February 27 2008, 2:44 PM

Feedback on Faculty Candidates

We welcome your feedback on the candidates coming to our class.  Since we do not have much time during class to discuss the candidates, and since all of the faculty want to hear what your reactions are, please take the opportunity to post comments on an electronic bulletin board. This board is confidential, and only class members and CM faculty and staff can see what you post.  The candidates themselves will not be able to view the postings here. 

Please note, this is not a course requirement.  Participation is voluntary. 

Thank you!

February 19 2008, 2:51 PM

Earned Value Analysis

Today's presentation and example by Mr. Matthew Hallowell on Earned Value Analysis is now posted on the eReserve. This material will be on the homework and on the exam.  You should know what each of the variables are,  i.e., BCWP, BCWS, ACWS, SV, CV, and what they mean. 

January 27 2008, 5:28 PM

Assignment Solution and Office Hours

The Best of solution set for Assignment #2 is now posted on eReserves. 

Remember, office hours will be held in the Gould Hall computer lab this week (basement level of Gould Hall).  Both James and I will be there to support your Prolog adventures.

January 18 2008, 10:03 AM

Case Study: R&T Building

This week we have been exploring the intersection of team work and contracting methods.  Recently, researchers at  the CAUP Institute for Collaborative Building documented the innovative delivery process used for the new UW R&T Building.  This video is about 20 minutes and discusses integrated project delivery.

January 10 2008, 6:32 PM

Most Litigated Clauses and Key Subcontractor Clauses

We ran out of discussion time with my new current events section.  As promised, here are the top 5 most litigated clauses.  Review these and understand what they mean.  Be able to identify contract clauses that contain the following:

1.      1.  Notice Provisions – stipulates the requirement for the contractor to notify the owner that there is an issue on the project that causes delay or cost-overrun.  Mike M. Johnson Case (See readings on eReserves)– Strict adherence to notice.  The result -> Meritorious claims thrown out due to non compliance

2.  Differing site conditions – i.e. Rock not soil

3. No damage for delay – limited to time-only for delays (ie. Release from liquidated damages

4.     Indemnity clause – contractor holds harmless owner from 3^rd party claims

5.  Termination clauses – "default" termination justified, who breached contract first?

And, some key subcontractor clauses include:

1. Pay – if paid -- the subcontractor or supplier is only paid when the GC is paid.
2. Flow-down provisions – all obligations of prime to owner hold for sub to prime

Visit us in office hours to discuss these in more detail.  Also, these topics will be discussed in much more depth in the CM Construction Law class offered in the spring. 

January 10 2008, 6:09 PM

Partnering Workshop

Next week Thursday - January 17th, we will have a mock partnering workshop meeting in the classroom.  10 students will sit in front of the class and conduct the meeting, while the other students watch.  In a relay format, each student will take a turn at the front of the class.  The role assignments were distributed in class today. Partnering workshop consultants will organize and lead the discussion, while the other students will represent different project participate view points. 

This simulated partnering workshop is different from a real workshop in that the real workshop is an all day meeting.  In a real workshop, you would break into smaller teams and discuss the goals, objectives, concerns, and success factors in a brainstorming workshop fashion, then gather back in a larger group to come to a consensus regarding the project goals and plans. 

Action:

1.  Since we do not have a full day for this mock workshop, you are encouraged to meet with your group before the class begins (or at least exchange emails with your teammates) to do some initial brainstorming and planning for your 10 minute session in class.     

2.  During class, you will participate in the workshop according to your role, and observe others as they conduct the meeting.  Your objectives are two fold:  1) brainstorming ideas, and 2) come to consensus.

3.  For the homework  (part of assignment 3), you formalize the partnering workshop based on the discussions and decisions made during the class period. 

Remember Bud Griffis' advise (Leadership paper #2)  Have Fun. 

January 8 2008, 2:20 PM

Grading Rubric

We are working with a new format this year - on the assignment page, you will have a spreadsheet that contains the learning objectives and grading rubric that James and I will use to review your assignments.  This is a guide to how we measure professional presentation of materials and communicate our goals and expectations for each assignment. 

January 6 2008, 6:36 PM

Introduction

Welcome back!  Hope you had a great winter holiday break and are ready for a new year.

This website contains the course content and this page will be updated periodically with course annoucements.  So, check back regularly!

There are several resources for your studies in Project Management.  One of those is the library eReserve, where you will find additional readings on course topics.  There are two readings there on the first topic: Leadership and team building. (We encourage you to read these items;  they may show up in strange places like the mid-term and final exams).

Leadership Development of Construction Project Managers by Charles Skipper & Lansford Bell

Leadership in the Management of Construction by F. H. (Bud) Griffis & Norman Brown. 

You are members of a diverse group. One of you grew up in Ballard. Others were born in Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Korea and Taiwan. One of you will soon be a Texan. Many of you mentioned that you intend to travel after graduation.

When you aren't working you like to fish, bicycle, play soccer and baseball. None of you mentioned that you were Seahawks fans.

Your have a variety of previous education and work experiences. Many of you already have undergraduate degrees. Some of you have changed majors. A significant portion of you have hands-on construction experience. At least one of you has practiced architecture.

One of your classmates is renovating the high school James attended.

Most of you mentioned or implied that you take your studies and work seriously. Some of you work for, or plan to work for, large general contractors. Others are pursuing careers in residential construction or development. Some of you wish to work for public agencies. Others will become civil engineers or architects. A few of you serve in the United States Armed Forces

Surprisingly few of you mentioned an interest in Building Information Modeling, Green Building or Design-Build Construction.

As you move forward in your careers, we encourage you to take the time to get to know your class mates, co-workers, architects, engineers, owners, facility managers and trades-people. We believe that you will find the people you meet and work with, as well as the friendships you build, to be the most rewarding part of your career. - James and Carrie

eReserves are in the online library for you to review. These documents will agument the reading and provide you valuable information for your career. This material may also appear on assignments and exams. Keep checking in to see what's new.