Providing Expert Solutions For Projects Worldwide

Providing Expert Solutions For Projects Worldwide

Phone: (610) 640-9600

Fax: (484) 301-0969

Category: Articles

Benchmarking – The Early Path to Success

Benchmarking – The Early Path to Success

The benchmarking process is one where a project’s general scope using key metrics is compared to other similar projects. This general metric/scope includes such items as total gross square feet, net square feet, rentable square feet, net-to-gross ratio, number of occupants, the number of particular spaces (i.e. number of rooms in a hotel), general configuration (footprint and/or number of stories), location of project, and timeframe. If this initial comparison doesn’t illuminate a projects cost and/or schedule similarities or peculiarities, then one must delve deeper into the project scope to determine any or all differences. This means the stakeholders must understand the projects detailed scope parameters such as type of structure, assumed number of interior spaces, the level of finishes and specialties, the vertical transportation needs, the requirements of the mechanical and electrical systems, and site specific differences (roads, utilities, parking, etc.). Once this type of comparison is completed, a proposed facility should be fully benchmarked against its peers.

Continue Reading

read more
Shipyards: Dealing with Disruption Claims

Shipyards: Dealing with Disruption Claims

Shipyards that are building or repairing ships operate in a very complicated marketplace where costs are carefully monitored. Often claims are submitted requesting additional costs above the stated contract amount because problems beyond the shipyard’s control resulted in disruption of their as-planned flow of work. All too often, the alleged problems follow a pattern that becomes apparent when analyzing such claims. Common allegations of disruption include excessive owner changes, delays in approving changes, late responses to inquiries and problems, defective design, late or defective information or equipment supplied by the owner, and over-inspection. Such allegations form the basis for requests for equitable adjustments, claims, and lawsuits. However, many claims overlook problems that may be the responsibility of the shipyard such as underbidding the costs, rework due to poor performance, management and planning inadequacies, detail design errors, procurement problems and labor difficulties.

Continue Reading

read more
Making Offshore Engineering Pay Off

Making Offshore Engineering Pay Off

Most manufacturers can easily tick off any number of practical reasons either for building new factories in China, India, Vietnam, and other low-cost nations or for buying parts from suppliers based in those countries. Simplified supply chains, better inventory management, and sharply reduced costs are among the obvious benefits. But the same group displays less enthusiasm for offshoring design and engineering.

Continue Reading

read more
Time Impact Analysis Rosetta Stone for CPM

Time Impact Analysis Rosetta Stone for CPM

In this edition: Time Impact Analysis (TIA®) The Rosetta Stone for CPM Schedule Analysis Robert C. McCue, P.E., Consulting Engineer Mark D. Steele, P.E., Consulting Engineer Critical Path Method (CPM) schedules and formalized methods of analyzing schedule impacts...

read more
Water Treatment: Not Just a Third World Issue

Water Treatment: Not Just a Third World Issue

Donald R. Keer, P.E., Esq. MDCSystems® Consulting Engineer In March the United Nations celebrated World Water Day 2013 by choosing Water Cooperation (supplying clean, accessible water to vulnerable communities) as its theme. With continuous pressure being put on...

read more
“No Damage for Delay” Clauses – An Update

“No Damage for Delay” Clauses – An Update

“No damage for delay” clauses continue to divide the country and the courts on their application and interpretation. Although owners and prime contractors insist on enforceability, the net result typically shifts the risk onto the party least likely to negotiate fair limits, to control events on the jobsite and absorb the ultimate cost. Nevertheless, these clauses are found in most construction contracts in some form or another.

Continue Reading

read more
Risk Management in Design

Risk Management in Design

In previous editions of the MDCAdvisor®, our contributors have addressed risk issues relative to budgeting and cost estimating as well as overall risk considerations. A key contributor to almost all of the potential project risk scenarios is the conception, development and execution of the design process for the project.

Continue Reading

read more
What’s That Smell?? Mold – The New ‘Asbestos’

What’s That Smell?? Mold – The New ‘Asbestos’

E. Mitchell Swann, P.E. MDCSystems® Consulting Engineer Mold cases have become almost as prolific in the legal world as the little fuzzy devils themselves in the real world. Mold is a hot topic and claims associated with mold, mildew and related IAQ issues including...

read more