published recently in Construction Lawyer has some valuable information and analytical process guidance that is very useful when considering potential impact to labor productivity resulting from changed work. [Read more…]

Labor/Labour Productivity –MCAA Publication (Part 13)

Changed Work, Productivity and Overtime

This is McLaughlin and McLaughlins Project Professional’s thirteenth posting regarding labor/labour productivity and disruption.  This contribution provides an overview of a construction industry publication that is extremely helpful and valuable for all stakeholders concerned with labor productivity and management.

The Subject Series regarding Labor/Labour Productivity and Disruption can be viewed here.

This publication is Change Orders, Productivity, Overtime, Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA).

[Read more…]

PRODUCTIVITY SERIES REVIEW (reissue 3)

McLaughlin and McLaughlins Project Professionals blog has a series of posts regarding labor/labour productivity.  Over the last six months we have added to this popular series.  The first summary was posted in June 2011.  There was a reissue in October 2011, and again in November 2011.  Readership has continued to increase.  Consequently, we are reissuing this updated and expanded post as an overview of the labor/labour productivity series.

This Subject Series is being updated and new posts will be added over the coming weeks and months.

Productivity is a hot topic and has given rise to much discussion and debate in the project management world.  Labor productivity can be a competitive advantage or a managerial challenge (actually, both and more).  Therefore, we believe that there is high potential benefit in a review of McLaughlin & McLaughlins Productivity Series.  Below, we have the titles and links to each post followed by a brief summary of the content.  We intend to augment these posts with additional writings on the subject.

MANAGING RISK OF DELAY – Subject Series Summary Update

This summary update provides readers with an overview of prior posts and provides a baseline for future posts that will follow on a timely basis.  The last summary was posted on June 12, 2011

This summary is very brief and simply serves as an index for readers to follow.  More robust summaries are provided in the June summary.  Of course, detailed descriptions are contained in the individual posts.

Ideally this summary provides a starting point to investigate best practice on many delay-related features of project management.

The Context and Challenge (Part 1) – Talk/Speech by Mr. Keith Pickavance

Time-Management Strategy (Part 2) – Strategy according to CIOB Guide

As-Planned Schedule / Accepted Programme (Part 3) – Establishing the Time Management Baseline

Schedule Preparation and Maintenance (Part 4) – Managing the Time Baseline

Earned Value Management (Part 5) – Importance and Management of the Time Baseline Tool

Critical Path and Earned Value Management (Part 6) – Managing with Critical Path, Earned Value Management and Productivity Tools

Earned Value and Schedule Performance Indicators (Part 7) – Time Management Tools

Schedule Specification Sources and Implementation (Part 8) – Managerial Tools with sources

Recognition and Notice (Part 9) – Managerial Alerting and Action Tools

Going forward, we will post other features of MANAGING THE RISK OF DELAY. [Read more…]

PRODUCTIVITY SERIES REVIEW (reissue 2)

McLaughlin & McLaughlin’s Project Professionals blog has a series of posts regarding labor/labour productivity. Over the last month we have added to this popular series.  The first summary was posted in June and the latest was a reissue in October 2011.  Readership has continued to increase.  Consequently, we are reissuing this updated and expanded post as an overview of the labor/labour productivity series.

Productivity is a hot topic and has given rise to much discussion and debate in the project management world.  Labor productivity can be a competitive advantage or a managerial challenge (actually, both and more).  Therefore, we believe that there is high potential benefit in a review of McLaughlin & McLaughlins Productivity Series.  Below, we have the titles and links to each post followed by a brief summary of the content.  We intend to augment these posts with additional writings on the subject. [Read more…]

Labor/Labour Productivity – Overtime Impacts (Part 12)

EVALUATING IMPACT

This is the twelfth posting regarding labor/labour productivity and disruption.  This contribution provides thoughts on the evaluation of impact of overtime on labor productivity.  The Subject Series can be viewed here.

Overtime or Extended Working Hours represent one of the widely recognized causes of loss in labor/labour efficiency or productivity.  A key issue for project planners and managers is the notion of how to evaluate this impact.  The evaluation challenge is present whether the analysis is prospective (contemporaneous) or retrospective.  Retrospective analyses can be used or required during project execution or part of forensic analyses.

Regarding the evaluation techniques, K Pickavance (please see below for citation) organizes the methods as follows:

  1. “Planned (undisrupted) versus actual (disrupted)”
  2. “Actual  (undisrupted) versus actual (disrupted) – the measured mile approach”
  3. “Historic (undisrupted – on other projects) versus actual (disrupted)”
  4. “Industry productivity norms (undisrupted) versus actual (disrupted)”
  5. “Time and motion study (undisrupted) versus actual (disrupted).”

As previously posted, project planning is one of the major challenges for program and project management teams.  Past posts have discussed many aspects of project planning.  The series regarding Project Management Challenges is here.  Part 5 of this series is particularly relevant or germane to the discussion regarding the impact of overtime on labor productivity in this post.

The impact of overtime on labor productivity is a relevant and serious consideration in many aspects of program and project management.  In the case of impact assessment, the anticipation of a particular analytical methodology is a planning consideration.  Said differently, the project planning should consider the data needed and the collection techniques to be used relative to the assessment of overtime impact on productivity.

Again, the impact on the schedule duration must consider the planned and forecasted progress using the proper productivity.  As overtime is introduced, progress may well be impacted.  The time impact of more work hours per week is mitigated or offset by the lowered productivity. [Read more…]

Labor/Labour Productivity – Overtime Impacts (Part 11)

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

This is the eleventh posting regarding labor/labour productivity and disruption.  This contribution provides managerial considerations or issues regarding the impact of overtime on labor productivity.  The Subject Series can be viewed here.

Two key points:

  1. “The project plan is needed as a baseline to calculate the expected cost and time performance (cost estimate or price and the project schedule)”
  2. “Time and cost forecasts must be evaluated and adjusted if the project plan execution changes and overtime is introduced, increased or reduced.”

Project planning is one of the major challenges for program and project management teams.  Past posts have discussed many aspects of project planning.  The series regarding Project Management Challenges is here.  Part 5 of this series is particularly relevant or germane to the discussion regarding the impact of overtime on labor productivity in this post.

The impact of overtime on labor productivity is a relevant and serious consideration in many aspects of program and project management.  Understanding the impact on labor/labour productivity and cost due to overtime is an essential skill related to both planning and forensic analyses.  Remember, the impact on productivity applies to all hours worked, not just the hours associated with premium time costs.  Hence, often the productivity impact is more costly than the premium time compensation component of the payroll costs.

Perhaps more importantly the impact on the schedule duration must consider the planned and forecasted progress using the proper productivity.  As overtime is introduced, progress may well be impacted.  The time impact of more work hours per week is mitigated or offset by the lowered productivity.

The impact of overtime on labor/labour productivity is not limited to construction field labor.  It presents in engineering, construction management, programming, consulting and other professional man-hours. [Read more…]