RESOURCE CENTER UPGRADE

The purpose of this post is to advise readers that the Project Professionals Resource Center feature or page has been upgraded.  Please visit this useful page and familiarize yourself with the content.  Please visit the Resource Links page which provides links to useful industry tools and resources.  The pages were derived from years of frustration searching for reliable, substantiated references.  So, the desires to share our choices are listed on the noted pages.

The Resource Center feature of this McLaughlin and McLaughlin [M&M] blog provides blog visitors with information and links to important and useful publications that relate to project management and dispute resolution in project work.

Recently, the Resource Center was upgraded to include several new publications, cite a new version of Mr. Pickavance’s book on delay and add some useful Resource Link updates. [Read more…]

Labor Productivity and Disruption – Managerial Considerations

This is the seventh posting regarding labor productivity and disruption. The Subject Series can be viewed here.  In large and complex projects, a prime contractor may or may not direct hire the field labor.  Often, the field labor is hired by major subcontractors (contractors hired by prime contractor).  Examples are civil, structural steel, mechanical, piping, electrical and controls.

For the prime contractor [or similarly for Owner/Employer], subcontractor productivity is seemingly not important or relevant.  This is particularly true if the subcontractor in question is on a fixed price or fixed unit price contract.  However, events that are created by Owner/Employer or Contractor that impact the subcontractor’s productivity create potential liabilities.  Further, once the subcontractor discovers the loss, a claim is likely to emerge.

Consequently, positive action is needed.  There is a legitimate need for the Owner/Employer and Contractor to be informed.  Managerial overlay, visibility and attention are components in the overall project management challenge. [Read more…]