Financial Statement Impact of the Rent/Lease/Buy Decision for Contractors using Heavy Equipment
Contractors with substantial equipment requirements must carefully weigh all of the quantitative and qualitative factors related to how they finance their equipment. Certain of these factors...
The Forms and Variations of the CM System
The CM system has slowly acquired identity and definition since its spontaneous and controversial start nearly two decades ago. The numerous proprietary forms and variations of the system,...
The History of Construction Management
Construction Management's origins can be traced to several forerunners, and its development, although short, has seen many changes of both practice and attitude. Its cost...
Educational Programs Supporting the CM System
The speed with which the CM system has entered the daily practices of the industry has caught educators in a lag. The management of construction and construction management were considered...
A CM Multiple Contracting Cost Model
The original purpose for construction management was cost savings through time savings and efficient operations. As the CM system expanded in use and scope of services other very significant...
A Review of Current Contract Documents
Three separate industry groups have published contract documents to be used with the construction management project delivery system. The documents parallel each other in certain respects,...
A CM's Exposure to Liability
Before identifying potential liability, it is first necessary to define the construction manager's (CM) status and duties. These are delineated in the contract requirements...
Avoiding Failures Caused by Lack of Management
Engineering failure often results from administrative or managerial failure. In addition to providing sound engineering or technical services, we have a responsibility to administer and...
Bridging the Joints in Bridges
Most bridges are designed with gaps in them. The cracks allow bridges to expand and contract as the temperature changes. But water can enter these gaps and foul bearings and structural...
The Training of the Owner
Engineers would do well to explain to their clients just what the role of the engineer is. The place to start is with one's ability to produce a perfect set of plans. Imperfections...
Management Lessons from Engineering Failures
Engineering failures are not always catastrophic. More are due to improper management of contracts rather than actual physical failures. Some result in loss of life; most result in disputes...
Use of Private Contracting in Highway Maintenance
Managing the business of highway and bridge maintenance in this country is largely a function of the public sector. As in the private sector, economic realities during the past decade...
Micros Go Afield
Taking microcomputers into the field is boosting productivity at construction sites and other field offices. Four examples presented in this article include an owner calculating payments...
How Do Engineers Learn to Manage?
Most engineers prefer design problems to management problems, but if a firm is to prosper, project managers must learn to manage and devote time to management. Earth Technology Corporation...
A Contractor Looks at Slope Protection for Arctic Offshore Artificial Islands
Some thirty artificial gravel islands for oil and gas drilling/production have been built in the Beaufort Sea since early 70's. Protection of slopes of the islands and causeways...
Hazardous Waste: Closing the Insurance Gap
Insurers are withdrawing from the hazardous waste field because of large claims and increased risks. Therefore, cleanup contractors are being forced to look for alternative ways to protect...
Bid-Rigging: An Inside Story
William Carter, engineer and ASCE member, spent five months in prison in 1980 on conviction of conspiracy under U.S. antitrust laws in a case involving a Tennessee highway project for...
Procurement of New Passenger Rail Cars from Japan
In May 1983 the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) signed a contract with Sumitomo Corporation of America, in which Sumitomo agreed to furnish 63 new stainless steel gallery...
Construction Management: Dallas North Tollway Project
This article will attempt to illustrate the importance of flexibility of the design and construction inspection process to insure the project is constructed within the time and budget...
Closed Negotiations?Out with the Poker Players
The paper describes the closed negotiation process employed by one owner/client, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, in procuring firm, fixed price design service contracts. Although not...
Return to search