Perspectives on Decision Making and Contracts
This month’s GroundBreak Corner offers perspectives on decision making, managing risks for commercial construction projects, features 2023 GroundBreaker Award winner John Hildreth, PhD of Western Carolina University, previews the eighth annual Clemson Construction Symposium, and assesses contractors’ confidence.
Considering Different Perspectives When Making Decisions
In Decision Making: The Virtues of Pessimism for an Optimist, ABC Carolinas member Brian King, founder and President of A M King, brings a fresh perspective to the value of including pessimistic and optimistic viewpoints in discussions. Since nearly every decision has a degree of concern and risk, different perspectives can help arrive at the best decision. Successful leaders will make the best decisions by hearing and understanding the perspective of both the optimist and the pessimist.
Mitigating Risks in Commercial Construction
It happens all the time – a contractor is walking a jobsite with the client and the client decides something needs to be changed. It could be anything from a paint color change to a multi-million-dollar scope addition, but all changes have one thing in common – they cost money to implement. The price of both materials and labor rises every day, making the consequences of project changes even more impactful to the bottom line. When it comes to mitigating the risk of implementing these changes, a written change order signed by all parties can make the difference between protracted litigation and a quick resolution. In Getting it in Writing: Best Way to Mitigate Risk in Commercial Construction Projects, Jamie Blue, Poyner Spruill, offers perspectives and insights valuable for every contractor.
GroundBreakers: John Hildreth, PhD, Western Carolina University
John Hildreth, PhD, Kimmel Distinguished Professor at Western Carolina University (WCU), was named a member of the Class of 2023 GroundBreakers — an exclusive group of individuals who have gone above and beyond to make a difference for the construction community in the Carolinas. Many of his former students work for ABC Carolinas member companies. Dr. Hildreth is known as an exceptional professor, mentor, and scholar in WCU’s Kimmel School of Construction Management, which offers one of the few construction management degrees within a College of Engineering. He is dedicated to making a lasting impact on construction management students and the construction industry.
Join ABC Carolinas at the Annual Clemson Construction Symposium
The eighth annual Construction Symposium, hosted by the Nieri Department of Construction, Development and Planning, will return to the Greenville Marriott on Sept. 14, 2023. The event will draw attendees from across the region, including facility owners, specialty contractors, designers, vendors and other construction industry service providers for an information-packed day of conversation, networking and experiential learning opportunities. Join ABC Carolinas for a TopGolf event the evening of Sept. 13 and at the Symposium on Sept. 14.
Contractors Remain Confident
Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 9.3 months in July, according to an ABC member survey conducted July 20 to Aug. 4. The reading is up by 0.6 months since July 2022.
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