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New Guide Helps Owners Manage Building Project Uncertainty

New Guide Helps Owners Manage Building Project Uncertainty

The informative guide explains the causes of uncertainty, describes best practices for managing risk, and includes a Contingency Calculator to help owners plan for their impacts on project schedule, budget and performance

NEW YORK – June 14, 2018 – Building construction projects are expensive, technical, and challenging to stay within budget and on schedule – even for owners experienced in the design and construction processes. Owners need to be informed partners on projects, according to Steve Jones, Senior Director of Industry Insights Research at Dodge Data & Analytics: “Dodge research has consistently revealed that owner engagement in the design and construction process is critical to reducing risk and enhancing a project’s success.”

To help building owners navigate this challenge, the AIA Large Firm Roundtable has led a coalition of construction industry organizations in creating a concise guide that helps owners anticipate the major causes of uncertainty in building projects and provides best practices to manage and potentially mitigate those risks. The guide, titled the Project Planning Guide for Owners and Project Teams, is available for free download at https://www.construction.com/toolkit/reports/project-planning-guide-owners-project-teams.The guide draws on a Dodge Data & Analytics SmartMarket Report — “Managing Uncertainty and Expectations in Building Design and Construction” — to address the top factors owners need to consider. The original research report is available at https://www.construction.com/toolkit/reports/managing-uncertainty-expectations-building-design-construction.

The new guide provides a simple Contingency Calculator that owners can use to plan budget reserves for the entire lifecycle of a project. “Surprisingly, the original study found that most owners have no specific methods for determining budget contingencies,” says Clark Davis, FAIA, Principal Consultant with Cameron MacAllister Group and leader of the Managing Uncertainty program for the Large Firm Roundtable and other sponsors. “This tool alone will help owners save money and improve project performance.”

The most important feature of the guide is a clear, direct explanation of the risks involved in construction projects and the best ways to mitigate them. “We look forward to being able to share this with our clients when we begin new projects,” says Thom Penney, FAIA, President/CEO of LS3P Architects and former national president of AIA. “It will form the basis of an informed discussion about what the owner needs to think about and what we can all do from the start to make projects more successful.”

The coalition of sponsors for this effort, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the Lean Construction Institute (LCI), the Construction Owners’ Association of America (COAA), the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) and Graphisoft, demonstrates broad industry recognition that better-informed owners and better project team collaboration will improve the final results.

A Dodge-hosted webinar based on the guide, titled “How to Improve Client Satisfaction and Achieve Design Intent,” is being planned for Thursday, August 9th at 2 p.m. ET. Click here to register.

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About Dodge Construction Network Dodge Construction Network leverages an unmatched offering of data, analytics, and industry-spanning relationships to generate the most powerful source of information, knowledge, insights, and connections in the commercial construction industry. The company powers four longstanding and trusted industry solutions—Dodge Data & Analytics, The Blue Book Network, Sweets, and IMS—to connect the dots across the entire commercial construction ecosystem. Together, these solutions provide clear and actionable opportunities for both small teams and enterprise firms. Purpose-built to streamline the complicated, Dodge Construction Network ensures that construction professionals have the information they need to build successful businesses and thriving communities. With over a century of industry experience, Dodge Construction Network is the catalyst for modern commercial construction. To learn more, visit construction.com

Media Contact :
Cailey Henderson | 104 West Partners | cailey.henderson@104west.com

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About Dodge Construction Network
Dodge Construction Network is a solutions technology company providing an unmatched offering of data, analytics, and industry-spanning relationships to generate the most powerful source of information, knowledge, insights, and connections in the commercial construction industry. The company powers longstanding and trusted industry solutions to timely connect and enable decision makers across the entire commercial construction ecosystem. For more than a century, Dodge Construction Network has empowered construction professionals with the information they need to build successful, growing businesses. To learn more, visit construction.com

Media Contact:
Amy Roepke | amy.roepke@construction.com

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