Articles & White Papers

CMAA's editorial staff is dedicated to the examination of timely issues confronting the architectural, engineering, and construction communities. Resources included present the multiplicity of views that exist within the CMAA membership and all involved in the construction process.

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Business Development

5 Ways of Addressing the Labor Shortage to Recruit and Retain Staff

Written by: Stephen H. Lewis, Vice President and National AEC Industry Leader, Segal | The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides an opportunity to change the landscape of America. Federal spending to build and repair U.S. infrastructure is expected to increase by over $550 billion. Government contractors, especially those specializing in heavy civil construction, could receive substantial amounts of economic stimulus if they effectively prepare and have the right talent at the ready.

A Collaborative Approach to Business Continuity Planning

Written by: Gus Morales, Principal Analyst, Security and Safety, Gannett Fleming | Cybercrimes cost more than $9.5 trillion in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for business continuity planning. Can your enterprise survive an attack? Do you have plans and policies in place to maintain your critical infrastructure?

A Different Voice: How Women Are Driving the Future Of Construction

Written by: InEight Blog Editors | With widespread labor shortages facing our industry, engagement within the female population is essential to achieving any hope of expanding and delivering successful construction projects in 2023 and beyond. It is also a very smart business move. Why? Because the numbers don’t lie.

A Women’s Institution

Written by: Jessica Packard, Content Strategy Manager, ClockShark | With an industry-wide labor shortage and an economy resurging after a global pandemic, the construction industry is scrambling to staff jobs and complete projects. According to an Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and Autodesk survey in mid-2022, 66% of contractors had projects that were delayed because of labor shortages.

Best-in-Class Bookkeeping for Construction Business Owners

Written by: Garrett Baird, President and CEO, The Neat Company | A construction business whose structures collapse is doomed to failure. This is why blueprints are drawn and foundations must be solid. A construction business that fails to keep its books is equally at risk of failure.

Beyond Prediction: Implementing Actionable Analytics in Construction Management

Written by: Rohit Shinde, PE, Project Controls Lead, Black & Veatch Corporation | Construction projects generate mountains of data daily — material deliveries, labor hours, equipment utilization, weather conditions, quality inspections, and countless other metrics. Yet most project managers find themselves drowning in spreadsheets while making critical decisions based on gut instinct and limited visibility in their operations. The construction industry has spent years chasing predictive analytics, but the real opportunity lies in implementing systems that don't just forecast problems; they

Build Winning Sales Presentations With Digital Technology

Written by: Cory Factor, President, Sportsdigita | For sales and marketing teams in the construction industry, keeping up with the trends and times is just as important as it is for materials and design professionals.

Cash Isn’t King. Cash Flow Is.

Written by: Bruce Orr, Founder and Chief Data Scientist, ProNovos | It’s not how much cash you have; it’s how well you control the movement of cash through your projects, partners, and pipeline. Why? Because without visibility into how money is moving — when it’s coming in, going out, and where it’s getting stuck — you’re not running your business. You’re reacting to it. It’s time for contractors to shift the focus from cash to cash flow.

Coaching Your Team to Think Strategically

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | It’s typical for a business owner or leader to believe that strategic decisions are their responsibility – after all, they have the “big picture” view of the business and how all the pieces fit together. On the other hand – remember the axiom “no one of us is as smart as all of us.” Why not harness your team’s knowledge and experience to assist in making strategic decisions?

Considerations in Cross-Cultural Negotiations

Written by: Bob Prieto, a member of the National Academy of Construction since 2011 | This article describes how the writer has seen cultural differences enter into negotiations and other business dealings with a client, partner, or supplier and the acknowledgement that regional cultural differences within a culture can be equally important.

Construction Attorney: Compliance ‘Weakest Part’ of Supplier Diversity Efforts

Written by: Joe Bousquin, Senior Reporter, Construction Dive | Diversity and inclusion goals on construction projects have made a lot of news recently. To gain more insight into the issues around meeting supplier diversity goals on projects, Construction Dive talked with Paula Finch, an attorney at St. Louis-based Greensfelder who specializes in helping construction firms navigate this sometimes confounding area of jobsite management.

Construction Bidding: The Ultimate Guide To Securing More Jobs

Written by: InEight Behind the Build Blog Editors | While each phase of a construction project carries the weight of its own importance, the construction bidding process may be one of the most critical steps for general contractors and subcontractors. Learning how to master the construction bidding process can make all the difference between securing new business or losing out to the competition.

Control of Project Risk for Owners

Written by: Chris Carson, CCM, PMP, Director of Program and Project Controls, Arcadis | Maximum and most effective control of Owner’s project risk requires a risk planning and management culture integral to the project controls disciplines of cost and time management. There is no simple one-step process, but rather a proactive and planned effort.

Corporate Business Processes For the Real World

Written by: Rick Deans, Executive Vice President of Industry Engagement, InEight Inc. | Sometimes people bristle at the idea of defining business processes. These two words, when put together, conjure up images of consultants, whiteboards, and dizzying Visio flows with no shortage of boxes and arrows joining them.

Corporate Business Processes For the Real World v1

Written by: Rick Deans, Executive Vice President of Industry Engagement, InEight, Inc. | Sometimes people bristle at the idea of defining business processes. These two words, when put together, conjure up images of consultants, whiteboards, and dizzying Visio flows with no shortage of boxes and arrows joining them.

Does the House Always Win?

Written by: Gregg M. Schoppman, Consultant, FMI Corporation | In the construction industry, organizations often have treasure troves of data but don’t use it. Here's how recognizing the difference between being data driven and data actionable can improve your business.

Draft Your Org Chart for Growth and Profit

Written by: George Hedley, Professional Construction Business Coach, Consultant, and Speaker | Many contractors want to grow their companies to the next level but can’t and therefore don’t. They usually get stuck at a certain size and stop growing for multiple reasons. Working harder and smarter doesn’t solve this problem, and eventually they reach their maximum level of what they can do without hiring more people. Why? Business owners try to do too much themselves and have trouble letting go and allowing their employees to make their own decisions.

Eight Future-Proofing Business Strategies

Written by: Sarah Jones, AEC Section Writer, Design & Make with Autodesk | The Industrial Revolution took 80 years. The Digital Revolution took 46 years. Today, the speed of artificial intelligence (AI) computing power doubles every three months. Take this unprecedented pace of technology and add financial shocks, supply-chain disruptions, natural disasters, cyber threats, and a pandemic into the mix, and you have a perfect storm of business disruption.

Eight Steps for Changing Organizational Culture in Companies of All Sizes

Written by: Kimberly Holland, Lifestyle Writer and Editor. Republished from Redshift. | Defining an organization’s culture - or changing it - so that every person is on the same page requires much more than writing a vision in a handbook or posting a placard in a lobby. Organizational culture requires a top-to-bottom strategy of adaptive, innovative redevelopment.

Eight Ways to Build Your Brand

Written by: Chemene Phillips, Founder and President, BRIXBranding | Contractors often downplay marketing efforts and instead rely on word-of-mouth connections, but a few simple steps can help find new clients, says this construction branding expert.

Elevating Our Assets in 2024: Three Trends For Continued Success in Construction

Written by: Jake Macholtz, CEO, InEight | After a season of global labor shortages, supply chain challenges, and evolving regulations, the construction industry remains as optimistic as ever. According to InEight’s Global Capital Projects Outlook, Third Edition, 92% of owners and 99% of contractors worldwide are optimistic about the future — and it is easy to see why. We are living in an era of unprecedented opportunity.

Fellows’ Perspective: Part 6 - The Growth of CMAA Chapters

Written by: CMAA College of Fellows Communications Committee | In our Fellows Perspective series, we have examined the evolution of project delivery methods and the development of CMAA over the past five decades, including the establishment of 10 chapters. This edition further explores how these chapters implemented their initial programs to provide value to their members and facilitate the growth of their respective organizations.

Five Construction Trends To Watch In 2026

Written by: Sebastian Obando, Reporter, Construction Dive | Contractors will need to depend on a familiar formula in 2026. Over the past 12 months, construction activity leaned heavily on a narrow group of winning sectors. Tech giants pledged billions to expand the buildouts of their data center footprints. Public infrastructure construction, such as highways and water works, hummed along despite overarching funding pressures.

Five Equipment Manufacturing Trends to Watch in 2023

Written by: Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Staff Writers | With 2022 firmly in the rearview mirror and the new year now underway, it’s clear many of the opportunities and challenges impacting equipment manufacturers today are poised to remain as relevant as ever in the weeks and months ahead. With that in mind, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) caught up with several staff leaders to hear which ones, specifically, are top-of-mind for them at the moment.

Five Investment Strategies to Accelerate Digital Transformation ROIs

Written by: Prakash Kota, Autodesk CIO | Flashback to early 2020. Everyone was going about their business, doing things a certain way when the pandemic shook everything up. Two years later, one thing remains clear: Change is necessary. For businesses to exist in this new normal and beyond, digital transformation is critical to accommodate remote work, pivot to new business models, and succeed in volatile markets.

Five Lessons From Launching A New Construction Office Location Across State Lines

Written by: Jennifer Kinsey, General Manager and Commercial Business Unit Leader, Reeves Young | Whether opening a new construction firm for the first time or branching off from a larger headquarters, there are fundamentals to every business pursuit. The first weeks of a new office opening, especially when you’re a state away from headquarters, are exciting but also the most challenging. It’s a field test for leaders as they build a team while building credibility, meet partners while setting up systems, and try to look steady on the outside while solving the inevitable and unglamorous issues

Five Trends Expected to Drive E&C Industry Growth in 2024

Written by: Michelle Meisels, Principal, Deloitte Consulting | Despite market-cooling uncertainties like volatile material prices, labor shortages, and high interest rates, the engineering and construction (E&C) industry is poised for growth in 2024. Sustainable practices and technological advancements combined with recent government legislation are likely to boost construction activity, according to Deloitte’s 2024 engineering and construction industry outlook.

Five Ways to Connect With Customers to Build Long-Term Partnerships

Written by: Emily Newton, Writer for Construction Executive | Whether renovating a home or designing offices for a startup, every structure reflects those who work in it and become patrons of it. That is why construction professionals and contractors must connect with customers uniquely because their work is personalized. Communication is the crux behind long-term relationships in business.

Five Ways to Navigate Relationship Roadblocks with Trust & Positivity

Written by: Joe Egan, President, Egan Connection Inc. | Construction is a competitive industry that can be harsh at times. It hurts to try hard and still experience failure, especially when the cycle can be relentless. But even failure has merit and can help you build character in a way that also builds your business.

Four Reasons to Embrace the Business Value of BIM for Owners

Zach Mortice, architectural journalist based in Chicago | The business value of BIM for owners can’t be denied when it comes to managing cost, reducing waste, and driving efficiency in building projects. As digital construction gains wider adoption, there’s a new consensus: BIM isn’t BIM unless the entire project team uses it the same way.

Four Rules for Holding More Effective Meetings and Cultivating Better Outcomes

Written by: George Hedley, Professional Construction BIZCOACH and Industry Speaker | Most construction company team meetings waste time. When people are told what to do — rather than being allowed to make their own decisions — they are not accountable for the outcome.

Four Steps to Clarity in Construction Insurance

Written by: John Fischl, Pacific Regional Executive, Sentry Insurance, and Dave Garcia, President,Rancho Mesa Insurance Services Inc.r Steps to Clarity in Construction Insurance | Your insurance isn’t a one-time transaction, though. In most cases, you’ll need to renew your insurance every year — but you shouldn’t click the submit button before reassessing your needs. Your business changes year to year, and so should your policy when it does.

Four Things Every Contractor Should Know About Insurance

Written by: Jacquelyn M. Mohr, Partner, Pasich LLP | Proper insurance is a critical risk-management tool for contractors, design professionals, and project owners. Disputes are an inevitable cost of doing business, and the importance of understanding the types of insurance available and which claims might be covered has never been more vital for a business’s bottom line.

How Creative Conflict Can Propel Business Negotiations

Written by: Bill Sanders, CEO, Mobus Creative Negotiating | The business-to-business (B2B) landscape has changed dramatically over the years. But several megatrends continue to progress, including globalization, technological disruption, instant information exchange, and customized solutions versus commoditized inputs. These trends have led to new ways of doing business and new kinds of business transactions.

How Do I Create a KPI for My Business?

Written by: Steve Coughran, Founder, Coltivar | As your business grows, complexity increases. You have more people, more moving parts, and less time to analyze every detail yourself. That’s where KPIs come in. They help you narrow your focus to the most important performance signals — allowing you to lead proactively instead of reactively.

How Modern Manufacturing and Construction Are Converging to Build Better

Written by: Markkus Rovito, Content Marketing Specialist, Autodesk | The manufacturing and construction industries have approached adopting advanced technology a bit differently. Manufacturing has a major lead on construction in taking digital transformation journeys that digitize operations and find multiple efficiencies based on collecting and analyzing operational data. By applying some of the lessons and techniques of smart manufacturing, construction is becoming more digital and also more efficient, safe, and sustainable.

How to Attract Quality Interns and Run a Quality Internship Program at Your Firm

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | In order to help summer interns have more purposeful engagements, and for you to structure a worthwhile internship program, I recently interviewed the heads of the three programs. The three span the country from east-coast to west-coast, and represent small, medium, and large-sized firms. This article shares their best practices.

How to Build an Inclusive Construction Pipeline in 2023

Written by: Stacee Barkley, Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader, DPR Construction | The best of construction’s inclusion intentions will remain unachieved if they are not matched with policies and practices that enable and hold us all accountable. Suggestions for mapping out a game plan for more equity on jobsites.

How to Create Your Company’s Ultimate Process Playbook

Written by: Gregg M. Schoppman, Partner, FMI Corporation | Operationally superior engineering and construction (E&C) firms continuously implement changes to processes and procedures to make sure they’re operating at the highest level. Creating an operationally superior E&C firm, whether you’re a general contractor or a specialty trade contractor, takes diligence, continuous review, and constant changes to processes and procedures.

How to Effectively Manage a Diverse Team in 2023

Written by: Masai Lawson, Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition & Inclusion, Gannett Fleming | Team diversity refers to the differences across individuals of a team based on various identifiers like gender, culture, age, ability, education, and overall experience and perspective. So, how do leaders manage individuals to empower diverse and high-performing teams in an ever-changing environment? Here are some ways to keep diverse teams engaged for long-term success.

How to Heighten Your Hiring Practices

Written by: George Hedley, Construction BIZCOACH, Hardhat BIZSCHOOL | In order for a company to grow, scale, and profit, owners must build a team to handle the heavy lifting by hiring, training, mentoring, and handing off control to the company’s up-and coming leaders.

How to Identify and Drive the Right Motivators Within Your Organization

Written by: Gregg M. Schoppman, Consultant, FMI Corporation | Ask any construction leader what they think the most common reason for employee flight is and you will hear a common refrain: money. However, most studies show that employees often leave for a more personal reason: the relationship with their immediate supervisor.

How to Know Whether Training Is Worth The Cost or a Waste of Resources

Written by: Dr. Scott Arias, President, ACE Consulting | Is training really a waste of time and money? Many are quick to respond “yes” or “no,” but it is wise to consider a few items before answering the question. Before you even begin to respond, you must understand what training truly is. When discussing the subject, it may be easy to confuse training with formal post-secondary education.

How to Make Succession Planning Standard Operating Procedure

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | Succession planning is often a “We’ll get to that later” task, but having a detailed plan in place is a matter of risk management. To make it easy for you, this article covers three ways to make succession planning standard operating procedure. By implementing these three methods you will subtly and painlessly make knowledge sharing, learning, and coaching others standard operating procedure, which in turn enables you to do effortless succession planning.

How to Pick Your Path to Progress

Written by: Gregg M. Schoppman, Consultant, FMI Corporation | Strategic planning always seems to come back to a question of how to grow a business profitably. While the areas in which a firm might grow are infinite, the reality is that only three paths provide a logical way forward.

How to Prepare for a Leadership Transition

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | As Boomers are inching closer to retirement, both owner/founders and senior leaders in organizations need to be prepared to hand over the reins to their successors. When done with thought and grace, transferring leadership can be a successful and relatively stress-free event.

In Order to Develop Your Future Leaders — You Need to Let Go

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Managing Consultant/Succession Strategist, The Training Doctor | There’s a pivotal moment in every senior leader’s journey when the focus must shift from doing to developing. For many senior executives, especially those who’ve built their organizations from the ground up, this can feel like handing over the keys to your prized truck before the “new guy” has “earned” their license. But here’s the bottom line: if you want to build a leadership pipeline that lasts — one that outlives you and your good work — you must learn to let go.

Increase Your Chances to Win More Work

Written by: George Hedley, Professional Construction BIZCOACH and Industry Speaker | Today’s financial demands, project complexities and tight schedules require project owners to look for more than a low bid. But by only providing a bid, customers are only aware of one component of your service: price. Here are 12 ways to increase your chances of winning contracts.

Keeping Complex Infrastructure Programs On Schedule and Budget With Construction Managers

Written by: Tom Horkan , Vice President, HDR | Large-scale transportation programs can be dizzyingly complex, with dozens of individual but interconnected projects, many contractors and subcontractors, and third parties with different goals. Effectively managing the construction process on these programs is critical to keeping projects on schedule and within expected budgets.

Listening: An Essential Element of Project Performance

Written by: Bob Prieto, National Academy of Construction | Effective listening is an essential element of effective business and project performance. One of the keys to strong client relationships, starting with marketing and selling and continuing throughout the project life cycle, is having a clear understanding of the client's wants and needs.

Managing Innovation

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, National Academy of Construction member since 2011 | This article reflects the author's experience as a member of engineering, construction, and industry organizations focused on innovation within the E&C industry. Innovation, specifically sustained innovation, is a requirement for sustainable, profitable growth.

Mastering Construction Bookkeeping

Written by: John Meibers, Vice President and General Manager, Deltek ComputerEase | Construction bookkeeping is the backbone of financial management in the project-centric construction industry. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the core principles, software solutions, and best practices that can empower construction professionals to master the art of bookkeeping and make sound financial decisions.

Midyear Check-In: How’s Your Construction Firm Doing?

Written by: Jason Lowy, Financial Advisor, UBS Wealth Management USA. | With so much economic uncertainty, now is the time to put your business on the offense. It’s no secret the last few years have been tough for commercial construction and other industries in general, and the last few months haven’t helped. Fears of high inflation and rising rates have been met head on with the threat of a financial crisis and slowing economic growth.

Optimize Workflows to Reduce Inefficiencies and Improve Business Operations

Written by: Tarry Schabel, Construction Division Sales Manager, Aktion Associates | Recent events have shined a bright light on construction companies and how they do business. Efficient and responsive workflows have become even more critically important.

Perfect Your Materials Procurement Process

Written by: Maria Davidson, CEO and Founder, Kojo | After working with thousands of contractors to improve their procurement and materials management processes, Kojo recognized a pattern among those experiencing exceptional growth and resilience in the face of challenges like supply-chain disruptions and inflation. The company analyzed what these top-performing contractors were doing differently from start to finish and compared results with other contractors.

Piloting the Transition From Boomers to Zs

Written by: Jenn Donahue, President and Owner, JL Donahue Engineering | Today, baby boomers are leaving the workforce at a staggering rate. According to the Pew Research Center, on average, 2 million boomers have retired each year since 2011. That number rose dramatically in 2020 to 3.2 million. Within 2 years, millennials and Gen Z will make up over 52% of the workforce.

Professional Development Through Peer Learning

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | A relatively new approach to professional development is peer learning. It is exactly as it sounds – coworkers within your company work in small groups, on a regular basis, to share best practices, discuss frustrations (and solutions), and develop their skills in aggregate.

Protecting Your Brand Identity

Written by: Christina Throndson, Digital Marketing Strategist, Moxie | Brand identity is often defined as a logo. Yet, brand identity is more correctly defined as how a company is perceived by others. That perception can vary from person to person as well. While no company can completely control how the public perceives it, it can control the attributed elements such as its logo, colors, fonts, style, tone, and imagery. But brand identity goes well beyond flashy design and also includes your company’s culture and service offerings.

Rethinking the Construction Education System

Written by: Bob Prieto, National Academy of Construction member | This paper focuses on construction education as opposed to engineering education, as the writer believes construction education presents some special challenges and opportunities. It begins by looking at the role of education in society and recognizing certain characteristics and objectives.

Rising Labor Costs Eat Away At Construction Firms’ Profits

Written by: Joe Bousquin, Senior Reporter, Construction Dive | The clamor over construction’s labor crisis reached a fever pitch recently, with new evidence suggesting historic wage increases for low-skilled site workers are eating into contractors’ profits.

Set Your Sights on Success

Written by: George Hedley, Business Coach and Industry Speaker, BIZCOACH | What’s the number one factor that successful construction company leaders focus on to achieve results? At a recent mastermind peer group meeting attended by 20 successful construction company owners and managers, I asked: “What’s the one thing you do to make sure your construction company is successful?”

Setting Financial Targets to Achieve Business Goals

Written by: George Hedley, Hardhat BIZCOACH, Construction Business Coach and Industry Speaker | The key to building a successful construction business is knowing and managing your numbers. You can’t bid projects right unless you know your job costs, production rates, actual overhead, and profit goal. Learn how to achieve your business goals by setting financial targets and understanding your costs.

Seven Steps for Structuring a Plan That Keeps Your Top Performers on Board

Written by: Chavon Wilcox, CPA, Partner, Aronson LLC’s Construction and Real Estate Services Group | It can be difficult for contractors to attract and retain qualified management personnel. As a result, contractors should proactively address employees’ concerns about their positions and career opportunities within the company — before they decide to work for someone who will.

Six Key Tactics for Branding a Construction Company

Written by: Chememe Phillips, President, BRIXBranding | Your brand in the construction industry is much more than just a logo — it is the commitment you deliver and the image that comes to people’s minds when they hear your company’s name. Check out these six core branding strategies that will plant your brand’s boots firmly on the ground and make you the go-to builder in the business.

Six Numbers You Need to Know

Written by: George Hedley, Professional Construction BIZCOACH and Industry Speaker | To build a profitable construction business, owners must be focused on key performance indicators (KPIs) and bottom-line numbers. These KPIs are centered on sales revenue, overhead, profit markup, labor costs per unit of work, and your updated job cost labor for every project.

Six Ways To Make Your Learning Programs More Inclusive

Written by: Josh Clark, Guest Contributor, Software Advice | It’s no secret that the world of business is competitive. One way to stay ahead of the curve is by ensuring every employee has access to the best learning programs available - and that means your learning programs need to be inclusive.

Sound Asset Management

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, National Academy of Construction Member | Life cycle asset management is an area of growing focus and importance across all industries. This life cycle focus must not only be “cradle to grave,” but also holistic, addressing each of the triple bottom lines. This article looks at one aspect of this life cycle asset management approach and reflects a growing focus on infrastructure asset management that is driven by roles in planning, designing, building, financing, and operating and maintaining road and rail systems that are delivered under a public-private

Succession Planning and Exit Planning Aren’t the Same Thing – Both are Critically Important

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Managing Consultant/Succession Strategist, The Training Doctor | At a glance, succession planning and exit planning might seem interchangeable. Both involve the future of a business beyond its current leadership. Both are triggered by the idea of stepping back, moving on, or selling. And both are critical to long-term sustainability.

Take This Job and Love It

Written by: Lisa Kopochinski, Constructor Magazine | The benefits of working in construction are numerous, and the job opportunities are seemingly endless. Hear from three professionals who took different paths but headed toward the same destination: a rewarding career.

Technology Is the Key to Overcoming Labor Hurdles

Written by: John Meibers, Vice President, Deltek | The construction industry has around 430,000 job openings, with 40% of the U.S. construction workforce poised to retire over the next decade. To supplement this labor gap, construction firms must make strategic technology investments that reduce jobsite and administrative inefficiencies.

The Foundations of Operational Excellence

Written by: Gregg M. Schoppman, Partner, FMI Corporation | For many engineering and construction (E&C) firms, the first area they turn to for improvement is the jobsite, because it often seems to be the easiest place to boost efficiency. Yet, operationally superior organizations know they must implement the right practices, processes, and people across the entire organization, including field teams.

The New Rules of Commercial Trades

Written by: Michael Carey, Vice President of Strategy, BuildOps | Today, commercial trades are under pressure to deliver the kind of transparency and responsiveness that customers have come to expect from residential contractors. Residential businesses have spent over a decade perfecting practices like booking confirmations, real-time dispatch updates, and reputation management. These practices aren’t optional anymore — they are how trust is built, and trust wins contracts.

The Outlook for Corporate Work Environments in a Post-Pandemic World

Written by: Vinay Nair, PE, CCM, Senior Manager, Ernst & Young | Work-from-home has been one of the most often debated subjects in recent years. The impact of changing working practices in a post-pandemic environment on corporate infrastructure has been discussed extensively. But things might not be as cut and dry as you might believe. In recent years, change has been the only constant, and corporate infrastructure is undergoing certain structural adjustments.

The Power Of Construction Workforce Diversity

Written by: InEight Industry Insights Blog Editors | The construction industry has always been outwardly diverse. However, expanding recruitment ideology will help strengthen the ability of construction companies to experience the many benefits of construction diversity as they succeed in an increasingly competitive market.

The Value of Risk-Informed Contingencies in Construction: How to Navigate the Unpredictable

Written by: Niyi Ladipo, CCM, Vice President, Service Line Manager; Nicole Johnson, CCM, Service Line Manager; and Justin Jacobsen, CCM, Vice President, Innovation Development, all of MBP | In construction, everything may appear to be running smoothly. Budgets are established, schedules are set, and designs are finalized. However, as the project progresses, unforeseen challenges inevitably emerge, such as changes in scope, unforeseen site conditions, material shortages, or rising costs. By anticipating potential risks and assessing the likelihood and impact of each, you can adjust your

The Vision to See What Isn’t There

Written by: Gregg M. Schoppman, Consultant, FMI Corporation | Contractors are migrating to the hot areas like a moth to a flame. However, it’s important to first ask whether these are the right strategic moves.

Three Trends Impacting Construction’s Labor Outlook in 2022

Written by: Zachary Phillips, Editor, Construction Dive | For construction, a “Help Wanted” sign is familiar, as the demand for new workers has continued to outpace the supply. From a huge influx in public spending, to debates over vaccines and continued social changes, here are the top trends impacting construction labor in 2022.

Three Ways to Maximize the Benefits of Teaming Partnerships

Written by: Juliann Poff, PMP, Business Development Manager, Integrated Risk Management, Gannett Fleming | Sometimes a teaming agreement begins as a matter of convenience for a specific project. Looking beyond the one-time venture can create tremendous value and open the door to new opportunities.

Throw Away the Box: How to Spark Brilliance in Yourself and Innovation in Your Company

Written by: Brent Darnell, Owner, Brent Darnell International | Companies only have two competitive advantages: their people and innovation. And people are the ones who come up with innovative ways to do things. Without that push to evolve, a firm may cease to exist.

Understanding Backlog in Construction: What it is and Why it Matters

Written by: RedTeam Builder Blog Editors | In the fast-paced world of construction, staying on top of projects, finances, and forecasts is critical for long-term success. One of the key indicators that construction companies use to measure future business stability and growth potential is backlog.

What’s in a Name? Trademarks and Construction

Written by: Carol Wilhelm, Counsel, Gray Reed, and J.P. Vogel, Leaders, Construction Practice Group, Gray Reed | Every company, no matter the industry, relies on its name and reputation to develop customers and generate revenue. While the tools necessary to protect your company’s brand exist at the state and federal level, many business owners or leaders are unfamiliar with the trademark process and unaware of the consequences of not utilizing those tools.

Why Cash Flow Determines Long-Term Success in Construction

Written by: Shauna Huntington, Founder and CEO, The Small Business CEO and the Small Business Bootcamp | In the construction industry, it’s easy to get caught up by seven-figure contracts and impressive profit margins. But while revenue and profitability are important, they can mask an underlying threat that has taken down many otherwise successful contractors: poor cash flow management.

Why Not to Be the Lowest Bidder

Written by: Chad Prinkey, Founder and CEO, Well Built Construction Consulting | The low bidder won’t always win the day, and if you’re only winning when you’re low, you are leaving a ton of business and profit on the table. Read this article to see what separates top construction sales teams from the norm.

Why Relationships Matter More Than Titles or Pedigree

Written by: Jennifer Kinsey, General Manager and Commercial Business Unit Leader, Reeves Young | In an industry full of smart, capable builders, I’ve learned that out-titling someone doesn’t win work. I don’t have a flashy origin story. What I do have, and what’s shaped my career, is a deep belief that relationships matter more than anything else.

Why Some Great Employees Fail to Launch

Written by: Gregg M. Schoppman, Partner, FMI Corporation | A leader of a construction organization once said, “I hired a senior project manager. This manager had an amazing pedigree. Worked for amazing organizations prior to mine. Trained in all the best systems and software on the market. Then this manager came into my business and failed miserably.” How can a seemingly amazing project manager fail to launch?

Win More Work by Bidding Less

Written by: Matt Verderamo, Consultant, Well Built Construction Consulting | Low-bid procurement methods have been a problem in construction for decades. There are times when clients must award the low bidder, and frankly it can make a lot of sense to do so, but it’s not the only way projects are won. There are ways to escape the low-bid trap.

Your Guidance Matters

Written by: George Hedley, Professional Construction BIZCOACH and Industry Speaker | Most managers focus on producing results, such as: finishing projects on time and on budget, scheduling crews, ordering materials, managing subcontractors and suppliers, winning new contracts, getting paid, hiring good employees — all the many things necessary to keep a company functioning properly. The problem with focusing 99% of their attention on the work is that they are not dedicating proper attention to developing and building great employees.

Your Qualities Drive Relationship Quality

Written by: Joe Egan, President, Egan Connection Inc. | The construction industry is one of the oldest in the world. It began when humans developed the ability to reason: the cognitive ability to draw a conclusion based on the experience or use of tools or other available material. Success in construction depends on many common factors.

You’re Not Losing on Price — You’re Losing on Process

Written by: Chad Prinkey, Founder and CEO, Well Built Construction Consulting | Successful construction industry salespeople must hone certain competencies if they’re going to win more target projects and win more often without being the low bid. This article provides a list of key competencies, along with brief descriptions.

Leadership, Business Development

What Is Your Succession Plan?

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | The majority of architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) firms are run by their original founder or founders. Most have not thought about a succession plan, also known as a transfer of leadership. It’s a nagging fear in the stomach of many that their firms will either have to be sold or merge, or will simply cease to exist if they don’t “do something” soon – but how, exactly, does one go about identifying the future leaders of their organization?

What Is Your Succession Plan?

Claims & Arbitration

A Crystal Ball - Early Warning Signs of Construction Claims & Disputes

Written by: James G. Zack, Jr., CCM, PMP | Construction projects over the past few decades have become increasingly complex. As a result disputes have grown in direct relation to the size and complexity of projects. One key to delivering a dispute free project is the early identification of potential claims and disputes.

Arbitration & Litigation Too Expensive? Construction Contract Dispute Funding May Be the Answer.

Written by: James G. Zack, Jr., CCM, PMP | Many legitimate construction claims and disputes are abandoned because one or more of the parties involved are unable to afford the legal process. Third party construction mediation, arbitration or litigation funding in the U.S. is emerging to alleviate this situation.

Delivering Dispute Free Projects - Does Partnering Help

Written by: James G. Zack, Jr., CCM, PMP | Partnering is a process, not a single act. As such, partnering is hard to define. In its simplest form successful partnering is the establishment of a team approach for a mutually beneficial resolution of the ongoing challenges and problems that typically arise on a construction project.

Dispute Resolution: Mediation Cuts Costs, Delays, And Risk

Written by: Scott Belton, Vice President, Professional Liability, Hub International | With construction projects growing larger and more complicated, disputes do arise – and they can be challenging to resolve. But litigation isn’t in anyone’s best interest except the lawyers, and experienced construction leaders are seeking other alternatives.

Hot Tubbing Expert Witnesses - Does It Work?

Written by: James G. Zack, Jr., CCM, PMP | Hot Tubbing, also known as Concurrent Evidence, the Tandem Expert Process, or Dueling Experts, originated in Australia in the 1970s and has been exported to Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the U.K., and more recently, to the U.S. While hot tubbing has primarily been used in arbitration it is now being imported to courtrooms.

Pricing Contractor Delay Costs

Written by: Peter V. Badala and James G. Zack, Jr., CCM, PMP | Virtually all construction contracts provide for changes to the Time of Performance of the work of the contract. Each contract provides for a number of types of delay which may or may not qualify for a time extension.

Streamlining Government Change Order Processes - Can It Be Done?

Written by: James G. Zack, Jr., CCM, PMP | Change is the norm on construction projects. Change is, at times, beneficial for both owners and contractors. Owners can modify the project after contract award, if needed, while contractors can increase their scope of work and project profitability without needing to compete for additional work.

What’s in Your Daily Report?

Written by: Peter Lasensky, Command Post Notes, and Robert J. Gries, PE, CCM, FCMAA | In construction, disputes rarely begin with dramatic failures — they begin quietly. A missed inspection. A delayed delivery. A change order no one documents in real time. Months or years later, these small moments become the center of million-dollar conflicts where lawyers, forensic experts, and judges ask the same question: “What’s in your Daily Report?”

Constructibility Reviews

Barrier Loads for Parking Garages

Written by: Rupert Williams, Ph.D., PE, Construction Site Safety Support Engineer, New York City Department of Buildings | Due to the transitioning from horses to motorized vehicles, timber bollards were changed to cast iron. Today, bollards are made out of a variety of materials to meet any requirements they might have. Read the history of barrier loads for parking garages.

Modular Use to Increase in Life Sciences Construction

Written by: Sebastian Obando, Reporter, Construction Dive | An increased emphasis on housing multiple, complex manufacturing processes in the same building is fueling growth in modularization in life science construction, according to a report from life science construction specialist CRB.

Contracting

A Contractor’s Success or Failure Starts at the Top

Written by: Matt Verderamo, Consultant, Well Built Construction Consulting | There are many construction companies that win work, make lots of money, and have good reputations in the markets that they serve. And the leaders of those firms should be proud, because none of that is easy to achieve. But there is another level of success that far fewer construction companies achieve. In our work with contractors around the country, it is rare for the external success mentioned above to align with an internal success of a happy culture and generally positive sentiments about the business.

A Definitive Guide on Accounting for Construction Companies

Written by: Ed Williams, Director, ProjectPro | Good accounting gives business owners the information their firm needs to make better decisions regardless of the business industry. And construction is not an exception.

Avoid the Perils of the Low-Bid Gambit

Written by: Christy Crook, President, Phoenix Masonry | When it comes to commercial construction bids, clients usually look for two key things: the best value and the best price. Here are a few things to consider before accepting the lowest bid on the next RFP for project work.

Avoiding the Cost Impacts of Estimate Assumptions

Written by: Nick Osborne, Solution Engineer, InEight | Predicting cost to deliver a project is a challenge for owners and contractors alike. With global supply chains, there is increased risk to project timelines and subsequent costs compared to estimates. Downstream schedule and cost impacts compound with each day of delays. How should we deal with unforeseen circumstances, and how do we mitigate the risks to the costs of our projects?

Behind the Contract Terms on Today’s Megaprojects

Written by: Lisa Stalteri, Partner, Lathrop GPM | Real work starts long before contractors hit shovels to the ground, especially on billion-dollar megaprojects. Here, Lisa Stalteri, partner at Kansas City, Missouri-based law firm Lathrop GPM, talks with Construction Dive about risk allocation, cost escalation, and negotiation.

Billions in Deferred Maintenance Projects Coming to U.S. Facilities

Written by: Mary Scott Nabers, CEO, Strategic Partnerships Inc. | Deferred maintenance is a major problem for many public entities throughout the U.S. including cities, counties, school districts, universities, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies. Upgrading their facilities will cost billions of dollars, and the longer this issue remains unaddressed, the greater the financial burden will be on taxpayers.

Choosing Wisely: Qualifications-Based Selection vs. Price-Based Selection in Procurement

Written by: Dennis Milsten, CCM, Director of Federal Programs, SIRIS | In the performance of construction, many contracts must be executed. A strategy or procurement method must be identified for each acquisition. Procurements generally fall into one of two categories, qualifications-based selection (QBS) or price-based selection (PBS). Each of these selection methods has many variations.

Construction Contracting: Essentials for Commercial Property Owners and Developers

Written by: George Watts, Director of Project Management, SLS Consultants, CCM - This white paper is a practical guide written for commercial real estate owners and developers to better understand the structure, risks, and strategic decisions involved in construction contracting. Drawing on over 40 years of industry experience — not legal expertise — George Watts demystifies complex construction practices, helping owners make smarter decisions in today’s fast-evolving market.

Construction’s Labor Gap Could Bring A Hiring Evolution

Written by: Zachary Phillips, Editor, Construction Dive | This year’s spring construction season could see a change in how firms hire new workers. Despite January data implying the demand for construction jobs was slowing, the number of open positions for which contractors were hiring grew again in February, according to a report from Associated Builders and Contractors.

Do You Know Where Your RFIs Are? How to Gain Control Now.

Written by: InEight Blog Editors | How many times have you submitted an RFI only to feel like it’s gone MIA? It’s probably a lot more common than any of us would care to admit. Having no semblance of control over the RFI once it’s been sent on its way can surface all sorts of questions. There are a few ways to gain control over the RFI process that can give you a better chance of tracking its status.

Escalation: Does It Affect Your Construction Contracts?

Written by: Bob Prieto, National Academy of Construction member | This paper looks at escalation, which affects both current and yet to be issued construction contracts. It is intended to provide a framework for providing immediate relief to ongoing contracts and also as an outline for strategies for owners and contractors on yet to be issued contracts. Key materials of construction susceptible to escalation are called out and potential indexes for any agreed to adjustments are suggested.

Five Advantages of Switching to Digital Contracts

Written by: Dago Garcia, Senior Content Marketing Manager, Hearth | When business is booming and the workday feels never ending, the last thing a contractor wants to worry about is keeping track of paperwork — losing hours of the day to administrative tasks that could be done with the click of a button. The digital economy is moving faster than ever; however, according to a survey from Hearth, 48% of contractors are still using paper invoices.

Five Critical Clauses Contractors Should Know

Written by: David Arkell, Attorney, Moye White | Contractors wade in a sea of risk for every project, and well-crafted contracts can protect all involved parties. In this installment on the allocation of risk between general contractors and developers in construction contracts, we’ll explore five critical general contract clauses contractors should know.

Five Steps To Keep Change Orders From Becoming Disputes

Written by: Spencer Krebs, Attorney, Tucker Ellis | Subcontractors often must balance the demands of owners, government agencies, and general contractors, all while trying to make a profit. But the construction industry is also rife with defects, change order disputes, and project delays.

How To Manage Construction Retainage

Written by: RedTeam Builders Blog Editors | Construction retainage plays a critical role in protecting project outcomes. When teams manage construction retainage well, they reduce financial risk, avoid payment disputes, and improve closeout speed. When they do not, construction retainage can strain cash flow and damage relationships.

Lessons from the Maryland Purple Line’s Amended Contract

Written by: Joe Bousquin, Senior Reporter, Construction Dive | Maryland’s much-delayed Purple Line is getting a contractual do-over. Construction attorneys say the modified public-private partnership (P3) agreement has the potential to set precedent for other closely watched public works projects, particularly as funds from the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act flow to the states.

Mastering Construction Contracts

Written by: Tyler Peterson, Head of Professional Risks, Hiscox USA | Would you believe that a piece of paper is strong enough to stop the damage from a burst pipe or a collapsed wall? Construction contracts can all look the same, with pages and pages of impossible-to-understand legalese, and they can be tedious to read. But within those paragraphs, even the smallest of word choices can have an alarming impact on the future of a contracting business.

Materials Pricing Inflation and Uncertainty: How Contractors Can Better Manage the Bottom Line

Written by: Ro Bhatia, CEO, PlanHub | The construction industry faces a major problem: Inflation is squeezing contractors and subcontractors. How construction professionals address and resolve these challenges could be the difference between a bright future for their businesses or a continued rough road ahead.

Protecting Your Business From Fluctuating Materials Prices

Written by: Tim Fandrey, Associate, Construction, Gray Reed, and JP Vogel, Partner, Construction Law, Gray Reed | All construction industry stakeholders are aware that material prices, especially lumber, have seen steep increases that are unprecedented in the U.S. Despite that reality, projects still need to be completed and most have already been financed based upon material prices that have quickly changed.

The Art of Negotiation: Tips for a Successful EPC Contract

Written by: David Broughton, Vice President, Business Development, Gannett Fleming | As a project owner, if you could harness all the benefits of design-build and receive certain guarantees about the performance of your new infrastructure, would you do it? Enter engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) - a turnkey model that’s gaining momentum as a preferred project delivery method but can require a hefty dose of patience to find the right EPC partner and negotiate a mutually beneficial contract.

The Eight Mistakes I See Most in Construction Contracts

Written by: James Gallagher, PE, Principal, Resolution Management Consultants | Construction disputes continue to rise in 2025. Yet the complications that trigger those disputes usually boil down to payment, changes, timelines or schedules, and quality of work. This is why how a contract is written matters.

Three Key Aspects Of Construction Estimating Best Practices

Written by: InEight Blog Editors | Among the many goals of every construction estimate, accuracy must be considered the most important. Why? Because estimates that lack accuracy can adversely affect a capital project and possibly even jeopardize a construction company’s reputation and solvency.

Two Steps to Boost Your Win Rate

Written by: Matt Verderamo, Consultant, Well Built Construction Consulting | If you’re bidding work, never getting feedback, and only winning when you’re the low bidder, then you’re working way harder than you need to. See how your estimating engine can run more smoothly, burn less heat, and achieve greater efficiency in the form of higher win rates.

What Owners And Contractors Should Know About Data Center Construction Contracts

Written by: Ryan Gilchrist, Partner, and Ashley Sherwood, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw | Data centers are built on more than steel and megawatts: They’re built on contracts that allocate risk and keep billions of dollars humming on schedule. During the data center construction boom, the market has become increasingly competitive, requiring developers to emphasize speed and agility.

Why Lowballing Your Construction Bidding Is Holding You Back

Written by: InEight Behind the Build Online Blog Editors | In construction bidding, the long-standing practice of low bidding, aka lowballing, has become ingrained in the industry’s culture. But, as a contractor, taking an extra sharp pencil to your construction bid can cost a lot more than just slimmer profit margins.

Why We Need to Rethink RFPs in Construction

Written by: Nancy Novak, Chief Innovation Officer, Compass Datacenters | Anyone who’s been in construction for any amount of time knows nothing happens in our business without an RFP. They are indispensable in our industry for bringing together owners and construction managers or general contractors (GCs) to accomplish big things. But there’s a problem. Far too often, the RFP process is dysfunctional in ways that are a lose-lose situation for both parties.

Cost Estimating

11 Ways to Submit the Best Quality Bid

Written by: David Redd, Content Manager, HCSS | An accurate bid for construction work takes time; it’s not something that can be thrown together in 15 minutes. It takes knowledge of the client, an understanding of the plan, and much skill to estimate labor, materials, and equipment costs accurately. The key to submitting the best quality bid is having the most accurate and up-to-date current costs as possible in your estimated costs — the more accurate the bid, the more profits for your business.

A Guide to Managing Budgets and Expenses

Written by: Builder Blog by RedTeam | Accounting is an essential and often complicated process for every business, especially when it comes to construction. Overhead costs are more complex than with your average business, and creating an accurate budget is a challenge since the cost of construction projects can change in response to a variety of factors.

Bid More Accurately by Connecting Estimating and Performance Tracking

Written by: Greg Norris, Director of Marketing Communications, B2W Software | Knowing how their company’s actual costs compared with the estimates for past projects is obviously valuable information for contractors putting together bids for new work. Modern estimating software with built-in connectivity to the performance tracking application makes the previously difficult job of retrieving that data quick and easy.

Budgeting to Quality: Construction Project Mistakes & How to Fix Them

Written by: Pam Cannon, Vice President of Marketing, Utilities Sector, TRC | Managing a construction project is a challenging job that involves careful planning, coordination, and problem-solving. Small mistakes cause delays, increase costs, or create safety issues. Read this article to learn more about how to avoid some of the most common mistakes in construction management so your projects stay on track and within budget.

Managing Cash Flow During the Slow Season

Written by: Pam Wismer, Fractional Chief Financial Officer, Ascent CFO Solutions | The very mention of fluctuating cash flow can cause anxiety for construction company owners. Without sufficient planning for a slow season, even seasoned businesses may find themselves in a cash crisis from time to time. Consider these tips to financially prepare for and navigate an unexpected slow season.

ROI vs. ROV

Written by: Beck Technology | From a business standpoint when investing in construction technology, many businesses get stuck on the question “When will we see our return on investment?” It’s a fair point. However, the return on value is an important aspect when considering business purchases.

Strategies to Include Contingency in Public Project Estimates

Written by: Piero Anticona | It is well known that indistinctly, private or public projects finish with cost overruns. Causes for cost overruns have been listed by many authors who have done research in different sectors and different project sizes, founding justification on bad estimates, poor tracking and analysis, bad forecast, bad contracts, poor project definition, etc.

Understanding the Basics of CAPEX, SUSCAP, and OPEX

Written by: InEight Behind the Build Blog Editors | Each capital project involves multiple types of financial outlay. Those expenses can fall into one of several classifications, with some of the more common ones being capital expenditures (CAPEX), sustaining capital projects (SUSCAP), and operating expenditures (OPEX).

Using Installation Work Packages (IWPs) To Produce Detailed and Accurate Estimates

Written by Bryce J. Daniels, CCM, Director, Global Construction Disputes & Advisory, Ankura | (originally published by AACE) Construction cost estimates predict future costs as result of taking on a specific construction endeavor. Having a comprehensive understanding of work to perform is not only a minimum prerequisite during estimate development, it is a leading contributor to estimate accuracy. An effective approach to enhance the quality of an estimate can be achieved through review of the installation work package (IWP).

Well-Insulated: Predict the Unpredictable Construction Costs

Written by: Jill Masur | What can construction companies do to insulate against cost fluctuations? How can they mitigate risks related to supply-chain issues, labor shortages, and increased cost and decreased availability of materials and labor?

What’s Really Driving Volatility In Construction Cost Estimates

Written by: Michael Feeney, PE, Estimating Director, Connico, and Charles Cleary, Electrical Subject Matter Expert, Connico | We’re living through a unique period in the history of technology where advancements in artificial intelligence are outpacing industry regulations and creating unclear expectations for how long proper cost estimating should take.

Why Late-stage Cost Overruns Are Symptoms Of A Larger Problem

Written by: Bhavik Savaliya, Senior Consultant, Turner & Townsend | Cost overruns have long been a familiar outcome in commercial construction. What has changed is how owners react. Higher interest rates, tighter capital conditions, and continued volatility across labor and material markets have narrowed the margin for error. Financial surprises that once might have been absorbed through contingency or minor scope adjustments now escalate quickly and draw senior-level attention.

Delivery Systems

Alternative Delivery Methods Can Help Speed, Simplify Civil Projects

Written by: Sami Soufi, Vice President and Program Manager, Hill international | Prior to alternate delivery methods, owners primarily relied on the design-bid-build delivery model. Today, there are three alternate delivery models widely recognized for construction contracting. Read this article to dive into each one.

Back to the Alternative: When is CM/GC Delivery Right for You?

Written by: Mohammad Saleem, Program Director, Hill International, Inc. | While the most popular delivery method in the U.S. today is design-build according to the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA), other alternative delivery methods such as construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC) can better serve some owners on certain types of projects. CM/GC has been a popular alternative delivery method in the private sector for more than 25 years.

Beginning with the End in Mind: 3 Ways to Avoid Issues in P3 Delivery

Written by: Don Young, PE, CCM, Executive Vice President, MBP | Due to future trends, the landscape of new technology, and industry changes, the use of public-private partnerships (P3) continues to be a popular topic in discussions around improving our public infrastructure in the most economical way. P3 delivery remains a unique and highly flexible project delivery method with multiple benefits for public owners and design-build (D-B) teams.

Construction Management at-Risk: Who Is Really at Risk?

Written by: Chris Payne, PE, CCM, President and CEO, MBP | In recent years, the Construction Management at-Risk method has become a popular choice for construction projects. Its ability to streamline design and construction makes it an attractive option, however, with its rise comes new risks and challenges for the construction manager and the project owner.

Design-Build vs. Progressive Design-Build: Addressing Key Differences and Common Misconceptions

Written by: Mohammad Saleem, Program Director, Hill International, Inc. | Many owners throughout the U.S. use alternative delivery methods on their construction projects to drive collaboration, cost efficiency, schedule certainty, and overall project success.

Dual Delivery: A Viable Strategy for Complex Transit Projects

Written by: Andrew Ditter, PE, Construction Manager, Hill International | Many owners are considering new and innovative delivery methods to derive the most value from their investments. One notable strategy is dual delivery, which involves splitting up works that might reasonably be packaged as a single project to take advantage of the different benefits associated with different delivery methods and improve project outcomes.

Early Cost and Schedule Certainty: The ONEprojectTEAM Project Delivery Method

Written by: Michael Valentino, Pre-Construction Leader, Gannett Fleming | If you have ever worked on a traditional design-bid-build project, you’ve most likely been on the receiving end of vague specifications, unforeseen conditions, schedule delays, and budget surprises for things that simply cost more than expected. You want to receive what you’ve asked for when you ask for it. There isn’t any more money or time, so the project must be executed within the budget you initially planned, but miscommunication, scope definition, and schedule creep may prevent you from getting everything you want

Eight Essential Construction Closeout Documents and Why You Need Them

Written by: Andrew Conrad, Senior Content Writer, Software Advice | As a construction project manager, you know how crucial it is to get the closeout stage of a project just right. But this final hurdle can also be one of the most difficult obstacles of the entire project. Here are eight essential closeout documents and how they fit into the closeout process.

Estimating Construction Change Orders

Written By: Bob Prieto, Senior Executive, the National Academy of Construction. | Change orders are an inevitable part of construction projects. Change orders are revisions or additions to an existing construction or engineering contract and are used to modify the original agreement of the parties.

Exploring the Promise of Progressive Design-Build and Other Trends in Effective Project Delivery

Interview with: Jay Chiglo, Transportation Alternative Delivery Director, HDR | Over the last few decades, design-build has rapidly become popular in transportation infrastructure, celebrated for what the delivery method’s supporters champion as its ability to complete projects much faster than a traditional design-bid-build approach. But the increasing adoption of the delivery method has also led to some significant growing pains.

FAQs About EPC Projects - What Lead Site Engineers and Procurement Managers Need to Know

Written by: David Broughton, Vice President, Life Sciences, Gannett Fleming, and Craig Crowther, PE, President, Gannett Fleming Project Development Corp. | When you’re at the helm of a state-of-the-art facility project, every decision impacts layers of complexity, including timelines, budgets, and the ultimate success of your project and operations. The maze of technical specifications, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder expectations make it a thrilling yet daunting journey. This is where the power of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) comes in, offering a streamlined path

Fellows’ Perspective: Part 1 - The Rise of Construction Management and Emergence of Multi-Prime Contracting in the 1970s

Written by: CMAA College of Fellows Communications Committee | As CMAA enters its fifth decade, it’s time to look back and revisit how the organization was instrumental in the evolution of project delivery systems for capital construction programs. In this blog series presented by members of CMAA’s College of Fellows, we explore the history of CMAA, including the evolution and trends impacting delivery methods that influenced CMAA.

Fellows’ Perspective: Part 2 - CMAA is Formed and the Gaining Popularity of CM at-Risk in the 1980s

Written by: CMAA College of Fellows Communications Committee | In this article, the Fellows examine the 1980s, including how the formation of CMAA helped unite the professional practice of construction management nationwide.

Fellows’ Perspective: Part 3 – CMAA’s Growth and Development in the 1990s

Written by: CMAA College of Fellows Communications Committee | As CMAA enters its fifth decade, it’s time to look back and revisit how the organization was instrumental in the evolution of project delivery systems for capital construction programs. This is the third post in which the College of Fellows shares posts on the development of various project delivery systems and how CMAA emerged and developed in light of changes in construction delivery. Exploring the past offers an understanding of the present and may even provide insights into what comes next.

Fellows’ Perspective: Part 4 – Design-Build Emergence

Written by: CMAA College of Fellows Communications Committee | Fifty years ago, CMAA began as a bold idea to bring order and professionalism to a changing world of project delivery. Today, it stands as the nation’s premier advocate for construction management excellence. In this fourth post of our Fellows series, we look back to the 1990s, when design-build delivery gained traction with public owners and reshaped expectations for collaboration, efficiency, and results. Following this edition, we’ll explore how the growing practice of construction management within all delivery methods fueled

Fellows’ Perspective: Part 7 – Integrated Project Delivery Arrives While CMAA Continues to Grow

Written by: CMAA College of Fellows Communications Committee | As construction projects grew more complex in the 2000s, collaboration shifted from an aspiration to a necessity — and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) rose to meet the moment. Meanwhile, CMAA strengthened certification, training, and leadership to support the profession through this transformation. This article examines IPD’s defining features, its practical challenges, and how CMAA adapted to respond to a broadened array of delivery options.

Five Lessons from the Jobsite: Coordination, Collaboration, Culture, Innovation, and Change in Design-Build Delivery

Written by: Nathan Richmond, PE, Design-Build, Design Manager, GFT | Design-build delivery is reshaping how infrastructure projects are planned and executed. By uniting design and construction under a single contract, this approach offers the potential for faster delivery, reduced risk, and improved collaboration. But the model alone doesn’t guarantee success. It’s the strategies, relationships, and mindset behind the work that truly drive outcomes.

Five Trends Influencing Today's Construction Delivery Patterns

Written by: Mike Putnam, Senior Principal, Head of Delivery, Unispace | The construction landscape is constantly evolving. From continuing labor shortages to ready-to-deploy tech solutions, a range of forces is currently influencing project delivery across the U.S. It takes agility, flexibility, and creative operating strategies for construction executives to keep projects on schedule and within budget. Here are some of the latest construction trends to help your company stay ahead of this dynamic sector’s ever-changing curve.

Future Proofing the Supply Chain

Written by: Adrian Sanchez, Director, Linesight | As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, every sector of the economy was forced to adapt to a reality in which the availability of products we had all taken for granted suddenly and dramatically slowed. This “supply strain” affected virtually every industry, but construction was particularly hard hit, as the raw materials and components that builders need were suddenly harder to acquire.

Future-Proofing the Supply Chain

How Public And Private Partnerships Deliver Real Value For Clients And Communities

Written by: Adam Price, Director, Commercial Funding and Finance, Jacobs | In the Red River Valley in central North America, flood risk isn’t an abstract climate statistic — it’s a shared memory and a part of life. When spring snowmelt and heavy rain arrive together, communities worry if emergency calls can be answered, whether hospitals stay accessible, and when businesses can reopen. The Fargo-Moorhead Flood Diversion Project exists to answer these questions. It’s a generational investment in protection for a region of roughly 235,000 people, helping translate public need into a long-term

Infrastructure Study Finds Inefficiencies & Opportunities for Design-Build

Written by: Alex Headley, Associate Editor, Construction Business Owner magazine | Travelers, the second-largest writer of United States commercial property casualty insurance and the largest writer of surety bonds in North America, has released the findings of a new infrastructure study that followed 224 heavy civil construction projects from 2004 to 2020.

Material Cost Escalation in DBB/CSP Projects

Written by: Marcelo Peres, CCM, Project Manager, Jacobs | As a positive effect of the last century’s fast-paced technological unfolding, the United States has seen an economic boom that was never expected; but this can only mean one thing - tougher and deeper recession occurrences.

Removing the Risk From Construction Manager At-Risk Project Delivery: The Benefits of CMa Services

Written by: Brice L. Clawson, Vice President, and Mark D. Dickinson, PMP, Vice President, both of Hill International, Inc. | For some owners, the construction manager at-risk (CMAR) delivery method offers an attractive alternative to traditional design-bid-build (DBB) project delivery. Also known as construction manager as constructor (CMc) or construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC), CMAR involves hiring a single party that takes on the roles of construction manager and builder, known as the CMAR. There are many other components included.

Six Advantages of Integrated Project Delivery

Written by: Mike Doiel, AIA, RA, Project Delivery Director, HDR | Designing and building complex projects is really hard work. Owners are seeking delivery methods that eliminate waste, reduce conflicts, minimize errors, and infuse their projects with higher quality, greater cost savings, and innovative solutions that meet schedule and budget. An ideal approach in response is integrated project delivery (IPD), which can neutralize many undesirable elements of traditional processes while increasing the value proposition.

Taking the Risk Out of New Project Delivery Methods

Written by: Catie Williams, Vice President of Product Development, InEight | The lack of collaboration between the designer and contractor has driven our industry from the traditional design-bid-build approach to alternative delivery methods. These new methods have reduced unexpected change orders, improved project delivery time, increased client satisfaction, and established a better relationship between designers and contractors.

The Effect of the Level of Competition on Construction Bid Quality

Written by: Joseph W. Delaney, PE, and Dr. Satish Mohan | The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and an increasing number of State Department of Transportation, view Design-Build (D-B) as an acceptable alternative to the traditional Design-Bid-Build (D-B-B) method for public transportation projects.

Understanding Your Role: CM/PM Responsibilities by Project Delivery Method.

Written by: 2024 Delivery Methods Work Group | Construction and program managers (CM/PM) are uniquely trained to coordinate planning, design, and construction for capital projects. While construction management has proven effective regardless of the project delivery method, owners should understand that work accomplished varies by process. Due to the variety of delivery methods, confusion is inevitable for owners. This guide will help you understand the core modern delivery methods and the different roles a CM/PM will likely play.

Your Questions About Alternative Project Delivery Answered

Interview with: Tom Nettleton, PE, Vice President of Alternative Project Delivery, Gannett Fleming | Alternative project delivery (APD) methods continue to gain traction. The challenge for government agencies and their partners is to recognize when and where APD methods make sense. But with more state governments getting on the APD bandwagon, firms are poised to help them maximize the value from the various types of alternative project delivery.

Transportation, Delivery Systems

New Research Shows Benefits For Agencies By Transitioning to Digital Delivery in the Transportation Industry

Interview with: Alexa Mitchell, Transportation BIM Program Manager, HDR, and Chris Williges, Economics and Statistics Director, HDR | Building information modeling is increasingly popular in transportation infrastructure. With digital delivery in transportation, also known as BIM for infrastructure, agencies can not only design projects in a 3D platform but also maintain assets digitally rather than with plan sheets. While there is a cost to implementing any new technology, agencies are continually evaluating competing priorities and need to be able to justify their investments.

New Research Shows Benefits For Agencies By Transitioning to Digital Delivery in the Transportation Industry

Energy

Developing Energy Projects in a Complex Market

Written by: Denise Brinley, Vice President of Energy Practice, TRC | With the ever-changing energy landscape, it’s a good time for developers to validate and/or retool planned investments to balance short- and long-term challenges and opportunities. To thrive and sustain, companies are considering dual-pronged strategies: developing projects that meet energy demand today with deliberate approaches that assure long-term, sustainable strategic risk management.

How Construction Sites Can Utilize Clean Energy

Written by: Michael Voigt, Project Development Manager, EnTech Solutions | As a construction business owner, it’s important to recognize the growing need in the industry to reduce carbon emissions and minimize environmental impact. One of the most effective ways to achieve this goal is through integrating clean energy solutions at construction sites. Renewable energy plays an integral role in cost reduction, environmental protection, and creating a sustainable future.

Is Your Building Losing Energy? Why Your Building Envelope Matters.

Written by: Keith Maxwell, Senior Consultant, MBP | Building Envelope Commissioning (BECx) is vital to the building process. It ensures the effective environmental separation between the interior and exterior of a building.

Why Early Grid Studies Ensure Data Center Success In A World Driven By Hypergrowth

Written by: Jeffrey Norman, Senior Director, Integrated Grid Advisory, TRC | Across the U.S., data centers are scaling faster than the grid was designed to absorb. Artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, cloud expansion, and hyperscale growth are pushing facilities into load ranges once reserved for major generation assets. For utilities and developers alike, this growth is colliding with a combined system of permitting, cost allocation, regulation, and supply chain, all built for reliability, not speed at scale.

Leadership

3 Cs – Connection, Communication, and Change: My Key Takeaways from CMAA’s Emerging Leaders Program

Written by: Rachel Fleming, PE, CMIT, Project Manager, MBP | In March of this year, Rachel Fleming, PE, CMIT, completed the Construction Management Association of America’s (CMAA) Emerging Leaders Program (ELP). The ELP equips participants with essential leadership skills and valuable connections within the construction management field. Hear directly from Fleming about her experience and takeaways in leadership, networking, and industry insights in this article.

A Leadership Development Activity With Immediate ROI For Your Organization

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | Companies of all sorts – not just in the AEC world - are reluctant to institute professional development/training because they can’t see an immediate return on investment (ROI). Here is an activity to ask your up-and-coming leaders to conduct that will not only develop their thinking, planning, organizing, analyzing, decision making, and writing skills, but will return an immediate result for the organization.

Advisory Boards for Small Construction Management (Agent) Firms

Written by: Dennis Milsten, CCM, Director of Federal Programs, SIRIS | Small firms in the competitive construction management industry face challenges in navigating complex projects, managing client relationships, and sustaining growth. Advisory Boards have emerged as a valuable resource, offering expert guidance and strategic oversight. This paper examines the role of Advisory Boards in small construction management (agent) firms, assessing their effectiveness and providing a framework for establishing an Advisory Board to maximize benefits and minimize drawbacks.

All Leaders and Directors Are Not Created Equal: To Save a Company – Change the Leadership Style

Written by: John M. Collard, Chairman, Strategic Management Partners, Inc. | What makes a good leader in a healthy company? What about a company in crisis? The two styles are different in focus, decision making, authority, and people. Understanding and managing these differences can help directors recruit the right talent to lead a company through good times and bad.

Are You a High-Performing Leader?

Written by: George Hedley, Professional Construction BIZCOACH and Industry Speaker | High-performing leaders generally succeed because they view their position as a privilege to serve others in the pursuit of achieving results. These leaders attack and confront problems head on, rather than avoiding challenging situations or difficult tasks.

Being Seen and Heard: Leadership’s Role in Driving a Best-in-Class Safety Program

Written by: Dan Hannan, Safety Director, American Engineering Testing | Successful safety programs often identify the need for leadership support through phrases such as, “safety needs to start at the top.” The point being made is that leaders provide the influence for change to occur at lower levels. Having support from senior leadership, including C-suite executives, in prioritizing and leading an organization’s safety effort is paramount.

Budget Friendly Leadership Development

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | Some business owners often argue that they do not have the time or money to invest in people's professional skills. Employee development, however, is a key to success and should never be overlooked. Here are some “easy” and affordable ways for you to develop your future leaders’ professional skills, this year.

Building a Future Leader: How to Cultivate Leadership That Aligns with Your Company’s DNA

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Managing Consultant/Succession Strategist, The Training Doctor | In the construction industry — where projects are complex, timelines are tight, and collaboration is essential — the need for strong leadership is undeniable. But, for the industry to thrive, where do tomorrow’s leaders come from? Read this article to learn straightforward ways to purposely build future leaders.

Building the Future: Q&A with the Next Generation of Industry Leaders

Written by: Laura Freas, CMIT; Tyler Guill, CMIT; and Savannah Dotson, MBP | As we start a new year, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the future of the construction industry and the role of emerging leaders in navigating the challenges ahead. MPB Blog Editors spoke with three of MBP’s rising stars — Laura Freas, CMIT, Senior Engineer; Tyler Guill, CMIT, Senior Engineer; and Savannah Dotson, Senior Engineer — to gain their insights on the industry’s biggest challenges, technological innovations, and how to prepare the next generation for leadership roles.

Building Together: Shifting from Leader-Centric to Team-Focused Cultures in Construction

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Managing Consultant/Succession Strategist, The Training Doctor | While strong leadership is essential, an overemphasis on the folks with “titles” can inadvertently sideline the collective strength of the team. As projects grow in complexity and scale, fostering a team-focused culture becomes not just beneficial, but imperative.

Casting Call: Recruiting the Next Class of Construction Leaders

Written by: David McMillin | Construction firms have been struggling to attract enough trade professionals to keep projects on schedule, but there’s another mountain ahead that may be even harder to climb: finding new leaders who are comfortable standing at the top of the figurative ladder. Read this article to learn about best practices for recruiting the future of construction leaders.

Check Your Hiring Blind Spots Before They Cost You

Written by: Anne Lackey, Cofounder, HireSmart Virtual Employees | You wouldn't pour a foundation without a level, and you wouldn't wire a building without a plan. But many business owners hire without a structured approach to assess people, identify key behaviors, or predict how someone will actually perform once they're out of the interview chair and on the jobsite. The cumulative effect of multiple bad hires can tank any business. Read this article to see the three most common hiring blind spots and how you can eliminate them with a clear, simple hiring system.

Construction Needs To Overhaul The Culture Of Communication

Written by: Fulton Cure, Consultant, Well Built Construction Consulting | I don’t believe it’s controversial to say that there is a communication problem in the construction industry. Missed updates, late surprises, and misaligned teams are cited on nearly every project as sources of delay, cost overruns, and general frustration. The typical response is to try to “improve communication” by adding more meetings, more reporting, or more structure.

Creating Successful Leaders From Failures

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | I was speaking with a business owner the other day about a recent catastrophe that occurred within his company. He and another senior leader in the company spent a good day and a half cleaning up the issue and the aftermath, and he was quite exasperated. I asked him, “What did the organization learn from this?”

Demonstrating a Culture of Care and Support: The Leaders’ Role

Written by: Craig Martin, National Academy of Construction member and retired president and CEO of Jacobs | In a safety culture and, more specifically, a safety climate, the behavior of leadership is critically important. This article highlights the benefits of caring behavior, ways that leaders can demonstrate care, methods for creating a positive work environment, and approaches to overcome challenges in building a culture of care and support.

Develop, Increase, and Cultivate Digital Leadership

Written by: Dr. Annalisa Enrile, Clinical Professor, University of Southern California, and Oliver Ritchie, Vice President, Technology and Innovation, CMiC | The familiar story of the pandemic is one of health statistics, masks, vaccines and social distancing. However, what the COVID-19 pandemic also redefined is the nature of leadership, necessitating those at the uppermost levels to be a different type of leader. Digital leadership requires executives to inhabit several roles at once: digital strategist, innovator, and driver.

Developing and Using Effective Leading Indicators

Deborah Grubbe, Owner & President, Operations and Safety Solutions, LLC | In the world of today’s global businesses, what gets measured, gets done. If an organization desires to be world-class in safety and in business results, or if there is a desire to make large improvements in these areas, the leadership team MUST develop effective leading indicators and a process to manage them. Leading indicators a must quite simply because managers need to anticipate and to “see around corners,” or the leadership team and its clients could miss critical opportunities.

Developing Change Agility for the Future

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | The ability to adapt and thrive in an environment that is always in flux is essential for the success and longevity of your organization. Which means you and your employees must embrace change.

Developing Collaboration Skills for Better Performance

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | Collaboration in the workplace is like the foundation of a well-built structure. Just like a construction project requires seamless coordination between architects, engineers, and trades, your own business should focus on a blend of talent, ideas, and effort from all employees.

Fellows' Perspective: Part 5 – The Early Years of CMAA Chapters

Written by: CMAA College of Fellows Communications Committee | In our Fellows blog series, we’ve traced how project delivery methods — and CMAA itself — took shape over the past 50 years. This edition shifts the focus to the rise of CMAA’s Chapters, beginning with the first nine, the pioneering efforts of which paved the way for the 33 thriving chapters today. Their stories reveal both the challenges they faced and the successes that continue to define CMAA’s growth and provide insight to persistent challenges current Chapter Leaders face today.

Four Keys to Developing Future Leaders v2

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | In today’s fast-paced business landscape, the development of future leaders is a critical aspect of your success. Companies have to think beyond merely creating efficient managers; they must invest in the development of individuals who will navigate complexity, embrace change, and inspire those around them.

From Boomers to Gen Z: Leveraging Generational Strengths in Construction Leadership

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | Understanding and leveraging these diverse generational perspectives can be a powerful tool for construction company owners and executives who want to foster collaboration, drive innovation, and improve overall productivity. This article provides suggestions for utilizing generational differences positively.

How New Construction Executives Can Set Themselves Up to Succeed

Written by: Matt Verderamo, Consultant, Well Built Construction Consulting | If you want to be an executive, you need to handle growth with grace and maturity. It’s going to be scary, but you must be able to overcome that fear and go out and take action. Read this article to learn some important traits of successful construction executives.

How Stress is Killing Us and What We Can Do to Stop It

Written by: Brent Darnell, Owner, Brent Darnell International | The AEC industry has always been a stressful industry. There doesn’t seem to be any respite. During the great recession, the stress was associated with a lack of work and financial pressures. In better times, the stress is associated with too much work and stretching resources beyond their capacity.

How the Heck Does Peer Learning Work?

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Managing Consultant/Succession Strategist, The Training Doctor | Most of us grew up equating learning with being taught. Someone stands at the front of the room, tells us what they know, and we dutifully take notes. That model works fine for transferring information. It’s far less effective for developing judgment, perspective, confidence, and leadership capability.

How the Industry is Handling Leadership Development

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | As part of my work, I continually interview AEC firms, from private/regional firms to public/global firms – asking them how they are going about preparing the future leaders of their organization. This research has been ongoing for about a year now, and the data doesn’t paint a confidence inducing picture.

How to Create a Learning Culture and Why You Need One

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor, and Brent Darnell, Owner and President, Brent Darnell International | In the fast-paced and ever-changing AEC industry, developing a learning culture within your company is essential. Organizational culture is generally understood as a company’s beliefs, values, and attitudes, and how they influence the behavior of employees.

How To Find The Balance Between Profitability And People

Written by: Matt Verderamo, Consultant, Well Built Construction Consulting | One of the greatest challenges construction business owners must face in the coming years is adapting their culture to fit the next generation of the workforce. About 41% of the current construction workforce is projected to retire by 2031, according to the National Center for Construction Education and Research, which will intensify the urgency to recruit a new generation of skilled professionals.

How to Get Clarity on My Business Numbers

Written by: Steve Coughran, Founder, Coltivar | Wondering how to gain clarity on your business numbers — even if they’ve felt confusing, incomplete, or inconsistent in the past? If you’re leading a $3 million – $20 million company, your business has likely outgrown gut instincts and spreadsheet guessing. You need a clear, real-time view of your financial performance to make faster, smarter, and more confident decisions.

How to Prepare a Successor for Success

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Managing Consultant/Succession Strategist, The Training Doctor | The most successful leadership transitions don’t happen by accident — they’re carefully planned, nurtured, and guided. Whether you’re running a family-owned business, leading a division in a larger company, or planning to retire from your role as CEO, identifying and preparing a successor is one of the most impactful legacies you can leave.

How to Set Up New Hires for Success

Written by: Fulton Cure, Consultant, Well Built Construction Consulting | Construction companies will throw new hires into the deep end after only a couple of days on the job without much formal training or onboarding. It’s this concept of “sink or swim” training where industry leaders figure we’ll just throw them into the thick of it and see if they can handle this work. No life vest, no instruction manual, just a trial by fire. Unfortunately, more often than not, they sink.

How to Solidify Your Hiring and Retention Strategies

Written by: Joe Supino, Segment Director, Actalent | This year, the U.S. construction industry will need to hire roughly half a million workers on top of the normal pace of hiring to meet demand. The labor shortage is hitting organizations from all angles. Read this article to solidify your hiring and retention strategies.

How to Write the Next Chapter for Women in Construction

Written by: Brian Wienke, Product Marketing Director, Oracle Construction and Engineering | When it comes to helping women reach their full potential in the A/E/C space, there are a few distinct opportunities that could represent the next evolution of professional growth. Read this article to find out what these opportunities are.

Is Your Company Choosing Future Leaders Intentionally?

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Managing Consultant/Succession Strategist, The Training Doctor | Business owners, particularly founders who have poured their hearts and souls into building their companies, often avoid confronting the heavy lift of their departure. It feels easier to hand the reins to the most loyal employee rather than undertake the rigorous process of finding the best possible leader for the future. Read this article to gain useful insights into developing effective succession planning practices.

Leadership Pitfalls to Avoid at All Costs

Written by: Staff Writers, Association of Equipment Manufacturers | Not everyone is born to be a leader. The good news, however, is that leadership skills can be developed and refined over time, opening the door to career advancement and higher wages for many.

Leadership Starts at Recruitment

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | When it comes to the current job market, firms may be sacrificing tomorrow’s leaders for today’s needs. Firms risk creating a leadership and management vacuum by not building a bench of young talent. It sets the stage for a crisis 10 years from now when you don’t have people to take over. Read this article to see a few solutions to avert a future crisis in your organization.

Leadership Strategies that will Transform Construction Companies in 2025

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | Like all professions, leadership in construction is evolving beyond traditional management. There are a number of demographic forces that are causing this shift, including GenZ’s priorities of wanting to do meaningful work, protecting their mental health, and believing in equity and equality to the point that they question why we need leaders in organizations.

Leading Through Headwinds: Build a Resilient Construction Workforce Amid Economic Shifts

Written by: Matthew Mathison, Co-founder, MBL Partners | Workforce management has always been a cornerstone of success in the construction industry, but today’s challenges make it more critical than ever. Business leaders must navigate a persistent labor shortage, escalating economic pressures, and growing concerns over worker well-being.

Learn the Six Key Characteristics of an Intentional Leader

Written by: Jim Mathis, International Platform Certified Speaker and Best-Selling Author | The law of intentionality: No worthy accomplishment or goal of worth is reached by accident. It requires an intentional effort to reach your goals, have a maximum impact on your life and add value to others’ lives. Intentional leaders are in the people business first, their industry second, and are there to add value to everyone they encounter.

Mentor is the New Leader

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | This article examines the role of mentors in business and presents arguments for the benefits of assigning mentors to newer and younger professionals. Mentorship allows valuable knowledge to be passed down within an organization while also providing invaluable services such as reviewing work, offering suggestions, and bolstering confidence by saying things like, “you can tackle this one on your own, I know you can.”

Mentoring: A Two-Way Street of Knowledge Exchange in Construction

Written by: Dennis Milsten, CCM, Director of Federal Programs, SIRIS | In the realm of construction management, seasoned professionals often ponder what wisdom they can bestow upon the younger generation. Traditionally, the focus has been on education and training, and nurturing the growth of aspiring professionals in the industry.

Onboarding New Leaders

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | Think about your first promotion to a leadership role – did you get any official prep or mentoring to ensure your success? Probably not. I know I didn’t! I was moved laterally from one department as a “worker bee” to another department as the manager with a staff of eight. Other than being shown how to run payroll, no one higher-up in the organization did anything to ensure I was prepared to assume the management of others. In fact, I don’t remember anyone checking in with me

Six Reasons it’s Harder Than it Needs to be to Secure the Talent You Want for Your Business

Written by: Greg Belpomme, Consultant, Heron Wolf | Hiring is extremely hard in the heavy civil realm, but does it have to be as hard as you might be making it? Here are six common reasons why businesses often struggle with unfilled positions for extended periods.

Teaming in Construction

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, Chairman & CEO, Strategic Program Management, LLC | This Executive Insight focuses on teaming among construction firms. Effective teaming begins at the pursuit stage and the success of the project rests on the strength of the foundations put in place at this earliest stage.

The Elusive Perfect Project Manager: Strategic vs. Tactical Thinking

Written by: Bill Wagner, CEO, EOS Expert Implementer, Predictive Index Partner, Author of The Entrepreneur Next Door | Selecting the right project manager (PM) can feel like chasing a unicorn. You want someone who can see the big picture, anticipate roadblocks, inspire cross-functional teams, and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. But too often, companies struggle with this because they’re asking one person to be both highly strategic and deeply tactical — two skill sets that don’t always live comfortably in the same brain.

The Leadership Shift That Frees Up Your Calendar

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Managing Consultant/Succession Strategist, The Training Doctor | You delegate a critical task Monday morning. Plan to check in Friday. Wednesday you’re “just making sure” everything’s on track. By Wednesday afternoon, you’ve basically taken it back. Your team feels micromanaged. You’re exhausted and frustrated, but next week, same pattern.

The Missing Piece In Construction Success: It’s Not Strategy. It’s Personality.

Written by: Bill Wagner, Author of The Entrepreneur Next Door | For more than two decades, I’ve worked with thousands of business owners across industries — from construction CEOs and regional contractors to franchise operators and venture backed founders. And while their job titles and project scopes may differ, one insight remains true: Business success is 80 percent behavioral and only 20 percent strategic.

The Power of Female Mentorship in Construction and Design

Written by: Elizabeth Hoover, Vice President of People and Marketing, Bravas Home Experience Design | The construction and design industry, historically an industry that’s predominantly male, is currently changing before our eyes. With more women entering the field at all levels, there is a growing trend toward seeking guidance from other fellow females. This change highlights the growing importance of female mentorship and support, which is becoming a benefit in advancing women’s careers and improving the industry’s work environment.

The Value of Assessments in Leadership Development

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | There are various types of assessments an organization can use. While some are used as a screening tool for hiring, they are most often used to identify “potential” and areas where someone could improve their performance with some training or coaching.

The Value of Volunteering in Leadership Development

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | Sixty percent of corporations allow paid time off for volunteer pursuits, according to United Way. While many companies are doing it for the “corporate goodwill” it engenders with the community, they are missing the mark on how to use volunteering for leadership development. Volunteering can develop both soft skills and technical skills that can be applied back on the job.

To Be a Better Leader – First Know Thyself

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | Knowing who you are and how you operate can help you be a more effective construction leader. Assessments can reveal learning styles, personality traits, leadership tendencies, and more; helping you to identify strengths to lean into and potential pitfalls to avoid. This article offers three assessments that are free and can benefit you or your team by providing awareness of (1) strengths, (2) emotional intelligence, and (3) intrinsic motivations.

Trust - An Essential Ingredient in Project Leadership and Success

Written by: Bob Prieto, National Academy of Construction | Trust is the currency of relationships and, by extension, the management of people. This article looks at some of the challenges to quickly build trust in the delivery of a project, as well as some unanswered challenges in building trust.

Trust is a Currency

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | The construction industry is traditionally hierarchical, with a strong chain of command and distinct divisions between owners, general contractors, trade partners, and laborers. This fragmentation can create silos and distrust among everyone. But it’s possible to change all that. By changing your view of trust from an abstract ideal to trust as a tangible asset, trust can become a “currency” you can bank and draw from when needed. Stated another way, don’t think of trust as a

What is Emotional Intelligence, Really?

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | We’ve been hearing the phrase “emotional intelligence” a lot in relation to the workplace, haven’t we? Companies tout the fact that their managers possess empathy and emotional intelligence – and that makes the company a desirable place to work. Managers are cautioned, “If you don’t demonstrate emotional intelligence, you won’t have the buy-in or cooperation of your workers.”

What it Takes to be Influential

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | More and more “leadership” isn’t about how good you are at what you do, it’s about influencing others to get work done. Success Magazine defines influence as: The aim to help others succeed. So, what does it take to be an influential leader?

When The Org Chart Gets In The Way Of Excellent Work

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Managing Consultant/Succession Strategist, The Training Doctor | Most construction firms are built on a clear, logical structure. Operations. Preconstruction. Finance. HR. Business development. Each function has a defined role, a leader, and a place on the org chart. It works — until it doesn’t.

Why Lateral Moves Should Be Required For Executive Teams

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Managing Consultant/Succession Strategist, The Training Doctor | In construction, career progression has traditionally followed a straight line. Promotions are often vertical, earned through tenure, technical mastery, or performance in a single function. That approach feels logical. It’s familiar. And for a long time, it worked.

Why Transparency Builds Better Leaders in Construction

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Managing Consultant/Succession Strategist, The Training Doctor | The best leadership transitions happen in plain sight — where everyone knows what’s expected, who’s being developed, and how they can raise their hand to be part of the future.

Why You Need To Build First-Level Leadership Skills From Day One

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Managing Consultant/Succession Strategist, The Training Doctor | Most construction firms say they want strong leaders. Unfortunately, few are intentional about building them. Instead, leadership development often begins at the moment of promotion — when a strong technical performer is suddenly responsible for people, projects, and decisions that affect the entire business. That’s a risky place to start.

Why Your Best Leaders May Not Be Ready for the C-Suite

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Managing Consultant/Succession Strategist, The Training Doctor | Some of your most talented people — your sharpest estimators, your most reliable superintendents — may not be cut out for the C-suite. Their expertise built your company’s success, but those very strengths can also hold them back from becoming true executives.

Legal

10 Often-Overlooked Legal Lessons

Written by: Scott D. Cessar, Board of Directors, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott | Construction business owners juggle heavy responsibilities. In addition to managing a business, owners need to be cognizant of the legal issues that impact their respective areas of the industry. This knowledge can protect a company and help to ensure projects run smoothly and successfully. Consider the following 10 legal reminders that construction professionals are sometimes unaware of or fail to consider.

Broken Buildings: Legal Rights and Remedies in the Wake of a Collapse

Written by: David J. Pfeffer, Partner and Chair of Construction Group, Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP | A tragedy transpired on June 24 in Surfside, Florida, when the Champlain Towers South suddenly fell, becoming one of the country’s most deadly unintentional building collapses. It is imperative that construction industry professionals be aware of the legal issues that are raised by such ill-fated events.

Claims Avoidance from An Owner’s Perspective

Written by: Bob Prieto, National Academy of Construction | Here we will look at claims avoidance from an owner’s perspective. However, this paper also serves as a guide for contractors to ensure completeness of bids, smooth execution of work, reasonableness of any claims brought forward, and the likelihood of success regarding those claims.

Defining Diligence & Scope of Work

Written by: Mitch Cohen, PE, Vice President, RT Specialty’s Environmental and Construction Professional Practice | The wrongful performance of professional services can not only result in hefty financial losses, but also structural damages that can cause many problems, from delays to collapses and loss of life. The errors and/or omissions related to engineering and architectural designs, land surveys, construction management, and technical consulting are just a few of the areas where problems can lead to significant professional liability issues.

Four Steps to Take When a Worker Is Injured on Your Construction Site

Written by: Zachary Perecman, Trial Attorney, The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C. | The construction industry continues to be one of the fastest-growing labor trades. Under Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) law, employers have a responsibility to provide a safe work environment. That includes providing a workplace that is free of serious recognized hazards. Despite best efforts in implementing risk-mitigation and safety protocols, employers must be prepared with an incident procedure should an incident occur on a jobsite.

Guidance on Inflation and Economic Price Adjustments: Top Six Things You Need to Know

Written by: Niyi Ladipo, CCM, MBP Service Executive, and Mairav Mintz, PE, CCM, MBP Executive VP, Service Strategy and Delivery | The Department of Defense (DoD), earlier this year in response to industry-wide concerns with rising inflation and the use of price adjustments, issued its Guidance on Inflation and Economic Price Adjustments which appears to signal recognition by the DoD that current economic conditions, particularly inflation, are affecting construction costs.

How to Position Yourself for Success in 2024

Written by: Glendys Zuniga, Tax Supervisor, and Ashlie Forum, CPA, Tax Partner, Marcum LLP | As the new year continues to unfold, construction business owners must pivot their focus to a critical task: tax planning. The landscape for 2023 was shaped by legislative updates from the last few years that may still substantially influence tax obligations. It is essential for construction business owners to engage in comprehensive discussions with their tax advisors to navigate complex tax laws.

How to Protect Your Projects with Construction Lien Waivers

Written by: RedTeam Builder Blog Editors | Using construction lien waivers is a simple way for program and construction management professionals to protect projects against mechanic liens. Read this article to learn about the different types of construction lien waivers, when to use each, and best practices for managing them.

Include Materials Price Escalation Clauses in Construction Clauses

Written by: Robert Alfert Jr., Partner, Nelson Mullins Broad & Cassel The construction sector has been in a bull market for an unprecedented period of time. With the novel impacts from the coronavirus - and all the associated side effects, such as government moratoria, shipping delays, and materials availability - we are now in a market of extreme volatility in pricing, inflation, and increasing capital finance rates. It is not surprising, therefore, that the number one issue in construction contracts in 2022 was how parties handle inflation and materials cost escalations in existing contracts

Labor Shortages In Construction: Managing Legal And Operational Risks

Written by: Meghan Douris, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP | Labor shortages in the construction industry have become more than a scheduling headache — they are a legal and financial risk multiplier. As contractors scramble to meet deadlines with limited manpower, shortcuts in compliance, safety, and trade partner oversight become more likely. These gaps can expose companies to regulatory penalties, contractual disputes, and reputational damage.

Managing Once-in-a-Generation Construction Problems

Written by: Adam Richards, Partner, Berger Singerman | Being a successful contractor, much like being a successful lawyer, boils down to customer service. Clients must remain happy throughout the duration of the relationship, knowing that their chosen professional has their interests at heart, minimized surprises and maintained communication and transparency from start to finish.

Oiling the Machine: Steps to Successful Permitting on Infrastructure Megaprojects

Written by: Sam Soufi, Vice President, Rail Sector Practice, Hill International, Inc. | When project teams are unable to secure permits as planned, their well-oiled machine can quickly break down, causing long-term cost and schedule disruptions, resulting in pulled funding and diminished stakeholder confidence. These outcomes can threaten a project’s feasibility. Read this article to learn the steps for reducing permitting risk.

Protecting Against Environmental Risk in Changing Climates

Written by: Maydelis Torres, Vice President, RT Specialty | Already expecting a downturn, the commercial construction industry was further impacted when COVID-19 either delayed or shuttered projects nationwide. As a result, the benefit for certain project and business owners, developers, and contractors to insure against a multitude of risks has grown exponentially.

Setting the Stage for Effective Environmental Compliance Recordkeeping

Written by: Dave Whitford, Senior EHS Professional/Project Manager, TRC Companies, Inc. | Filing the record is often the last step of completing an environmental compliance task. But who will ever look at that record again? The answer to this question is the guiding principle to establishing an effective recordkeeping system.

The City of Norfolk: Federal Funding for Resiliency Projects Spells Davis-Bacon Compliance

Written by: Joseph Modica, PE, CCM, Vice President, Service Executive, MBP | In 2016, the City of Norfolk was awarded a $112 million federal grant from the National Disaster Resilience Competition (NDRC) for the Ohio Creek Watershed project. Because this project is federally funded through The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the contractor is required to pay the locally prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits as outlined by the Davis-Bacon Act.

The Legal Landscape

Written by: David McMillon for Construction Executive | Every construction leader wants to spend more time and energy doing what they do best — building projects safely, efficiently, and profitably — and less time thinking about the things that might land them in court. How can you best avoid big disputes bound for mediation, arbitration, or litigation? What emerging rules and regulations should be on your radar as you develop strategies for success?

The State of Construction Disputes in 2025: Speed, Agility, and Adapting to Change

Written by: Roy Cooper, PE; David Lee; and Joe Seibold, PE, FCMAA, all of Arcadis | The construction industry, while a cornerstone of global economic development, is in transition and equally notorious for its susceptibility to disputes. As construction projects become more sophisticated and interconnected, the potential for disputes continues to increase. However, the industry is also demonstrating resilience and adaptability, embracing innovative approaches to conflict resolution.

Top 10 Causes of Construction Claims

Written by: Sebastian Obando, Reporter, Construction Dive | Supply chain disruptions due to the Ukraine war are stretching project timelines in the Americas region, if not directly, then through rising costs for fuel, metals and other commodities, according to the fifth annual Crux insight report on global construction claims and disputes.

What You Need to Know to Take Advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act

Written by: Alexandra McManus, CEO and Co-Founder, Eyrus | The recent Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offers asset owners and contractors considerable financial incentives for building qualified clean-energy projects. There are two main components to the IRA: apprenticeship utilization and the prevailing wage requirement. If these project requirements are met, the base credit increases from 6% to 30% for each project – and it brings more skilled workers into the industry at a time when they are desperately needed.

Why Every Construction Project Needs a Dispute Resolution Plan

Written by: Adrien Pickard and Kelley Halliburton, Partners, Barclay Damon | Anyone who has spent time in construction knows that disagreements are part of the landscape. Owners, contractors, trade partners, designers, and suppliers are all working under pressure, often with competing priorities and different interpretations of their obligations.

Program Management

Can You Teach Leadership?

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | “Leadership” is such a nebulous term. It’s part action, part mindset. Some think leaders are born, others, like me, believe leadership can be taught. While I think leadership can be taught, I concede that it’s not an easy or fast process.

Can you teach leadership?

Capturing The Day: Why Activity Summaries Matter

Written by: InEight Blog Writers | No two days are ever alike on a capital project. What’s captured, evaluated, and learned from each day can impact its construction progress and performance and, ultimately, its success as a built asset.

Change Management: Selecting the Right Construction Software

Written by: Builder Blog by RedTeam | Change management is anchored by a People, Processes, and Technology (PPT) framework. It aligns stakeholder goals and ensures selection criteria are defined and met before you purchase a new software solution. In this article, we’ll show you how to apply the PPT framework to select the best construction management software for your construction firm — starting with evaluating your current processes.

Delivering Capability At The Speed Of Mission: When Time Becomes The Greatest Risk In Capital Program Delivery

Written by: Jim Brown, PE, Military Market Leader, MBP | The organizations that consistently outperform their peers will not necessarily be those with the largest budgets, the most advanced technologies, or the most sophisticated reporting systems. They will be the organizations that recognize critical decisions sooner and move them to the right decision-makers, fast enough to make and act on the outcome.

Demystifying Program Management for Owners

Written by: Erin Slayton, PE, Director, Transportation Program Management, HDR | Program management is not a new concept in our industry but its usefulness in today’s world of aging infrastructure, funding constraints, and ever-increasing stakeholder expectations is greater than ever.

Digitalization and Process Management in Construction: A Current Industry Perspective

Written by: Araham Martinez, Soroush Abbaspour, Mazdak Nik-Bakht, and Mohamed Ouf, all affiliated with Concordia University | Despite broad experience in managing construction projects, when it comes to harnessing business operational data to efficiently manage and improve processes, the construction industry has fallen behind several other industries. The goal of this investigation is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the common trends, barriers, and insights of data-driven process management in the construction industry.

Diverse Supply Chains Drive Innovation and Inclusion

Written by: Rosalyn Asher, Regional Supplier Diversity Manager, Skanska USA Building | In today's economy, the strength of a business is often measured by its adaptability and innovative capacity. Central to these qualities is the diversity of its supply chain. Cultivating a diverse array of suppliers not only enriches a company's operations but also fosters inclusion, especially within the construction industry. This approach doesn't just open doors to unique perspectives and ideas, it also propels innovation forward

Effective Infrastructure Emergency Response Through Program Management

Interview With: Tory Jackson, PE, Project Manager/Disaster Recovery Specialist, HDR | In 2020, the U.S. experienced 22 weather and climate disasters that cost $1 billion or more. Disasters strike across the country, with these major events hitting every state and totaling about $1.9 trillion between 1980 and 2020. When crises occur, many agencies and states are turning to program management as an effective, efficient strategy for recovery.

Employing Supporting Roles for Your IT Team

Written by: Christian Burger, Founder and President, Burger Consulting Group | For construction businesses to be effective in selecting, managing, and deploying technology in today’s world, especially when the influence, intelligence, and complexity of that technology is growing, they need a new approach to IT. This includes a combination of a guiding framework of governance to ensure that technology investments are properly aligned with key business objectives, and the definition and use of the different supporting roles throughout your organization and its IT department.

Five Tips to Reduce Cost on Commercial Construction Projects

Written by: Builder Blog by RedTeam | Navigating through the intricate process of commercial construction projects demands a strategic approach, meticulous planning,‌ and a deep understanding of the industry’s dynamics. This blog will provide critical strategies and tips aimed at enhancing efficiency, controlling construction costs‌, and ensuring a more seamless execution.

Five Ways to Make Sure You’re Getting the Reporting Data You Need

Written by: InEight Blog Editors | Everyone has a crucial role in bringing a construction project to reality. And each one faces expectations to stay on track to meet client requirements. To do that means having the information necessary to make critical decisions and determine appropriate courses of action to maintain progress.

Four Ways Supplier Diversity Helps You Win in Construction

Written by: Stephanie Sherwood, Supplier Diversity Program Manager, Weston Solutions | As the construction industry continues to evolve and grow domestically and abroad, savvy firms are seeking innovative ways to gain a competitive edge and drive growth. Focusing on supplier diversity helps do just that. Robust supplier diversity programs help maximize opportunities, increase your ability to pivot on the fly, are socially and economically responsible, and boost employee morale.

From Concept to Breaking Ground: The Ultimate Guide to Preconstruction

Written by: Evelyn Long, Editor-in-Chief, Renovated Magazine | Preconstruction involves assessing the project’s feasibility, creating detailed cost estimates, and developing strategies to manage timelines and risks. Addressing potential challenges early ensures the build stays on track and within budget while minimizing delays and unexpected expenses.

Functional Organizations in Large Complex Programs

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, Member, National Academy of Construction | Large corporate organizations typically employ some form of matrix organization to share resources and ensure a consistent approach in key areas across the organization. The situation in large programs, however, is different.

Giga Program Manager Checklist for Success

Written by: Bob Prieto, National Academy of Construction Member | In construction, according to AACE1 International2, “A location factor is an instantaneous overall total project factor for translating the total cost of the project cost elements of a defined construction project scope of work from one geographic location to another."

Helping Workers With Disabilities Navigate the Construction Jobsite

Written by: Evelyn Long, Founder, Editor-in-Chief, Renovated.com | The construction industry is one of the most physically demanding sectors, requiring workers to operate heavy machinery, climb scaffolding, and maneuver across unpredictable terrain. Read this article to explore the obstacles construction professionals with physical disabilities face, strategies to enhance accessibility, the importance of jobsite safety, and potential career paths that allow workers to continue contributing to the industry.

How Construction Businesses Can Navigate Labor Shortage and Social Inflation Challenges

Written by: Sy Nilakout, Commercial Lines Sales Director, All Solutions Insurance | A proactive business owner who dedicates time and resources to workplace safety can build a pipeline to greater success and growth while avoiding major claims that could derail their operations. Business owners and operators can improve their hiring and risk mitigation efforts by focusing on the key areas discussed in this article.

How Integrated Tech Can Improve Information, Processes, and Sharing

Written by: Peg Landry, Lead Content Strategist, Newforma | Communication, transparency, and open sharing of project information are essential to building successful relationships across all stakeholders on the project team. However, the shared information must also be trusted. If incomplete, inaccurate, or untimely information is sent, relationships and trust can quickly erode.

How To Maintain a Steady Backlog

Written by: Matt Verderamo, Consultant, Well Built Construction Consulting | If you want to grow your construction firm, getting your backlog right couldn’t be much more important. A strong backlog gives you the ability to plan ahead — whether that’s for hiring needs, manpower needs, key strategic investments, or general cashflows for things like trucks or raises.

Increasing Support for the Increasing Number of Women in Construction

Written by: Shanthi Rajan, Founder and CEO, Linarc, Inc. | The construction industry has long been male-dominated, but the tide is turning as more women are making their mark in this traditionally challenging field. The growing participation of women in construction not only provides women with rewarding career opportunities but also addresses the industry's skilled-labor shortage.

Is the Owner the Problem? Four Ways Owners Can Help Drive Project Success.

Written by: Chris Payne, PE, CCM, FCMAA, President and CEO, MBP | When projects encounter cost overruns, delays, or quality concerns, it’s not uncommon for construction teams to point to one of the familiar culprits charged with executing the project: the contractor and the designer. The owner, however, plays a critical yet often overlooked role in a project’s success. Owners have unique responsibilities that can either support or complicate project outcomes. When they struggle with challenges like scope definition, internal alignment, or setting realistic budgets, these issues can ripple

Keeping Your Program on Track: The Power of Construction Program Health Assessments

Written by: Michael Siburt, PE, CCM, Vice President, Project Risk Analysis and Consulting, MBP | Rregular program health assessments allow organizations to stay ahead of challenges, make data-driven decisions, and keep their programs running efficiently. But what exactly should these assessments look for, and how can they be embedded into the program management framework? Read this article to take a closer look.

Optimizing Data Collection for Program Management Success

Written by: Martin Lopez, Senior Director of Program Management, Hill International, Inc. | Accurate, current data drives the success of construction programs, especially the largest and most complex programs. However, since even relatively small programs create massive amounts of data, effective data collection and management can be a challenge.

Poised for Productivity: Three Tips to Bolster Workforce Efficiency

Written by: Adam Stark, COO and Co-Founder, Jet.Build | The U.S. construction sector is at a crossroads, balancing surging infrastructure demands with stagnant processes and persistent headwinds that diminish profitability. When considering the historic demand for housing, continued investments into sustainable building practices, and necessary upgrades to aging infrastructure, it isn’t hard to see the construction industry has ample opportunities for improved productivity — here are ways to take advantage of them.

Procurement Do’s and Don’ts for a Robust Program

Written by: Amy Gardner, Power Program Manager, HDR, and Jodi Eliel, Procurement Specialist, HDR | With historic lead times, labor shortages and increasing demand for faster project timelines, suppliers, consultants and contractors are key components of program success. Your approach to procurement can impact the program’s schedule, and ultimately your bottom line. The authors of this article share procurement do’s and don’ts to help establish a successful program.

Project Complexity Is Real, But Are We Ready To Manage It?

Written by: Michael Siburt, PE, CCM, Vice President, Project Risk Analysis and Consulting, MBP, and Mairav Mintz, PE, CCM, Executive Vice President, Service Strategy and Delivery, MBP | Many federal agencies recognize an important truth about capital programs: not all projects are created equal. While this realization is being incorporated into planning in a positive way, organizational blind spots continue to undermine project success.

Reality in Job Cost Integrity

Written by: Gregg M. Schoppman, Consultant with FMI Corporation | Why projects sometimes appear to be winning, but actually end up losing.

Selecting the Right Program Management Information System Tool

Written by: Clarice Kinsella, Resources Program Management Director, HDR, and Zabrina Shaw, Program Controls Management Lead, HDR | To effectively navigate the array of PMIS options, recognize the categories of tools based on their core characteristics and suitability for different project needs. PMIS tools can be broadly divided into three categories: off-the-shelf, custom-built, and hybrid. Each category offers distinct advantages and considerations.

Stakeholder Management in Large Complex Programs

Written by Bob Prieto, FCMAA, National Academy of Construction member | Large complex programs require more expansive stakeholder programs than what might be traditionally experienced even on the largest single projects. This more expansive approach is driven by the growth in scale and complexity of these programs and by the different constituencies and stakeholder groups who have different views and interests related to the various projects comprising the program. Stakeholder management can be viewed as consisting of six principal steps.

The Red Zone: Five Ways to Tackle the Final 20% of Your Project

Written by: Gerry Timothy, PE, CCM, Vice President, Service Line Manager, MBP | In construction, the Red Zone is just as intense. It’s the final 20% of your project, where everything is coming together, but the risks are higher than ever. This article offers five proven strategies to help your team plan for the Red Zone and get through the toughest part of any capital project to finish strong.

Top Challenges Construction Professionals Are Facing

Written by: Andrew Conrad, Senior Content Writer, Software Advice | Construction is one of the most powerful industries on the planet. But the path from conception to project completion is riddled with obstacles. Here are three top construction challenges for construction professionals – estimating, scheduling, and planning – based on the construction software features that are most in demand with buyers.

Top Three Trends That Will Continue to Impact Construction Through 2024

Written by: David DeSilva, Head of Construction, The Hartford | It's no secret that fluctuating labor shortages and supply-chain delays can present business challenges for contractors. Construction company leaders must think proactively about future operational interruptions. Speeding into the second half of 2024, labor shortages, the supply chain, and technology are among the top trends for construction industry leaders to be aware of and address.

Transforming Your Enterprise Resource Planning Software Through Strategic AI Augmentation

Written by: Ken Fischer, CEO, Atigro | An ERP is an excellent way to gain control of assets, billing, purchasing, internal assets rental and payroll management, among other key functions. However, in business, every time-consuming data and business process problem that can't be executed by an ERP becomes a corner case.

Understanding the All-In-Rate: Key to Managing Construction Costs Efficiently

Written by: RedTeam Builder Blog Editors | As a program or construction management professional, understanding and effectively managing the cost of a construction project is crucial to the success of your business. One key term that you should be familiar with is the all-in-rate. This articles dives into what this term means and how it can impact your construction projects.

What Makes a Leader?

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | This article explores areas of personality and management techniques that make good leaders. Learn about ways to advance your leadership skills and participate in an interactive activity to identify areas that you can work on as a leader.

What Makes a Program Healthy? A Deeper Dive into Key Assessment Areas.

Written by: Kevin Haynes, Service Line Manager, Program Consulting, MBP, and Michael Siburt, PE, CCM, Vice President, Project Risk Analysis and Consulting, MBP | We all have asked the question, what makes a program healthy? The value of regular program health assessments is a process that can set owners up for success when undertaking large programs and help them stay aligned with strategic goals. But what exactly do we examine when conducting these assessments?

What You Need to Know to Take Advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act

What You Stand to Gain From Mentorship Programs

Written by: Jessica Johnson, Manager, Political Action Committee, National Propane Gas Association | Mentorship can take on many forms and is not always achieved through a formal process. To some, a mentorship could mean casually meeting for coffee once a month to discuss work, life, and balancing the two. For others, a mentorship could be deliberately established with certain goals in mind. Regardless, the mentor/mentee relationship should naturally evolve as the mentee’s career progresses and their goals change.

Why Contractors Should Concentrate on What They Can Control Today

Written by: Grant Robbins, Co-Founder of Billy | The challenges that contractors faced in 2020 persisted throughout 2021 and continue to bog down many businesses and industries as we near the end of 2022. The construction industry is getting hit especially hard. Since January 2020, the cost of building materials has risen 31.3%, with more than 10% of that spike happening between October 2021 and February 2022 — just five months.

Program Management, Workforce/Productivity/Performance

Establish, Embrace, Enhance: The Employee Engagement Tier

Written by: Salvatore Schibell, Partner, Lawson, Rescinio, Schibell & Associates, P.C. | Employee engagement is a crucial factor in the success of any industry, including construction. By focusing on communication and fostering a positive work environment, construction leaders can unleash the potential within their teams and drive productivity on the jobsite. This article will explore practical strategies to improve employee engagement in the construction workforce.

Establish, Embrace, Enhance: The Employee Engagement Tier

Program Management, Project Management/Construction Management

Managing the Monumental: How Project Controls Prevent Failure on the Largest Projects and Programs

Written by: Martin Lopez, Senior Director, Program Management, Hill International, Inc. | Why do large construction projects and programs fail? While we can cite many contributing factors, from bad and low pricing to increased costs related to changes in methodologies, lower-than-planned productivity rates, and labor and equipment shortages, the overarching reason is this: the bigger and more complex the project/program and the longer the timeline, the more opportunities there are for small risks to snowball into big problems.

Managing the Monumental: How Project Controls Prevent Failure on the Largest Projects and Programs

Project Case Studies

A Case Study in Progressive Design-Build

Written by: Hill international, Inc. Authors | Since its construction in 1971, the North Mason Regional Fire Authority’s (NMRFA) headquarters fire station has gone from providing emergency response services over an area of 36 square miles to 132 square miles, and the number of annual calls has grown tenfold. To better serve the expanding community and the Authority’s operations for the next half century, the NMRFA undertook a progressive design-build (PDB) project to deliver a new headquarters fire station.

Against The Odds: How Pennsylvania’s I-78 Reconstruction And Widening Became A Success

Written by: Andrew Cushman, Vice President, Business Development and Proposals, Urban Engineers, Inc. | When a complex interstate bridge replacement and interchange reconstruction project over a waterway has a delayed Notice-to-Proceed date and is subsequently stalled by the COVID pandemic, logic would not indicate the project would finish 189 days ahead of schedule. And yet, that's exactly what happened. It's safe to say that along the way there were numerous lessons learned.

An Inside Look at the Construction of Seattle’s $1.15 Billion Climate Pledge Arena

Written by: Sebastian Obando, Reporter, Construction Dive | Thousands of Seattle-area fans packed the Climate Pledge Arena last month when the city’s new National Hockey League franchise, the Kraken, took on the Vancouver Canucks for the team’s home opener. Underway since December 2018, the renovation included interiors and walls but preserved the original roof. The windows system was salvaged, as well as the curtain wall system.

Giga vs Traditional Projects

Written by: Bob Prieto, Chairman & CEO, Strategic Program Management LLC | There is a tendency to think of the essential difference between mega/giga projects and more traditional sized projects as one of scale. If only it were that simple. A better analogy, and something that is more clearly evident in the world of giga-projects, is that this scaling up in size has the concomitant effect of “unfolding” unseen dimensions that were likely always there but whose effects were not readily noticeable.

Materials, Labor Shortages Threaten Data Center Construction Boom

Written by: Sebastian Obando, Reporter, Construction Dive | Demand for data center construction remains stronger than ever, but issues around labor, supply chain, and inflation could mute the pace of building in the sector, according to a Turton Bond data center market report.

Newly-Constructed NYC Playscape Serves as Example for Urban Flood Zone Landscapes

Written by: Salim Short, CCM, Resident Engineer, Hill International, Inc. | The Playscape offers residents of and visitors to Lower Manhattan’s Community District 1 an open and engaging 1.5 acres of green space inspired and informed by the local ecosystem. It represents the culmination of years of careful planning, community involvement, environmentally responsive design, and high-quality construction.

On Solid Footing: Turning Setbacks Into Solutions With a Full-Service Approach

Written by: Andrew L. French, PE, Chief Operating Officer, French & Parrello Associates | When complicated soil conditions, a global pandemic, and inspection errors threatened to derail the completion of a $30 million, state-of-the-art senior living facility in Plainsboro, New Jersey, it was an ability to respond immediately with full-service engineering and inspection expertise that allowed the project to finish on schedule and within budget.

Sports Stadium Design Gets a Turbo Boost With Digital Technologies

Written by: Rina Diane Caballar, Freelance Writer | The Southeast Asian (SEA) Games is a biennial sports competition in Southeast Asia, bringing together athletes from the region’s 11 countries to battle for gold. For the games, which included 530 events in 56 sports, the country wanted a state-of-the-art sports stadium design that would serve as a centerpiece.

Tall Tales of Wind Farm Construction

Written by: Steven H. Miller for Constructor Magazine | The components used to build wind farms are very big and that affects everything about constructing them. The current generation of wind farms are bigger and more spread out, too, and they are growing in number.

What Have We Learned from Megaprojects?

Written by: Bruce E. Hallock and James G. Zack, Jr., CCM, PMP | The construction project delivery environment has undergone dramatic changes due to globalization and growth in both project size and complexity. In the past three decades we have seen the rise of the mega project, large-scale, complex ventures that typically cost over a billion dollars; take many years to develop and construct; and involve multiple public and private stakeholders.

Project Management/Construction Management

A Competitive Advantage: Why Speed Matters in Construction Management

Written by: Vito Carlin, Senior Preconstruction Manager, Amazon's Global Engineering Services | The construction industry has long had a reputation for delays. Countless projects never break ground - not due to a lack of funding or poor design - but because they die the slow death of indecision, procrastination, and inaction. While projects stall for many reasons, moving at speed addresses most of them. In construction, speed matters.

Adopting Integrated Commissioning For Greater Project Success

Written by: Brandi Heffner, Director, InEight | We all have a favorite project, the one that went so well we are excited for the next. We try to replicate that project repeatedly. How did we do it, why was that one so great? Most likely, it was because we started with the end in mind, the commissioning, and we built from that end to the beginning as a team.

An Owner’s Guide to Scheduling Alternative Delivery Projects

Written by: Sami Soufi, Vice President, Rail Sector Practice, Hill International, Inc. | Due to the scarcity of bidders, some contractors have been able to transfer schedule risks to owners. In response, owners may prefer to use alternative delivery (AD) procurement methods as a way to return some schedule risk to contractors. However, AD procurement is not a silver bullet for eliminating schedule risk.

Build Better: Maximizing Productivity with Strategic Workflow Tracking

Written by: Vito Carlin, Senior Preconstruction Manager, Amazon's Global Engineering Services | Strategic workflow management offers a powerful solution. By streamlining processes and clarifying responsibilities, it maximizes productivity, reduces errors, and promotes consistent project success. More than a time-saving tool, it enables a proactive rhythm that enhances performance across every project phase.

Building in Remote Locations: Key Insights from MBP’s Pacific Operations

Interview with: Ian Lange, PE, Pacific Regional Manager, MBP | Building in remote locations comes with a unique set of challenges, from complex logistics to language barriers to unpredictable weather. Construction managers are often called to these demanding environments, where their work is tested by nature, culture, and operational complexities.

CCM Build Up Flyer

CCM Build Up Information Sheet

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Brooks Act

Written by: John Palatiello, Administrator, Council on Federal Procurement of Architectural & Engineering Services (COFPAES) | On this day, October 27, in 1972, President Nixon signed into law legislation providing for qualifications-based selection (QBS) of architecture, engineering, (A&E) and related services, including surveying and mapping. It was 50 years ago today the Brooks Act became law.

Collaboration and Interoperability Are the Future of Preconstruction

Written by: Jon Holmes, Content Marketing Specialist, Autodesk | There’s a reason why architecture and construction firms are focusing on and investing in the process that happens before a project breaks ground. The success or failure of a project can now often be traced back to its earliest stages: the preconstruction phase.

Complex Projects and How to Best Manage Them

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, Chairman & CEO, Strategic Program Management, LLC | This article will define complex projects - decompose them and look at key drivers, outline a process to improve management of complexity, and define key elements of a complexity management strategy. The end result - complexity and its impacts on projects are often underestimated but strategies to improve outcomes exist.

Construction Estimating: Everything You Need to Know

Written by: InEight Blog Editors | Construction projects are intricate, with a lot of moving parts. Funds are needed to secure materials, design blueprints, rent equipment, obtain permits, pay the workers, and much more. All those things require an immense amount of time, effort, and money. That’s why construction estimating is an essential part of any construction project.

Construction Has An Attention Problem, Not An Innovation Problem

Written by: Chris Callen, Founder and CEO, PLOT | Construction doesn’t suffer from a lack of ideas. Spend any time at an industry event, read the trade press, or scroll LinkedIn, and you’ll see no shortage of innovation: artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous equipment, digital twins, and increasingly sophisticated software promising to transform how projects are delivered.

Construction Quality - Getting What You Paid For

Written by: Charles William (Bill) Moyers, First Vice President, Hill International, Inc. | Project and construction management companies are often tasked by clients to manage quality on their programs and projects. This means ensuring that the contractor has processes and procedures in place to meet the quality requirements of their projects and confirming how these processes and procedures are followed in the field.

Construction’s Supply Chain Outlook: More Shortages, Price Hikes Ahead

Written by: Sebastian Obando, Reporter, Construction Dive | Plan for market conditions to get worse before they get better. Despite battling supply chain issues since late 2020, the construction industry will see continued material price escalation over the next couple of years, according to industry sources.

Crews Crown Shrine with 42-ft. Diameter Dome

Written by: Constructor Magazine Online Exclusive | Lift marks milestone in building shrine dedicated to future saint. When you lift a 32-ton cathedral dome, it all comes down to trigonometry. That was the final check made before teams lifted the giant dome in place on the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine.

Defining Project Complexity and its Sources

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, National Academy of Construction Member | Complex projects are often described as being large and most large projects face increasing levels of complexity. Scale, however, is not the only determinant of complexity as there are many scientific and research projects much smaller in scale that are equally complex.

Developing the Project Charter

Written by: Ron May, National Academy of Construction | The project charter is a true reflection of what leadership believes will be the project characteristics. It is where the executive and senior leadership of the organization can set the background as to why this project is being accomplished.

Do You Know Where Your Project Is? Tracking Multi-Team Turnover Status.

Written by: InEight Behind the Build Blog Editors | You’re nearing the end of a long project. The closer you get, the more imperative it becomes to know the ongoing status of your turnover progress. Since turnover includes essentially the fully documented story of the project’s build, how can you be sure that files, drawings, and other information from earlier in the project have been stored, and where?

Do You See What I See? Accurately Communicating Drawings From Office to Jobsite

Written by: Andre Paden, Advanced Work Packaging Subject Matter Expert, InEight | Excellent communication truly is the linchpin for all successful projects in the dynamic world of construction and infrastructure development. The penalty for ineffective communication in general can be costly errors, delays, and even safety hazards.

Double Duty - Digital Twinning Technology Streamlines Collaboration Between Contractors and Clients

Written by: Katie Kuehner-Hebert for Constructor Magazine | A new day, a new technological feat: digital twin. What does it mean and how can it impact your construction project?

Earned vs Burned: Your Window into Improving Project Health

Written by: Rick Deans, Executive Vice President of Industry Engagement, InEight | Current project management methodologies tout the “earned vs burned” means of measurement as a way of understanding your project’s overall health. But there seems to be some level of confusion around what this concept means, and how it can be used most effectively.

Enhancing Construction Project Performance in the Face of Skill Shortages in the U.S.

Written by: Greg Belpomme, Consultant, Heron Wolf | This case study examines the challenges posed by skill shortages in the construction industry and investigates strategies to enhance construction project performance despite these limitations. The study delves into the impact of skill shortages on project timelines, labor costs, and quality and safety concerns.

Final Build America, Buy America Act Guidance Released

Written by: P. Lee Smith, Baker Donelson's International Trade and National Security Lead, and Gregory Maddaleni, Baker Donelson's International Trade and National Security Associate | This new guidance tightens U.S. content requirements for federally funded infrastructure projects, expands the definition of infrastructure, and provides calculation methodologies for manufactured products.

Five Industry Trends and How You Can Take Action

Written by: Laura Penhale, Assistant Vice President of Surety Home Office Underwriting at IAT Insurance Group, and Tom Postol, Senior Vice President of Property & Inland Marine at IAT Insurance Group | The potential for recession, continued inflation, critical labor shortages, and supply chain issues will loom large over construction in 2023. Prepare for opportunity with consideration of the following five trends.

Five Powerful Construction Project Management Strategies

Written by: RedTeam Builder Blog Editors | Construction project management is complex. One misstep can cause an avalanche of delays, cost overruns, and quality issues, which can ultimately lead to project failure. However, there are simple steps general contractors (GCs) and project managers (PMs) can take to mitigate these challenges. Once you learn them, you can apply them to any size project and run it well.

Fostering Open Innovation

Written by Bob Prieto, FCMAA, National Academy of Construction Member | All firms struggle with innovation, whether that innovation be incremental or revolutionary. In part, this struggle is due to the use of traditional, closed innovation systems. An alternative to closed innovation is “open innovation.”

Got Partnering? Why I Think We Still Need Partnering in Construction.

Written by: Brian K. Moore, PE, CCM, Vice President, Federal Market Leader, MBP | The construction process is full of well-worn and tested processes, stable regulations, universally accepted and legally sound contract documents, and rapidly improving technology. But you shouldn't miss an important component – partnering.

How Before & After Action Reviews Identify Project Failures & Successes

Written by: Preston Ingalls, President Emeritus, TBR Strategies | Having trained thousands of managers and staff over my 30 years as a consultant, I have always emphasized a key approach to project management: utilizing before action reviews (BARs) and after action reviews (AARs). This article will detail the benefits of these processes and how you can start using them on your projects.

How Builders Can Help Mitigate Supply Chain Issues

Written by: Ken Pinto, Author of “How Much Is the Milk?” and Founder of Kenzai USA | By ordering ahead of time, construction firms can be part of the solution to materials sourcing woes, a supply chain expert writes.

How Construction Managers Optimize Projects for Environmental Efficiency

Written by: Rose Morrison, Freelance Writer | The construction industry needs to improve its sustainability. Climate change continues to wreak havoc on weather, habitats, and public health.

How Performance-Driven Construction Management Will Improve Productivity

Written by: Aviv Leibovici, Chief Product Officer, Co-Founder, Buildots | In 2023, despite the proliferation of digital tools and advanced management programs, the construction industry still grappled with project delays and cost overruns. While making strides in innovation, many construction sites continue to look much like they did a century ago. But is this slow evolution rooted in technology (or lack thereof), people, or both? Could a performance-driven construction management (PDCM) approach pose a pragmatic solution to this innovation dilemma?

How Preconstruction Can Ease Cost and Supply Chain Challenges

Written by: Sebastian Obando, Reporter, Construction Dive | The importance of an effective preconstruction process has never been more apparent, said Brett Poulos, national director of preconstruction and estimating at Burns & McDonnell, a Kansas City, Missouri-based construction company. The preconstruction phase increasingly gives owners and developers a better understanding of the project’s cost, scope, and schedule.

How Project Controls Improves Infrastructure Project Outcomes

Written by: InEight Blog Editors | With highly anticipated infrastructure projects getting under way in the U.S. and around the globe, the focus going forward must be on how to keep project inefficiencies in check and deliver those projects on time and within budget. It’s going to come down to project controls.

How Project Managers and Commissioning Agents Can Work Together to Drive Successful Program Completion

Written by: Kevin Day, PE, Vice President, Facility Performance Service Leader, MBP, and Bill Grip, PE, MBP | When it comes to large construction programs, the finish line is often the most critical and challenging part of the journey. As deadlines loom and systems are being installed, tested, and handed over, the collaboration between the construction and commissioning teams can make or break a project.

How Project Managers Can Promote Ethical Approaches & Better Project Results

Written by: Cezar R. Cunningham, Senior Project Manager, Hill International, Inc. | Business ethics and corporate social responsibility are not new, but with ever-increasing public scrutiny of business practices and their impact on social and environmental welfare, these concepts have taken on profound importance in the modern business environment. For construction projects, this means prioritizing ethical decision making through the entire project life cycle.

How Single-Source Visibility Benefits Capital Project Owners

Written by: InEight Behind the Build Blog Editors | Capital projects are inherently complex. With so many moving parts and the potential for delays and budget overruns, complete project visibility is always a must to achieve desired outcomes. That can only come from a single source of truth (SSOT).

How to Spot and Avoid Unexpected Project Delays

Written by: Robert Salaj, Director, Customer Advisory Team, Construction, Quickbase | Here’s the thing about construction project delays: It’s not a matter of if they will happen — it’s when they will happen, for how long, and why. The key to project profitability is identifying and addressing the factors that are in your control before it is too late.

How to Write Construction Project Reports That Build Trust

Written by: RedTeam Builder Blog Editors | Construction projects are high-stakes and full of moving parts. For clients, the experience often feels like a waiting game — are things on track, is the budget under control, and when will it all be finished? That’s where construction project reports come in. Done right, these reports aren’t just updates — they’re trust that builders will reassure clients and keep projects running smoothly.

How Your Firm Can Iterate for Optimal Communication and Responsive Decision-Making

Written by: Ed Muzio, Chief Executive Officer, Group Harmonics | Construction requires planning. Learning as you go is a fine idea in theory, but you can't exactly upgrade light fixtures over the internet or revise floor plans on the fly. In our world, "corrections and adjustments" may take months and cost millions. If you can't lay out a strong plan and follow it closely, you are doomed to cost overruns and schedule slips.

Identifying Location Factors in Large Complex Projects

Managing Materials During Engineering - Civil/Structural

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, Chairman & CEO, Strategic Program Management LLC | This article looks at the management of materials during the various engineering phases and engineering support to construction. Responsibilities, activities, and workflow are described for the civil/structural discipline. The information here is most applicable to large process, power, mining, and industrial plants, but can be readily adapted for civil/structural projects such as large transportation or water projects.

Managing the Risk of Subsurface Conditions

Written by: Michael C. Loulakis, President and CEO, Capital Project Strategies, LLC, and Douglas Gransberg, President, Gransberg & Associates, Inc., both members of NAC | The concern of encountering unanticipated subsurface conditions is present on virtually every construction project. This article provides insight into how owners can effectively manage subsurface risk. It starts with a discussion about managing risk through the use of a Differing Site Conditions clause in construction contracts.

Mastering Quality Assurance in Construction

Written by: Carl Veillette, Chief Product Officer, Newforma | Quality assurance (QA) in construction isn’t just ticking boxes: It’s about building safe, durable structures that stand the test of time. For construction business owners, mastering QA can mean the difference between costly reworks and a sterling reputation.

Mastering the Art of Construction Client Communication

Written by: Scott DeLano, Principal, Certified Construction Services | Open client communication is the cornerstone of success for businesses across various industries. In construction, it is all too easy to become consumed by the pressing demands of deadlines, adhering to timelines, and navigating each project’s development.

Nail Your Construction Project Closeout Every Time With These Tips

Written by: Andrew Conrad, Senior Content Writer, Software Advice | Construction project closeout is a big moment. It’s when you, as the builder at a small firm, get to proudly hand off the keys to the happy customer and bask in the satisfaction of a job well done. This stage is also known as “handing over the keys,” which is an actual part of the closeout. Closeout includes things like closing any open contracts, signing and filing necessary paperwork, walkthrough with the client, completing any last-minute changes requested by the customer, and analyzing project performance.

Outcomes Based Project Contracting

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, Chairman & CEO, Strategic Program Management, LLC | The engineering and construction industry has always faced challenges on alignment of interests of multiple parties in project delivery. Among the challenges are risk allocation and risk/reward sharing. Traditional contract mechanisms are often focused on risk transfer, not always to the best party to mitigate risks, but often driven by lenders and financing arrangements. This situation is often exacerbated through multi-party contracting strategies which introduce new levels of delivery complexity and growing

Parkinson’s Law in Project Schedules and Project Management

Written by: Bob Prieto, National Academy of Construction member | Parkinson’s Law states “work expands to fill available time for its completion.” It was originally developed in the 1950s by C. N. Parkinson, a British naval historian and author of more than 60 books. Parkinson’s Law can be seen in project performances where many tasks complete exactly on schedule with no real early finishes noted.

Pay Attention to Details in the Infrastructure Investment Act

Written by: Josh Mahan, Director of Government and Industry Relations, Xylem | The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) delivered good news to the construction industry, with an estimated $1 trillion dollars to fund U.S. infrastructure and related projects. However, with this good news comes a recommendation to read the fine print.

Project Review Meeting Agenda and Checklist

Written by Bob Prieto, FCMAA, National Academy of Construction member since 2011 | Effective project review meetings are essential to oversight and control of projects. A consistent, enterprise-wide approach improves the overall quality of project reviews and facilitates the identification of enterprise risks and performance issues. Each project carries its own special challenges and requirements, which will dictate more attention and more in-depth reviews of particular aspects.

Project Selection in Large Engineering and Construction Programs

Written by: Bob Prieto, Chairman & CEO, Strategic Program Management LLC | One of the most important steps in the implementation of a program management approach is the selection of the projects that will comprise the program. This selection process, done properly, is neither intuitively obvious nor simple.

Questions to Ask Before Using Commercial Drones on Construction Sites

Written by: Toby Cushing, Head of Construction, The Hartford | Commercial drones are changing the way we look at construction sites. When considering drone usage or ensuring their use at construction sites, there are several key questions that should be addressed by businesses and insurance carriers.

Safeguarding Data for Fleets in Construction

Written by: Robert Nawy, CEO, IPKeys Cyber Partners | Data security is of paramount importance to fleets — even the smallest data breach could lead to a company’s loss in revenue and customers, as well as a potential hit on its reputation. In regard to construction fleets, employees accessing company information through various networks — along with vendors and subcontractors accessing certain systems and data — create many susceptible points of infiltration for cybercriminals.

Successful Contractors Don’t Fight Change. They Embrace it.

Written by: Matt Verderamo, Senior Consultant, Well Built Construction Consulting | Change is a necessary part of personal and organizational growth. Yet most people and companies are resistant to change, and it prevents them from reaching their full potential. Often, the most successful organizations are constantly changing, while the struggling organizations are stuck in their ways.

Tackling the Misnomers of Preconstruction Strategy

Written by: Gregg Schoppman, Consultant, FMI Corporation | World class preconstruction planning is actually more about project strategy than simply checking things off a master list. However, real preconstruction strategy is so much more in depth and should have a level of problem solving that only comes from collaboration between the estimator, manager, and superintendent.

Tactical Actions to Improve Construction Productivity

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, member of the National Academy of Construction | Construction productivity has been a perennial problem faced by the construction industry. This article will address both the challenges and the strategic and tactical actions to improve it.

The 10 Commandments of Project Success

Written by: George Hedley, Professional Construction BIZCOACH and Industry Speaker | How to stop making exceptions and deliver excellence every time.

The Best Path Forward for Construction Recruiting

Written by: Brian May, Vice President of Channel Development, Arcoro | 2023 is shaping up to be one for the record books. It’s a perfect storm of a workforce shortage that’s been years in the making coupled with historic planned infrastructure work plus other megaproject spending. The numbers are significant.

The Case for Asset Centric Project Management

Written by: Nicholas Johnson, Chief Evangelist, Kahua | For the last year, an idea has been socialized among the CMAA community and with various other construction owners that has resonated with every audience. The idea is simply that as we manage construction projects, we need to do so through the lens of an asset owner.

The Evolution and Impact of the Construction Manager Agent: From Master Builder to Modern Leader

Written by: Dennis J. Milsten, CCM, Director of Federal Programs, SIRIS | The role of the Construction Manager Agent (CMa) has changed significantly over time. It began with the master builder, who oversaw entire projects from design to construction. Today, the CMa takes on a vital role, managing the planning, design, and construction phases while providing leadership and guidance.

The Foundations of Operational Excellence Part 4

Written by: Gregg M. Schoppman, Partner, FMI Corporation | Operationally superior companies continuously review and update their processes, and that discipline extends to post-job procedures as well. It takes dedication and diligence to create an operationally superior company, leveraging the lessons you learn from one job to the next.

The Future of Construction

Written by: Michelle Meisels, Principal, Technology Practice, Deloitte Consulting, and Aijaz Hussai, Senior Manager, Deloitte Services LP | There are fundamental shifts happening that will push engineering and construction industry firms to explore radically new ways of creating and capturing value as they make the leap toward the fourth industrial revolution.

The Importance of Effective Construction Management in Data Centers

Written by: Pam Cannon, Vice President of Marketing, Utilities Sector, TRC | In today’s digital age, data centers form the backbone of cloud computing, artificial intelligence and the vast array of digital services we rely on daily. As the demand for data centers rises, companies are racing to expand these facilities. However, the construction of data centers is complex, costly, and prone to delays that can have significant financial repercussions.

The Importance of Project Planning in Construction

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, Chairman & CEO, Strategic Program Management, LLC | Project and construction planning are foundational aspects of all projects undertaken in the engineering and construction industry. This article looks at planning for these projects focusing on those activities at the earliest stages of the project.

The Importance of Soft Skills in Construction Leadership

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | Traditionally, the construction industry has focused on hard skills like project management, budgeting, and technical expertise as key qualities for leaders. Yet as the workforce has diversified, and the complexity of projects has grown, so has the demand for leaders who can inspire, communicate, and collaborate effectively. Read this article to learn about the beneficial outcomes of polishing your social skills.

The Power of Excellence in Utility Construction Management

Written by: Scott Gregg, Director of Construction Management, TRC Companies, Inc. | Utility engineering and construction initiatives can be complicated and difficult, perhaps now more than ever. The demands of the energy transition – significant grid modernization upgrades and initiatives, rapid technological advances, emerging physical and cybersecurity issues, and changes to operational processes and systems – require detailed planning and precise execution.

The Road to Zero: Paving the Way to Zero Emissions

Written by: Chris Giorgianni, Vice President of Product, JCB | In the construction industry, we’ve seen advancements in manufacturing and design capabilities as well as machine applications across jobsites. Today, the challenge at the forefront of all industries is curbing emissions — the “road to zero.”

The Three P’s of Project Management

Written by: Jon Isaacson, General Contractor | Project management is an essential function of any organization offering services in the skilled trades. Project managers feel they are overutilized and underappreciated by owners, managers, subcontractors, and customers.

The What and Why of End-Of-Project Artifacts

Written by: InEight Blog Editors | As a project’s end approaches, it’s typically the time to wrap up all the artifacts the owner will use to validate all building requirements have been met and to help manage and maintain the project well into the future. But as capital projects have grown and their sophistication and complexity have increased, there’s been a corresponding increase in the amount and types of final deliverables to present at turnover.

Three Major Benefits of Preconstruction Planning

Written by: Chris Hillyer, Regional Director of Preconstruction Services, Skanska | The preconstruction process is a vital phase in the construction industry, laying the foundation for a seamless and efficient project. If a builder gets preconstruction right, they pave the way for a smoother building process.

Three Ways Contractors Can Increase Their Productivity

Written by: InEight Behind the Build Blog Editors | When looking at the origins of cost overruns and missed completion dates of capital projects, a solid line can be traced back to productivity levels. While it’s certainly not the only cause, it stands out because so much of it is controllable. There are several tried-and-true ways that contractors can regain control over the factors that impact overall productivity levels.

Upskill Project Managers to Meet Growing Infrastructure Construction Opportunities

Written by: Ben Breen, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, and Global Head of Construction, Project Management Institute | We’re entering an era of unprecedented investment in infrastructure in the United States and around the world. While that’s good news for the construction industry, it raises important questions about whether the industry is investing enough of its own capabilities to meet the growing demand.

What Is Construction Automation, and How Will It Drive the Future of Building?

Written by: Mark Davis, Autodesk Sr. Director | While development and adoption of automation technologies has evolved more slowly in construction than in manufacturing, the time is now ripe for automated construction technologies to play a major role in helping to bring construction’s digital transformation into full bloom.

What Makes a Great People Manager?

Written by: Chad Prinkey, CEO, Well Built Construction Consulting | Managing a project requires strong planning, organizing, communication, and problem-solving skills. You can entrust your projects to someone with these attributes if they also possess the necessary technical aptitude for the projects, as one cannot solve a problem that they do not know how to recognize nor have solutions prepared to resolve.

What You Need to Know About the Role of Modular Construction

Written by: George Olear, RA, AIA, Principal Architect, Gannett Fleming | Have you ever built a wall, castle, or other structure out of toy blocks or bricks? If so, you’ve dabbled in modular construction.

Why Effective Project Information Management Is Key to Success

Written by: Slater Latour, Chief Marketing and Product Officer, Newforma | The ongoing evolution of technology and the business landscape combined with continuing economic and cultural disruption have amplified the challenge of managing project information for architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AECO) firms.

Why Field Data Matters

Written by: David Brian Ward, CEO and Founder, Safe Site Check In | Field data contains a lot of critical information about the skills of workers and status of projects, yet it’s not always factored into the larger project plan. When you bridge the gap between what’s happening on the jobsite and the best-laid plans mapped out in the construction business owner’s office, you can spot trends and get ahead of potential issues before they erode a project’s profitability.

Why Great Project Management Starts Before Construction Begins

Written by: Guia Lasquete, Associate Principal, Rider Levett Bucknall | Engaging a project manager (PM) at the beginning of the design process — rather than starting at the construction phase — offers owners, architects, and contractors the measurable benefit of actionable options, not merely analysis.

Why Preconstruction Should Start Before the Bid

Written by: Andy Cushman, Director of Business Development and Proposals, Urban Engineers | The construction industry continues to face myriad uncertainties, including tariffs, fluctuations in material costs, supply chain delays, and increased competition for a limited pool of funds. Given that climate, constructability reviews, and value engineering become critical to finding safer, more efficient and cost-effective alternatives that help owners manage both budgets and risks without compromising the final product.

With DfMA, the Full Potential of Industrialized Construction Is Revealed

Written by: Mark de Wolf, Freelance Writer | With trillions of dollars’ worth of new structures to house, employ, and service the planet’s exploding population in the pipeline, the pressure is on to build and build fast. But construction can be a chaotic affair. The answer for many is to rip a page from manufacturing’s playbook with a process called design for manufacturing and assembly, or DfMA.

Risk Management

Enhancing Safety and Efficiency on the Jobsite

Written by: Cyndi Punke, Product Marketing Manager, CASE Construction Equipment Parts & Service | Construction sites can be hazardous places, with heavy equipment, machinery, and workers constantly operating in close proximity. In this complex environment, any misstep or error can result in severe accidents or injuries.

A Discussion Around Modern Methods of Construction

Written by: Richard Papworth, Director, HDR | Despite the know-how around Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) among industry professionals, the question is why aren’t they used more? This is especially pertinent when MMC clearly have so many advantages, among them quality, sustainability, and labor efficiencies.

A Practical Guide to Insurance and Risk Management

Written by: Albert Sica, Founder and Managing Principal, The ALS Group | In today’s complex business landscape, understanding and managing risks is no longer optional. Read this article to explore five critical areas where effective risk management can protect and strengthen your business.

An Onsite Physical Therapist Can Help Minimize Jobsite Accidents, Injuries

Written by: Kris Corbett, Director, Atlas Injury Prevention Solutions, and Kyle Schmoyer, Environmental Health and Safety Reporter | While some might argue that it is impossible to eliminate workplace accidents, getting as close to zero as possible is a goal of some of the leading organizations in the world. That is because they all understand the same thing, that safety is excellent for business, and a commitment to reducing accidents also lowers operating costs, decreases turnover, and boosts productivity.

An Overview of Correlation

Written by: Bob Prieto, National Academy of Construction | This Executive Insight looks at correlation in project and program risk assessments and some of the impacts of a failure to adequately consider such correlation in project risk assessments related to both cost and schedule.

Back to Basics: Reminders of Some of the Best and Simplest Construction Safety Tips

Written by: Omar Kaywan, Founder and Chief Growth Officer, Goose Insurance | Being a construction worker is one of the most dangerous and potentially fatal jobs. In 2020 alone, over 1,000 construction workers died, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and over 21,000 sustained non-fatal injuries.

Better Manage the Four Types of Subcontractor Risk

Written by: Adrien Pickard, Construction Litigator, Shapiro Lifschitz & Schram | Subcontractor risk takes many forms. Managing the risks is one of the central challenges faced by every general contractor. Here are four types of risk posed by subcontractors and some ways to mitigate those risks.

BOP Insurance vs. Commercial Property Insurance: Which One is Right for Your Construction Company?

Written by: Keith Signoriello, Principal and Owner, C&S Insurance | In the construction industry, managing risks is a constant, day-to-day concern. From the safety of your workforce to the financial viability of your projects, there are numerous potential challenges to address. Insurance plays a key role in mitigating these risks, and choosing the right coverage for your business is critical.

Builder’s Risk: Three Blind Spots Impacting Your Project’s Success

Written by: Dennis Tsonis, Construction Practice Leader, Marsh McLennan | Not all builder’s risk policies are created equal — coverage exclusions, limits, and insurer appetite vary widely. What you don’t know can hurt you. Increased risks during the construction phase of a contract may create costly financial potholes if not covered by a builder’s risk policy.

Building Resiliency: Withstanding Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters

Written by: Bill Creedon, Global Head of Construction, WTW | According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2016 and 2020 an estimated average of 4,300 fires per year plagued structures under construction, adding up to about $376 million in annual property damage. The construction companies that the insurance industry regularly engages face the highest risk and receive the most negative impact from wildfires that may include higher-risk entities, such as power-line contractors and power-infrastructure companies.

Climate Risk Analysis For Buildings And Infrastructure

Written by: Kit Wong, Ph.D., Principal Architect and Senior Vice President, GFT | Environmental conditions are no longer a future concern; it is already reshaping how people experience buildings, infrastructure, and public spaces. Across the country, people are feeling the effects of hotter summers, heavier storms, flooding, and service disruptions that affect safety, reliability, and continuity.

Construction 101: Understanding Risk Management

Written by: Builder Blog by RedTeam | It’s no secret that construction is a complex industry, which is why risk management should be an essential part of your strategy. When you proactively identify risks, you can take steps to mitigate them so your project is completed on time and within budget. This article will help you learn more about construction risk management, including how you can develop and implement a risk management plan for your next project.

Construction is Among the Industries Most at Risk for ACA Penalties

Written by: Joanna Kim-Brunetti, Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Trusaic | With new employees coming and going at a high rate, it can be difficult for construction employers to keep track of who is eligible for health coverage and who isn’t, creating unique challenges in meeting Affordable Care Act requirements.

Contingency Is An Agreement About Uncertainty

Written by: Remy Edmunds, PE, CCM, Associate Director of Project Management, Yale University Office of Facilities | I t helps to be precise about what contingency is, because the word gets stretched until it stops meaning much. In their overview of contingency calculation methods, Bakhshi and Touran are clear that contingency is a reserve for the risk and uncertainty around a defined project, and that it is a different thing from major scope change, from management reserve, from escalation, and from allowances, which are scope items at an uncertain price and belong in the base cost.

Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plans for Contractors: Lessons From the Past

Written by: Rich Sghiatti, Regional Vice President, Contract Surety Operations, Old Republic Surety | There is no shortage of natural disasters to illustrate the importance of being prepared. Wildfires, hurricanes, winter storms, and floods can hit a construction job site hard. Contractors who have good business continuity and disaster recovery plans fare better than those who do not.

Cover Your Assets: The Power of Contemporaneous Documentation

Written by: Peter Lasensky, Command Post Notes, and Robert J. Gries, PE, CCM, FCMAA | Disputes are inevitable on every construction project — but the side with better documentation usually prevails. As project managers, owners’ representatives, and construction managers, credibility relies on the capacity to accurately establish not only what transpired but also when and how it was documented. That is why contemporaneous documentation — such as GPS-located notes, photos, and voice recordings captured at the time an event occurs — has become indispensable.

Crisis Leadership in Construction: Managing Through Disruption

Written by: Rohit Shinde, PE, Project Controls Lead, Black & Veatch Corporation | The construction industry operates in a perpetual state of controlled chaos. Weather delays, supply chain hiccups, permit snags, and equipment failures are Tuesday morning coffee conversation. Yet when true crisis strikes like a pandemic shuttering jobsites, natural disasters destroying months of progress, or economic downturns freezing credit markets, the difference between companies that survive and those that fold often comes down to one factor: leadership under pressure.

Crisis Management in Construction

Written by: Tobias Cushing, Head of Construction, The Hartford | It’s no secret that all businesses should have a plan in case of emergency. For construction companies, it’s extremely important because the business can be shut down due to disasters or unexpected events.

Decision-Making Under Uncertainty

Written by: Bob Prieto, Chairman & CEO, Strategic Program Management LLC | This Executive Insight examines the special case of decision-making under uncertainty. The relationship between uncertainty and complexity is explored as is their joint relationship with large complex projects. The importance of getting these projects well-founded from an ability to manage uncertainty is discussed and the aspects of these strong foundations are described.

Designing in an Uncertain Climate

Written by: Nathalie Beauvais, Climate Resiliency Lead for Architecture and Planning, HDR | While architects and engineers must increasingly consider the changing climate in building designs, the current landscape’s rapid pace of change offers new obstacles. Planners and designers have a unique opportunity to protect public interest by designing structures that are resilient against climate change and can contribute to a regenerative future.

Don’t Let a Good Crisis Waste You

Written by: Tommy E. Jones, Safety Director, McCoy Grading, Inc. | “Don’t let a good crisis go to waste,” a phrase that was artfully coined by Rahm Emanuel while he was the White House chief of staff, has become an interesting point of discussion among crisis communications experts and enthusiasts. Is there such thing as a “good crisis?” In some instances, Emanuel’s point that a crisis can prove useful in some ways is valid... if the crisis is handled properly.

Eight Warning Signs Your Project is at Risk

Written by: Mairav Mintz, PE, CCM, Executive Vice President, Service Strategy and Delivery, MBP | In the construction industry, project managers are taught to be proactive, anticipate risks, and plan accordingly. But the truth is when managing large projects, it is sometimes hard to see the warning signs that projects are struggling. Identifying early signs of project distress could provide an opportunity to rectify the situation before the project feels the ramifications. This article offers a list of warning signs as a starting point.

Event Contingency

Written By: Bob Prieto, Senior Executive, the National Academy of Construction. | Event contingency is an event, such as an emergency, that may―but is not certain to―occur. This Executive Insight focuses on this important element of an engineer’s or a constructor’s price. While event contingency is often considered from a provider’s perspective, it is equally important from an owner’s perspective in order to understand probable project costs, the event-related uncertainties a project may face, and strategies to best manage any emergent risks.

Fall Protection Strategies That Work

Written by: Gurlal Singh, Chief Business Officer, Lynn Safety, Inc. | Fall protection is a highly important topic, yet it is often ignored. Falling from elevated work locations has been a leading cause of injuries and deaths in the construction industry. Falls can hurt an employee both physically and emotionally.

Five Factors That Can Make Your Construction Risk Register Obsolete

Written by: James Gallagher, Professional Engineer and Principal of Resolution Management Consultants | A risk register is a tool that construction project managers use to predict, document, track, and manage issues that could negatively impact their ability to achieve project goals. In the last year or so, a number of factors relating to risk have undergone disruption. Some important risk factors are now less important and vice versa.

Five Risk Myths Demolished

Written by: Bruce Gerhardt, Industry Fellow of Construction Law and Adjunct Lecturer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln | We make decisions about risk every day in our personal and business lives. For construction business owners, bad outcomes can mean the difference between staying in business or not. Here are five risk myths that get in the way of thinking about important risks you may be overlooking.

Five Strategies To Help Construction Leaders Mitigate Risk

Written by: Donna Powers, Head of Construction Bonds, The Hartford | When the construction industry undergoes changes like tariffs, supply chain constraints, and labor shortages, general contractors might be tempted to explore new opportunities for growth beyond their established customer base and expertise. However, it is during these uncertain times that it is best for companies to evaluate and test their financial, operational, and risk resiliency before taking on new and different development projects.

Five Ways Technology Can Ease Project Risk Management

Written by: InEight Blog Editors | The construction industry is going through a major transformation. The way we build, operate, and maintain buildings has changed dramatically in the last decade. This shift has created uncertainty on the jobsite and in the back office. That complexity is making risk management and mitigation efforts that much more of a challenge. This means taking a more proactive approach to project risk management is a must. Having the right technology in place can give you more control over both the anticipated and the unexpected.

Four Common Practices That Result in Detrimental Outcomes

Written by: Gregg M. Shoppman, Consultant, FMI Corporation | No one wakes up and thinks, “How can I make an unmitigated disaster of this project? And, most importantly, annoy my best customer?” Yet, construction leaders regularly make errors that serve to irritate their customers. Here are some of the most common actions that result in the most detrimental outcomes.

Four Steps to Effectively Manage Rising Risk of Construction Liability Claims

Written by: David Chmiel, Senior Vice President, HUB International | A priority for every construction firm, regardless of size, is the effective management of risk. The industry is rife with dangers, more than any other. Too often, risks — of various types — are underestimated or overlooked, making it critical to closely follow and manage policies and practices to guard against them.

Four Ways Builders Risk Coverage Is Reshaping Construction Risk Management

Written by: Kirk Chamberlain, Executive Vice President, National Construction Practice, HUB International | Construction risks are evolving as threats to jobsites evolve. Thankfully, builders risk insurance is evolving as well. The builders risk insurance market size reached $5.36 billion last year, a signal of the current upward shift in the construction industry. For decades, volatility defined the sector, with pipelines rising and falling on material prices, interest rates, labor shortages, and catastrophic risks like wildfires and water damage. Today, it’s a different story.

Four Ways Planning Helps to Improve Safety on Jobsites

Written by: Jim Janquart, Senior Field Safety Specialist, Riley Construction | Working in construction inherently poses a higher risk of on-site accidents and other health and safety hazards off-site. No matter the size of the project, safety planning and employee health must be prioritized to reduce injuries that can result in work delays and potential litigation.

Four Ways to Protect Your Jobsite From Severe Weather

Written by: Michael Teng, Assistant Vice President of Regional Products, Pricing, and Underwriting, Sentry Insurance | There’s a good chance severe weather has impacted your construction site in the last few years. In fact, severe weather events exceeding $1 billion in damages have more than doubled in the past five years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Compounding problems, material inflation, and supply chain delays could lead to longer, costlier recovery periods.

Gaining Buy-In from Employees to Avoid At-Risk Behaviors

Tony Leketa, PE, National Academy of Construction Member | One of the major problems of a Safety Management System (SMS) is to assure that compliance with the various elements does not become mechanical and repetitious to the point of being ignored by workers as a meaningless exercise in “compliance” rather than an effort to focus attention on avoiding at-risk behaviors. The goal of this Executive Insight is to explain complacency and how it comes about, and to provide guidance as to how to avoid complacency.

High-Risk Construction Projects Demand Specialized Insurance

Written by: Kyle Sternadori, Head of Wholesale Casualty, Navigators, a Brand of The Hartford | Today’s construction projects are riskier than ever and often not covered by traditional insurance. Securing casualty insurance in the wholesale market can help construction companies better execute these high-stakes ventures.

How Advanced Machine Learning and Analytics Counter Security Risks

Written by: Cameron Simon, Senior Vice President of Industrials, Technology, and Services, Stallion Infrastructure Services | Theft at construction sites is a growing crisis, with the National Equipment Register reporting losses amounting to billions of dollars annually. In an era where the prices of crucial materials like lumber and copper are at record highs, this issue poses a severe financial burden on business owners. The repercussions of such thefts extend beyond the direct loss of materials; they significantly disrupt the flow of operations, which can be detrimental to the overall

How Construction Robotics Are Transforming Risk Management

Written by: Mark de Wolf, Freelance Writer specializing in technology stories | Construction sites can look chaotic. Tracking progress in this challenging outdoor environment can be difficult—especially when comparing a real building to a digital model. Now one company has created a four-wheeled robot equipped with LIDAR and cameras that can map a construction site 10 times faster than existing methods.

How to Build an Ergonomics Strategy That Works

Written by: Shannon Jones, Regional Safety Manager, Aerotek | Labor can be harmful to physical health when proper attention isn’t given to how the work is designed and performed. Improper tools, limited mobility, and other factors can lead to workers missing time from work due to soreness, fatigue, and other health issues.

Identify, Manage, and Reduce Jobsite Hazards and Threats

Written by: David Redd, Content Manager, HCSS | All construction projects carry some level of risk that needs to be identified, assessed, and managed so construction projects are not negatively impacted. There are four main types of risk in construction: financial, safety, scheduling, and legal.

Improving Cyber Defenses in the Construction Industry

Written by: Ryan Bell, Senior Manager of Threat Intelligence Research, Corvus Insurance | Cyberattacks have proliferated across the construction supply chain — from attacks on large U.S. construction giants to small trade partners. The strategies and tools meant to modernize and digitally transform construction companies and their suppliers have opened doors for cybercriminals. It’s important for companies to be aware of commonly used attack methods and implement security controls to help mitigate these risks.

Jobsite Safety Has Slipped Since the Pandemic, Construction CEOs Say

Written by: Jay Greenspan, Co-Founder of JMJ, and Founder of the Injury and Incident Free CEO Forum | Recently, I was asked for my thoughts on the safety challenges the U.S. engineering and construction industry is facing in 2023. To get a broader view, I put the question to the CEOs of 11 different construction companies. While each CEO had their own company-specific challenges, there were two areas of concern that almost all of them shared.

Making It Stick: Implementing Project Risk Management in Your Organization

Written by: Michael Siburt, PE, CCM, MBP Vice President, Project Controls Services Leader; Justin Jacobsen, MBP Director of Innovation Development; and Mairav Mintz, PE, CCM, MBP Executive Vice President, Consulting | Project risk management (PRM) has for decades been recognized by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) as a project management best practice. GAO has urged federal agencies to conduct cost and schedule risk analyses to anticipate and quantify risks that can lead to cost increases and schedule delays.

Management Commitment: All Safety Incidents Are Preventable

Written by: Dan Johnson, CEO, and Marni Hogen, Senior Director of Health and Safety, Mortenson Construction | Safety consultant Dan Petersen, in his 2004 article for Professional Safety magazine, states, “Leadership is infinitely more important than policy. Through actions and decisions, a leader sends clear messages to the entire organization regarding which policies are important.”

Managing Risk for Geohazard Projects from Planning Through Construction

Written by: Gannett Fleming’s Joe Krupansky, Principal Geologist; Matthew Morris, Vice President and Geotechnical Practice Leader; Casey Smith, Principal Geologist; and Francisco Saldana, Senior Geologic Designer | Geohazards in the engineering community generally refer to naturally occurring or human-induced geologic conditions that put people’s lives, safety, and property at risk. The most common geohazards impacting our transportation networks, water resources infrastructure, and public and private properties are collectively known as mass wasting events and include: landslides, rockslides

Mastering Crisis Management in Construction

Written by: Megan Beam, Editor, CBO Magazine & Digital Media | In a landscape where some degree of crisis is an inevitability, the construction industry stands at the forefront: The stakes are high and the margin for error is slim. From equipment collapses to onsite accidents, the potential for crises looms large. In this interview, Heather Ripley, CEO of Ripley PR and expert in crisis management, sheds light on the significance of preparing a plan for business leaders.

Maximizing Efficiency and Minimizing Risk: The Most Profitable and Expedient Construction Management Methodologies

Written by: Mithul Yeldandi, PMP, CCM, Director of Operations, Davila Construction, Inc. | Construction projects are complex endeavors that require careful planning, organization, and execution. The choice of construction management methodology significantly influences project outcomes, including profitability and completion time.

Navigating Construction Risks With the Go-no-go Process

Written by: Benjamin Holicky, Managing Director of Construction Bond, The Hartford | Go-No-Go gives leaders and staff a customized framework to identify and document potential risks before greenlighting any project. Read the rest of this article to see four major considerations that can help leaders design their process.

No Matter The Project Location, A Robust Safety, Storm And Disaster Readiness Plan Is A Must

Written by: Lisa Kopochiniski, Freelance Writer, Editor, Project Manager, and Content Marketer | Just ask anyone in the construction industry, and they’ll tell you that Mother Nature has her own ideas. This is why disaster preparedness is more vital than ever especially if you live and work in an area prone to hurricanes, floods and flash floods.

Owner's Project Risk: The Contractor Billing Problem

Written by: Shanthi Rajan, Founder and CEO, Linarc | Nearly eight in 10 trade partners reported work delays or stoppages in the past year due to delayed payments. Not the weather. Not labor shortages. Delayed payments. For owners and construction managers, that number belongs on a project risk register, not a contractor's problem list.

Perspectives of a Claims Analyst: What the Pandemic Taught Us

Written by: John D’Adamo, CCM, Managing Director, MBP, and Svetlana Lyasko, Senior Project Manager, MBP | Many of us are fatigued with COVID-19-related content, but we thought it was important for us, as claims analysts, to reflect on what the pandemic has taught us about construction claims and to acknowledge that we are still learning from this event that disrupted our industry.

Preparing for Extreme Weather: Insurance Considerations for Contractors

Written by: Matthew Summers, Head of Construction, Newfront | At this time of year, contractors must prepare for the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Heatwaves, heavy rainfall, hurricanes, and other weather phenomena can pose significant risks to construction projects, impacting timelines, safety, and financial stability. To mitigate these risks, it's crucial for contractors to review and adjust their insurance coverage. Construction company owners, accountants, and financial leaders also need to ensure their operations are adequately protected against extreme

Protect Projects From Higher Repair Costs and Property Damage

Written by: Michael Teng, Assistant Vice President of Regional Products and Pricing, Sentry Insurance | Every aspect of a jobsite costs more today, from materials and labor to tools and equipment. As industry leaders gauge economic pressures, it’s clear businesses must manage their costs - and financial risks in 2024. It’s a year where insurance and safety should take priority. Here are economic trends to monitor, and insurance strategies to help protect this year’s bottom line.

Public-Private Partnership Projects - What, Why & How Is Risk Allocated

Written by: Misbah Uddin and James G. Zack, Jr., CCM, PMP | P3 projects are not new, nor was this project delivery method created in the U.S. It has been reported that the first “concession” project was granted in 1782 to Perrier in France.

Repricing Risk: How Inflation And Tariffs Are Reshaping Construction Insurance

Written by: Tyler Ahrenold, Head of Construction and Inland Marine, MSIG USA | Inflation isn’t just raising prices on materials and labor — it’s changing how risk is priced. For contractors, higher costs show up as tighter margins and delayed starts. For underwriters, they show up as a new exposure curve that’s harder to predict and more expensive to insure. What once was a straightforward pricing exercise based on historical loss data and replacement cost has become a constant recalibration of volatility, supply-chain uncertainty, and claim severity.

Risk Management in Large and Complex Civil Infrastructure Projects: DC Clean Rivers Project

Written by: Stephen D. Lisse, P.E., DC Clean Rivers Project Commercial Manager, McKissack and McKissack, Inc. | Risk management is essential for any organization designing and constructing complex multi-million dollar civil infrastructure projects. The DC Clean Rivers Project risk management plan uses the risk register to identify, track, and manage risks.

Round Table: SIFs, Data Key to Jobsite Hazard Detection

Written by: Zachary Phillips, Editor, Construction Dive | Construction is a hazard-filled industry. But it is also one contractors, start-ups, and tech firms continuously seek to improve by providing new practices or technologies. As part of Construction Safety Week 2023 last month, industry experts were asked to chime in on the industry’s state of safety, both the good and the not so good.

Safeguarding History: Fire Risks in Renovating Historic Buildings

Written by: Birgitte Messerschmidt, Director of Research, NFPA | The renovation of historic and unique buildings is both a labor of love and a huge responsibility. Rich in stories and architectural beauty, these structures link communities to their past. However, giving new life to these iconic buildings through renovation projects can place them in jeopardy, as fire-related risks remain a significant challenge.

Safety Culture — Worker Participation in the Safety Management System (SMS)

Written by: Craig Martin, Former President and CEO, Jacobs | This Executive Insight explores the importance of including worker participation and involvement in defining the elements of the safety management system (SMS) and making necessary adjustments. Worker participation enhances safety culture, improves hazard identification, and increases overall safety performance.

Six Ways to Demonstrate a Commitment to Safety

Written by: Greg Kershaw, Director of Brand Experience and Engagement WD-40 Company | Construction work is no easy task. Not only can the physical work challenge both the body and mind, but jobsites are often filled with hazards that can be exacerbated when crews work long hours under tight deadlines and with limited workers.

Six Ways to Put the Brakes on Social Inflation

Written by: Julie Zando-Dennis, Assistant Vice President and Senior Claims Manager, Berkley Alliance Managers | Construction contractors, their brokers and agents, and their insurance providers can work together to help curb the rising costs caused by social inflation to the construction industry. Social inflation is a term used by the insurance industry to explain how and why the cost of insurer claims rise faster than the economy’s general inflation rate.

Strategies to Manage or Mitigate Impact of Risks During Project Development & Delivery

Written by: Philios Angelides, P.E., President, The Angelides Group, LLC | Risk is defined as a situation, event, or condition that, when it occurs, brings exposure to danger, harm, loss, or inability to achieve one’s objectives.

Taking the Complexity Out of Quantitative Risk Assessment

Written by: Rick Deans, Executive Vice President of Industry Engagement, InEight | When thinking about your latest capital project, many questions naturally arise. What will each of these cost in terms of schedule and budget impact? Experts would argue that the process of Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) exists to help identify, mitigate, and account for such risks.

Talking Quality: Best Practices for QA/QC in Construction and in Space

Written by: Joseph Pooler, Content Developer, Hill International, Inc. | In industries such as construction, there is a strong correlation between quality and end-user safety. Construction project teams leverage quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) processes to deliver buildings and infrastructure that function as designed and pose no undue safety risk to the people who use them.

The Construction Industry Is More Vulnerable Than Ever to Cyber Attacks

Written by: Hannah Hoeflinger, National Cyber Risk Operations Leader, and Dan Hanson, Senior Vice President, both with Marsh McLennan Agency | Over the past decade, the construction industry has become more reliant on technology, in particular to help manage a widely distributed workforce. Using laptops, tablets, and smartphones as a digital network, along with Wi-Fi use at field offices, home offices, and elsewhere have potentially opened the door to more cyber attacks.

The Heat Is On: Construction and Global Warming

Written by: Christopher Durso, Editor-in-Chief, Construction Executive | Every year, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) team up to assess global temperatures and climate trends.One of the results of these developments is the “urban heat island effect” - a phenomenon that directly affects construction professionals working in heavily built-up and populated areas during warmer months.

The Ongoing Risk of Phishing in the Construction Industry

Written by: Andrew Parks, Managing Security Consultant, FoxPointe Solutions, and Marie Gavin, Manager, The Bonadio Group | The construction industry is continually assessing and adapting technology solutions in order to make better decisions, improve jobsite security, increase productivity, and reduce risk. With this increased reliance on technology comes the inevitable attention of malicious third-party actors.

The Risks of Minimum Insurance Coverage for Contractors

Written by: Corey Sheridan, Chief Operating Officer, Affordable Contractors Insurance | Managing costs in the construction industry is a constant challenge. As insurance costs rise, many contractors opt for the minimum insurance coverage needed to meet contractual requirements and maintain their cash flow. This strategy might offer short-term financial relief, but it can expose contractors to significant risks and potential financial ruin if unexpected events occur.

Three Ways Construction Risk Assessment Empowers Your Teams

Written by: InEight Blog Editors | Construction project risk is the elephant in the room; everyone knows it’s there but hesitates to acknowledge it because its focus is typically on what can go wrong — a subject not only hard to predict but also uncomfortable to deal with. While we know preventing all adverse risks is impossible, proactively reducing their occurrences and severity can make dealing with them much more manageable. That’s why construction risk assessment is so valuable.

Top Three Contractor Risks and How to Reduce Your Exposure

Written by: Laura Penhale, Assistant Vice President of Surety Home Office Underwriting at IAT Insurance Group, and Tom Postol, Senior Vice President of Property and Inland Marine at IAT Insurance Group | Notwithstanding COVID-19’s onset in 2020, construction activity has been, and continues to be, robust. Still, there is reason to be cautious. Because some construction projects can take months or even years to complete, the construction industry has likely not yet felt the full impact of the pandemic and its attendant economic challenges.

Trust, Transparency, and Velocity Help Reduce Risk

Written by: Andrew Zukoski, CEO and Co-Founder, Join | In today’s world of collaborative delivery methods, traditional risk-management methods are no longer enough. Three interrelated and mutually reinforcing concepts are crucial to effective risk management on today’s collaborative projects: trust, transparency, and high decision-making velocity.

Uncertainty in Large Complex Projects

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, National Academy of Construction Member | Uncertainty in projects is often conflated with risk, and the two terms are used interchangeably. All too often uncertainty is then treated in the same way as risk, or worse ignored. In large complex projects, large pools may exist that are associated with project complexity.

Uncertainty in Large Complex Projects

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, National Academy of Construction member | Uncertainty in projects is often conflated with risk, and the two terms are used interchangeably. This article looks at uncertainty in projects and contrasts it with risk, identifies sources of uncertainty in projects, and outlines strategies for managing project uncertainty.

Understanding and Combatting the Silent Threat of Building Corrosion

Written by: Rich Lynch, Senior Global Vice President, MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions | Metal, including steel, aluminum and iron, serves as a vital component of buildings and infrastructure. It provides the functional integrity required for stability and safety, keeping our facilities standing tall and strong for generations. Unfortunately, if not properly treated, metal is highly susceptible to the risk of corrosion, which can compromise the safety and strength of a building if not addressed - causing structural damage, safety risks, financial losses, and more.

Understanding Safety Culture in the Construction Industry

Written by: Emmitt Nelson, Co-Founder, Zero Injury Institute | The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rates the construction industry as one of the most hazardous to its workers. What the industry needs is a commitment to zero injuries and accidents and the development of a safety culture that believes “all accidents can be prevented.”

Where's the Fire?

Written by: John Heinen, Principal Fire Investigator, Compass Fire Investigations and Consulting | Fire safety on construction sites is at a crossroads. It’s time for an approach based on collaboration, education, and training - and powered by wireless digital solutions.

Why Construction Injuries Persist Despite Safety Awareness

Written by: Carla Woodard, Senior Vice President of Claims, Pie Insurance | In the construction industry, safety isn’t just a box to check. Whether you’re leading a crew of 20 or working solo, safety is a commitment, a core value, and a promise made to every person who steps onto a jobsite. When someone gets injured, it impacts more than productivity. It affects real people, their families, and the long-term health of a business.

Why Investing in Risk Management is Essential in Construction

Written by: Paul Aldrich, Director of Safety, Group Management Services | Risk management has emerged as a vital pillar for success in the unpredictable world of construction. With countless hazards and uncertainties, companies must navigate these threats quickly and effectively. It’s already difficult to stay safe on construction jobsites, but with tight deadlines, budget constraints, and lack of training, the risk only increases.

Why Risk Management is Really Confidence Management

Written by: Nate St. John, Product Director for Scheduling & Risk Management, InEight | The days leading up to the signing of a construction agreement are nothing short of intense. Technically speaking, today’s best risk assessment tools are built upon well-established statistical principals and utilize helpful algorithms to report out the probability of a planned outcome. In essence, confidence that your project will actually yield a planned result.

Why Use Numerical Modeling to Make Dam Safety Risk Management Decisions?

Written by: Rafael Prieto, Ph.D., PE, Chief Geotechnical Engineer, Gannett Fleming | Numerical modeling is the computer simulation of the anticipated behavior of infrastructure. It is a valuable tool for identifying and managing risk, as it may warn of undesired scenarios long before they materialize. Offering a wide range of possibilities and benefits, numerical modeling can help decision makers predict the expected behavior of a dam, its abutments, or its foundation during and after the application of specific loads, and at a fraction of the time and cost to develop a physical model.

Winter Watch: Rules to Protect Your Jobsite

Written by: Kathy Wells, Editor, Construction Business Owner Magazine & Digital Media | Cold weather concerns and top takeaways from a Travelers’ risk control expert. An inside look at cold-weather risks as construction teams prepare for lower temperatures on the job.

Your Best Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches to Risk Management

Written by: Rick Deans, Executive Vice President of Industry Engagement, InEight | Risk abounds in our everyday life. We make decisions on how we travel, work, socialize, and even eat and sleep based on the perception of risk. Dozens, if not hundreds, of tiny decisions are made when making seemingly mundane decisions. However, when determining whether and how to build a new asset, risk takes on an entire new scale, and risk models range from the macro to the micro.

Your Crisis Communication Guide: Anticipating Construction Plans to Hit Unexpected Obstacles

Written by: Anne Lackey, Cofounder, HireSmart Virtual Employees | Crafting a crisis communication plan shouldn't happen in adrenaline-filled moments when timelines are washing away. The time for planning is during those quiet moments when clear thinking can build a framework for handling whatever challenges arise.

Risk Management, Workforce/Productivity/Performance

Minimizing Workforce-Related Risks On Your Construction Projects

Written by: Michel Richer, Content Marketing Manager, Bridgit | The construction industry can be unpredictable and tremendously complex. Mismanagement and miscalculation can result in compromised work quality and cost companies time and money. Among all the aspects of project management, workforce risk management remains one of the most vital.

Minimizing Workforce-Related Risks On Your Construction Projects

Role of the CM

CM Agency Services: An Alternative Solution for Construction Owners’ Staffing Challenges

Written by: James Peck, PE, CCM, Executive Vice President, Client Solutions, MBP | Owners today are managing large, complex programs that span multiple years, funding sources, and delivery methods. Getting the right expertise and resources in place is critical, and for many years, owners have turned to outside staffing firms to fill their gaps. However, this staff augmentation approach has become more challenging recently because of labor shortages, hiring freezes, and federal policy restrictions.

Federal Agencies Are Turning To CM Agency: Here’s Why

Written by: James Peck, PE, CCM, Executive Vice President, MBP | Federal agencies are under increasing pressure to deliver complex capital programs in a challenging environment. Projects are larger, more visible, and often tied to critical missions. At the same time, agencies are navigating staffing constraints, evolving procurement requirements, and heightened expectations for project delivery speed and cost.

Fellows’ Perspective: Part 9 – How The 2010s Made CMAA A Defining Force In The CM Industry

Written by: CMAA College of Fellows Communications Committee | What can today’s construction management leaders learn from the decade when CMAA hit its stride? In the 2010s, the CCM credential moved from “nice to have” to a contract preference for major agencies, new certifications opened doors for emerging professionals, and strategic partnerships — plus ABET accreditation criteria — helped legitimize construction management in both industry and academia.

Safety

Strategies for Achieving a Low Experience Modification Rate

Written by: Dan Barry, Vice President of Operations, Schimenti Construction | While we typically think of an experience modification rate (EMR) as a data-driven calculation used to determine an insurance premium for construction companies, it takes a very high-touch, personal approach to successfully keep that score low. While eliminating jobsite injuries is virtually impossible, many strategies can be implemented to establish a culture of safety and help lower your EMR.

10 Foolproof Ways to Improve Jobsite Safety

Written by: John Lack, Construction Consultant, Acuity | Completing jobs on time and to standard requires a healthy workforce, which also leads to a healthy bottom line. This article shares 10 actions that can help you create a safer business, improve jobsite safety, and mitigate on-the-job accidents.

12 Types of Technology that Can Make Jobsites Safer

Written by: Lena Kenny, Safety Manager, JT Magen & Co. | Innovating construction safety involves implementing new ideas, technologies, processes, and practices to reduce risks, prevent accidents, and promote a culture of safety. It is important to implement many steps to innovate our construction safety, including everything from risk assessment and management to training and education.

85 Decibels or Higher

Written by: Jordan Graustark, Physician Assistant, Concentra | Safety interventions for the prevention of construction injuries often involve mitigating risks associated with slips, trips, falls, and machinery incidents. But not all serious construction injuries are physical in nature. One predominant injury that is more insidious and just as detrimental to the health and wellbeing of construction site employees is associated with loud noises.

Assessing Your Company’s Safety Strategies

Written by: Bob Dietzel, Co-founder and Principal, KMRD Partners, Inc. | Many employers in the construction industry have workplace safety committees, in which representatives from various departments meet monthly to discuss safety issues, hazards, and best practices. The purpose of these monthly meetings is to promote a culture of safety and, ultimately, reduce the frequency and severity of jobsite injuries.

Audits and Surveys Improve Your Safety System Management

Written by: Deborah Grubbe, Owner and President, Operations and Safety Solutions, LLC | This article explores the importance of a robust audit processes for continuous improvement in safety systems. Audits, from formal checks to informal inspections, serve different purposes and must align with business needs. Ignoring audit recommendations can expose a company to significant risks, while effective audit protocols are crucial for thorough assessments.

Construction Safety Campaign: Common Accidents and Toolbox Safety Tips

Written by: Blog Editors at Shulman & Hill Law Firm | From falling equipment to collapsing buildings, construction sites are some of the most hazardous workplaces out there. Explore some of the most common injuries and hazards involved in construction site accidents and review safety precautions construction workers, managers, and site owners can take to lower the risk of accidents and injuries on the job.

Construction Safety Culture Trends of 2025

Written by: Clayton Jones, Regional Safety Manager, McCarthy Building Companies | In 2025, construction safety is no longer treated as a regulatory box to check. It is woven into the daily operations, culture, and long-term strategy of successful construction companies. Leading firms are demonstrating that safety in the construction industry goes well beyond personal protective equipment and general safety practices.

Construction Site Safety Staffing Process

Written by Jim Porter, a member of the National Academy of Construction | Injuries and safety incidents negatively impact all aspects of a project. Ask anyone who has had an injury or safety incident on one of their projects. Injuries and safety incidents negatively impact all stakeholders and aspects of a project and significantly increase the potential for project quality, cost, and schedule issues.

Effective Fall Protection Methods for Dynamic Jobsites

Written by: Philip Jacklin, Continuing Education Program Manager, Diversified Fall Protection | Every year, the same hazard reigns supreme as the leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry: falls from heights. Managing the risk of falls on a jobsite is easier said than done. From one day to the next, a construction site can look completely different, and the construction process makes it difficult for workers to access consistent fall protection anchorage locations. This article will offer some methods to provide fall protection at any point in the construction

Effective Strategies for Reinforcing Safety Into Evolving Design Standards

Written by: Ethan Harris, Senior Safety Manager, Brinkmann Constructors | From design-build condos to built-to-suit warehouses, one factor remains the highest priority regardless of the project type — the approach to upholding the highest level of safety. Safety exists as a core value across all areas of the construction industry, but the increased risk of serious injuries or fatalities persists. Considering this risk, it’s important for every team member —from trade partners to superintendents — to take responsibility for safety compliance.

Establishing Who’s Who in Your Fall Protection Program

Written by: Philip Jacklin, Continuing Education Program Manager, Diversified Fall Protection | The importance of fall protection training cannot be understated. Falls are a leading cause of injury and death for construction and general industry workers. Nearly two to three workers die every day from falling from heights, and most of those deaths occur at a height of 20 feet or less. Establishing fall protection programs with proactive measures and effective training can help prevent injury and save lives.

Exploring Modern Solutions That Can Increase Worker Safety

Written by: Troy Dahlin, Vice President, Heavy Construction Segment, Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon | In construction today, the most important part of the job isn’t the project plans or even the equipment used. It’s the ability of business owners to keep their team members safe. It might seem contrarian, but companies must consider how they use new solutions to ensure safety in the context of the ongoing conversation about using technology such as drones, reality capture, and machine control on jobsites.

Exploring PPE Equality

Written by: Alex Headley, Associate Editor, Construction Business Owner Magazine | The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has stated that female construction workers face specific health and safety issues on the jobsite that may require different personal protective equipment (PPE), gear and apparel than men in the industry require. Because of this, OSHA best practices recommend that, in addition to compliance with the OSHA regulations, whenever employers are required to purchase PPE, they should purchase these items in size ranges that are also suitable for women.

Four Ways to Build a Culture of Safety

Written by: Brandi Ford, Vice President, ISN | Nearly 80% of construction jobs eliminated during the pandemic have returned, and employers are scrambling to fill open positions. But in terms of safety, expediting the hiring process may do more harm than good. Despite the urgency to fill the employment gap, safety needs to remain at the core of the hiring and onboarding process.

How Early Planning and Smart Tools Can Change Construction Safety

Written by: Ned Brown, Director of Safety, Gray Construction | Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in the world. Crews work at high heights, operate heavy machinery, and are exposed to harmful chemicals. That's why it's important to stay alert and take safety seriously from the start of a project.

How Mobile Tools Are Capturing Safety Data On Jobsites

Written by: Michael Bruns, CEO, Novara | Traditionally, construction safety management is “reactive compliance” — reporting on an incident, filling out a form on paper or electronically, taking a picture, and filing it away for compliance purposes. Safety management is shifting from reactive to proactive. Forward-thinking companies are using data and leading indicators to identify risks before incidents happen, not just document injuries after the fact.

How Safety Training Can Improve Employee Engagement and Retention

Written by: Rebecca Williams, Controller, Health and Safety, Aerotek | One effective method to bolster engagement on your construction site is through comprehensive and thoughtful safety training initiatives. Safety training not only helps workers feel valued, but also ensure their wellbeing and safety, fostering a culture of trust and commitment within the workplace.

How Technology is Building a Safer Construction Environment

Written by: Josh Kanner, Senior Director of Product and Strategy, Oracle | A new era of artificial intelligence and machine learning is transforming how we perceive and manage workplace safety.

How to Build a Strong Safety Program

Written by: James Ramsey, National Safety Director, Faith Technologies, Inc. | Team member safety is on the minds of organization leaders each day. Successful companies know the importance of keeping their teams safe, no matter the type of work they do or the conditions in which they do them. Responsible analyses of safety incidents, along with careful tracking and measurement of safety indicators, are two critical parts of a strong safety program.

How to Create a Zero-Injury Culture

Written by: Emmitt Nelson, Founder, Nelson Consulting, Inc., and Member, National Academy of Construction | A safety program that yields a zero-injury result is composed of three distinct parts: content, process, and a culture.

How to Help Injured Workers Return to Form

Written by: Carmen Capoccia, Associate Editor of Construction Business Owner Magazine & Digital Media | In addition to filling open positions, construction business owners grapple with another dilemma — injured employees missing work. The construction industry is notably high-risk; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction has the second-highest occupational fatality rate. A focus on holistic recovery and ways this approach can benefit your workforce can be important.

How to Protect Productivity by Prioritizing Safety

Written by: Scott Smith, Vice President, Director of Safety Management Services, Selective Insurance | Recent market developments and research point to a need for more effective safety training for construction workers. Here are recommendations to help identify the employees who will benefit most from focused training, the main topics you should cover, and some approaches to imparting training that sticks.

How to Select the Most Effective PPE for Your Construction Team

Written by: Nick Warrick, Sales Manager, All Seasons Uniforms | Construction workers put themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis — whether they’re working high above the ground, handling hazardous materials like asbestos or lead-based paint, or operating heavy machinery. For these courageous individuals, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is a crucial safety measure to protect workers and reduce onsite accidents and injuries.

How to Ward Off Workplace Hearing Loss

Written by: Rick Pedley, President and CEO, PK Safety | The average construction worker may encounter any number of loud noises during a shift, but just how loud is too loud? Loud noises may be commonplace in the construction industry, but business owners and managers are responsible for protecting workers from sounds that could damage their hearing.

How Wildfire-Resilient Construction Can Shape Los Angeles’ Future

Written by: Don Jacob, Chief Innovation Officer, Bluebeam | As a software company providing solutions for customers in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), we have a responsibility to create fire-resilient structures and communities that can withstand the next inevitable wildfire.

Integrating Security Into Architectural Design

Written by: Paula Balmori, Global Director of Security Design and Integration, Brivo | A crucial paradigm shift needs to occur in the field of architecture. The analogy is simple yet profound - just as plumbing and power are integral aspects of building design, security needs to hold a similar position. In an evolving world where threats are becoming more complex, retrofitting security measures is no longer a feasible solution. It’s time to prioritize security from the outset.

Is A Zero-Injury Culture In Construction A Pipe Dream?

Written by: Evelyn Long, Founder, Editor-in-Chief, Renovated | The construction industry is striving to set new standards for workplace safety. Building professionals aim for a zero-injury culture as project complexity and workforce demands increase. Is this goal attainable? While the barriers are tall, nonresidential contractors try to make it happen. Here is a guide examining the state of safety in construction and the opportunities for industry leaders.

Kindness: The Risk Management, Mental Health, and Suicide Prevention Strategy We’ve Been Ignoring

Written by: Dr. Colleen Saringer, Ph.D., Founder, Dr. Colleen Saringer Speaks | At the age of 13, construction taught me a lesson: work/the workplace can quietly unravel a life. One evening my mother walked into our home after a long day at the sheet metal business she and my dad had been building. She wasn’t just carrying her own work belongings, she had my dad’s briefcase, his uneaten lunch, and jacket. After she set everything down, she looked at me and said, “Your dad planned to take his life today. But instead, he drove himself to the hospital. He had a nervous breakdown.”

Mitigating Struck-By Incidents on the Jobsite

Written by: Rob Dahl, Vice President of Construction Risk and Safety, Holmes Murphy Construction | According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are roughly 150,000 injuries each year on construction sites. Many of these injuries can be avoided through more effective planning, communication, and training.

Perfecting the Equipment Winter Walk-Around

Written by: Bryan Chad Porter, Senior Product Specialist, Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas | Whether or not you continue operating through the winter months, winterizing your construction equipment is crucial for protecting your investment in those machines and the future business they represent. Use the following as a checklist for your equipment walk-arounds this winter.

Preventing Worker Injury: What Construction Managers Can Do

Written by: Rose Morrison, Freelance Writer | Safety isn’t an option but an obligation. You’re responsible for protecting your contractors and ensuring they go home to their families unscathed. While you can’t drive down the rate of occupational accidents to zero, you have the power to moderate the risk using some strategies. Here are some ways to implement this non-negotiable onsite successfully.

Proper Fit, Safer Sites: Why Size-inclusive PPE Is Essential For Today’s Construction Workforce

Written by: Karyn deLeon, President and CEO, Peregrine Solutions, Inc. | Investments are transforming into large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects across the U.S., and contractors are preparing for a new phase of sustained building activity. This momentum brings opportunity, but also intensifies long-standing workforce pressures that the industry must address to remain competitive.

Properly Preparing Your First-Year Employees for Success on the Jobsite

Written by: Randy Dombrowski, Safety Services Manager, Sentry Insurance | To keep pace with demand, contractors may need to hire 500,000 more workers this year above their normal pace of hiring, according to Associated Builders and Contractors. This at a time when many businesses still struggle to hire skilled workers. See what the current labor market means for jobsite safety and what you can do to keep your employees and business thriving.

Safety Culture - Human Performance Principles

Written by David O’Connor, National Academy of Construction | Safety is underpinned by both good safety management systems and the creation of a positive safety culture. A significant part of safety, however, comes down to the performance of people. This article describes a set of safety leadership principles that can be used to reinforce these behaviors.

Safety Culture - Improving Construction Profitability

Written by: Ken Arnold, Founder and CEO, Project Engineering and Project Management Company | This article discusses the role of a strong safety culture in improving profitability in construction. Profitability depends to a large extent on “productivity,” the efficiency and effectiveness with which resources are utilized to complete projects.

Safety Isn’t A Cost. It’s One Of Construction’s Biggest Profit Drivers.

Written by: Padraig Reilly, Founder and CEO, Boxcore | Construction has a margin problem. Despite delivering some of the world’s most complex projects, many contractors continue to operate on thin margins while facing rising labor costs, increasing insurance premiums, and growing regulatory requirements. At the same time, the industry continues to lag behind many others when it comes to productivity growth.

Stuff That Can Kill You: Contractors Pivot to New Ways of Tracking Jobsite Safety

Written by: Zachary Phillips, Editor, Construction Dive | Construction jobsite death rates have remained stagnant for a decade. Industry mantras have claimed the only acceptable number of injuries and deaths is zero, yet fatalities haven’t budged. Some leading contractors now record and analyze safety data differently. Rather than attempting to negate all jobsite injuries, some have turned their focus to the most severe hazards: the stuff that can kill you.

Teaching Safety To A New Generation Of Construction Workers Amid Labor Shift

Written by: Randy Dombrowski, Director, Safety Services, Sentry Insurance | The construction workforce is changing. Experienced workers are retiring faster than their knowledge is being transferred to the next generation, altering jobsite risk in measurable ways. Approximately 41% of the current construction workforce is projected to retire by 2031.

The New Frontier of Safety in Construction

Written by: Jason Hannold, Head of Construction, Senior Account Manager, Pivot Onsite Innovations | Safety has long been a bedrock of the construction industry, but it still remains a dangerous one with deaths only decreasing by 2.2% from 2020 to 2021, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. In recent years, the definition of safety in construction has evolved to encompass more than personal protective equipment and signage. Safety in construction has begun a major shift to include not just physical health, but mental health as well – and workers are driving this change.

Training Improves Safety and Workforce Turnover and Reduces Costs

Written by: David Clark, Senior Product Marketing Manager, CM Labs | Construction worksite safety violations are costly - not only in terms of OSHA fines, but also in how they impact worker recruitment, turnover, insurance rates, litigation, project over-run penalties, lost contracts, and more.

Transitioning From Hard Hats to Safety Helmets

Written by: Zack Garner, Regional Safety Director, Southern Region, McCarthy Building Cos., Inc. | Over the course of a century, the construction industry has become synonymous with the sight of workers proudly donning brightly hued hard hats. Serving as an iconic representation of the industry itself, these hard hats have come to symbolize a rite of passage for new entrants into the field of construction. However, this traditional jobsite staple is on the brink of transformation as more construction firms across the country are choosing safety helmets as superior alternatives to hard hats.

Trends in Workplace Injuries and Safety in Construction

Written by: Megan Beam, Editor-in-Chief, Construction Business Owner Magazine and Digital Media | As workplace safety remains a critical focus for business owners in the construction industry, Construction Business Owner (CBO) spoke with safety experts to explore emerging trends, safety culture, and actionable strategies for reducing injuries and costs.

Wearable Ways to Work in Extreme Heat

Written by: Clare Epstein, General Manager, Commercial, Vector Solutions | Rising temperatures and high humidity aren’t just uncomfortable for those outside during the summer months: They can cause serious health consequences, including death. While employers are working to find ways to combat the heat, the extreme variability in weather conditions continues to pose threats to employees. Recently, company leaders have turned to new methods and technologies to help their teams stay safe while working both indoors and outdoors.

Why OSHA Standards Shouldn’t Be The High-water Mark For Contractor Safety

Written by: Ken Fulginiti, Trial Lawyer and Founder, Fulginiti Law | Every January, construction companies across the country reset their calendars, their budgets and their goals. New projects break ground. New crews come on board. New schedules promise efficiency, speed and growth. Yet safety rarely gets the same fresh approach. In my work investigating catastrophic construction injuries, I repeatedly hear the same defense after a worker is seriously hurt or killed: The site was Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliant. Inspections passed. The boxes were checked. The

Why Worker Interaction Will Matter More Than Algorithmic Power

Written by: Melvin Keyani, EHS Director, Dornan Engineering | Artificial intelligence is entering construction safety at an accelerating pace. Computer-vision systems now detect missing personal protective equipment (PPE), predictive analytics platforms identify high-risk activities before work begins, and wearable technologies monitor environmental exposure and worker location in real time.

Winterize Your Worksites for Optimal Safety and Productivity

Written by: Rick Pedley, CEO, PK Safety | As winter continues, contractors and construction professionals face a range of challenges that can compromise safety, productivity, and project timelines. This article provides some of the best practices for winterizing your project sites, which will help your operations optimize safety and productivity during the colder months.

Your Order Has Not Arrived

Written by: Scott A. Corrao, President and CEO, Reflective Apparel | Supply-chain delays are often an inconvenience, but can also be an employee safety issue. What can construction business owners do to stay ahead of safety gear supply-chain delays? Consider the following five strategies to help mitigate the impact of high-visibility apparel supply-chain delays to ensure employees have proper safety attire.

Scheduling

A Case Study for Recovery Scheduling in Transportation

Written by: Chris Carson, CCM, PMP, and Noah Jones | When transportation projects fall behind, it can be very difficult to regain the lost time, and even harder without increased costs. This paper walks through the resolution of a schedule recovery need for a transportation project which suffered significant production losses by analyzing the project, identifying specific opportunities for acceleration, hosting a recovery workshop, and implementing the solutions.

Aligning Cost Breakdown Structure With Work Breakdown Structure

Written by: Rick Deans, Executive Vice President of Industry Engagement, InEight | What is the essence of cost and work breakdown structures? When we think of a cost breakdown structure (CBS) we typically think of execution budgets. In many cases, these budgets are summarized from a more detailed project plan and lose the granularity which ties back to specific construction activities.

Economic Headwinds Threaten Construction’s Spring Recovery

Written by: Jen A. Miller, Reporter, Construction Dive | After two years of pandemic-related fits and starts, builders are set for a busy spring. But this spring isn’t all roses and sunshine. Supply chain constraints and rising costs, in some cases exacerbated by pent-up COVID demand, are making sourcing materials and sticking to budgets more difficult.

Five Ways to Effectively Support Your CPM Scheduling Process

Written by: Michael Pink, PSP, CEO and Founder, SmartPM Technologies | The critical path method (CPM) scheduling process is not being optimally deployed within many construction organizations, and some may even say the process is “broken.” Here are five actions organizations can take to empower team members so they better understand and appreciate the CPM scheduling process.

Good Construction Schedule Management = a Partnership Between the Scheduler and Project Manager

Written by: Matthew DeSilver, PE, CCM, MBP Area Manager; Leonard Morgan, CCM, CCP, PSP, MBP Senior Project Manager; and Brian Haskins, CCM, PSP, MBP Project Manager | Most of us can’t function without a good schedule. Juggling many obligations, we often need reminders of where we need to be and when. Construction projects are not that different. We need a well-thought-out CPM schedule to keep a project on task. Over time, we have seen that this collaboration yields great results.

Healthy Schedule, Healthy Project: Four Indicators for Success

Written by: Michael Siburt, PE, CCM, Vice President, Project Controls Services Leader, MBP | Weight, blood pressure, cholesterol – doctors use these values to assess your overall health. Each one represents a key factor that over the years has been confirmed to be a key indicator of a person’s general state of health. Just as we have these data points to assess our health, key schedule metrics can aid in determining if a construction schedule is “healthy,” which is a strong indicator for project success.

How an Automated 5-Step Schedule Analytics Process Can Transform Your Construction Project

Written by: Michael Pink, CEO and Founder, SmartPM Technologies | It’s no secret that construction projects frequently fail to meet desired objectives and timelines. According to McKinsey Global Institute, 77% of megaprojects are 40% or more behind schedule. For key project stakeholders, the primary way to minimize the risks associated with costly overruns, delays, and disputes is to fully understand the most comprehensive, informative, and useful data set in construction: the project schedule.

How Optimizing Capital Projects Early and Often Leads to Better Outcomes

Written by: Niyi Ladipo, CCM, MBP Service Executive, and Tom Orr, PE, MBP Director of Optimization Strategies | Even the most well-intentioned construction projects need to change course along the way, adapting to changing circumstances as they arise. Project controls are essential guideposts for project planning. They allow the project team to identify and mitigate their risks as they establish their time, cost, and quality objectives, and then monitor their progress toward achieving these goals.

How to Analyze WIP Schedules

Written by: Robert S. Mercado, Partner, Marcum LLP | A contractor’s work-in-progress (WIP) schedule is used by the company’s accounting department to vet the trajectory of each construction project. When the WIP schedule is accurate and updated, contractors can foresee and possibly prevent potential issues from occurring.

How to Improve Construction Project Scheduling for Timely Completion

Written by: Evelyn Long, Editor-in-Chief, Renovated Magazine | In construction, every minute wasted translates to expense. That’s why project managers do their best to create the most effective construction project timetable with response plans to avoid downtimes. Your schedule is a critical part of the project. Discover 10 practical ways to improve construction project scheduling.

How to Prevent Construction Project Delays (24 Tips)

Written by: Michelle Philippon, Content Strategist, Dumpsters.com | Though it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid excusable project delays (any delay caused by an unpredictable circumstance outside your control), there are things you can do to prevent inexcusable delays — that is, delays that are legally considered your responsibility or the results of someone you’re responsible for.

Integrating Schedule and Cost for Better Risk Management

Written by: InEight Blog Editors | Schedule and cost. Though they may seem very different, in reality, it’s hard to talk about one without also referencing the other — because what impacts the timeline will have an effect on the budget, and vice versa.

Navigating an Uncertain Market and the Impact on Your Work-In-Progress Schedule

Written by: James Wiedemann, CPA, Director, Assurance Services Division, Marcum LLP, and Alexander Lombardi, Assurance Services Supervisor, Marcum LLP | It has been more than two years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is still no sign of when the world will return to normal. The good news is contractors have the ability to protect themselves against the downsides by adopting best practices in their bidding and billing processes and building certain variables into their contracts.

Seven Controls for Proactive Construction Scheduling

Written by: Michael A. Pink, CEO, SmartPM Technologies | “How do we solve the construction scheduling problem?” It’s a complex question, one that many companies in this industry find themselves discussing without really making progress. Yet tackling this problem is crucial, not just to avoid delays but also to drive profitability and consistency across the board.

The Four Paradigms of Construction Scheduling

Written by: René Morkos, Ph.D., Founder and CEO, ALICE Technologies | Over the last century, the construction industry has undergone significant transformations — largely driven by technological advancements. Project management and scheduling methods have evolved dramatically, shifting away from more rudimentary approaches to meet today’s demand for detail, speed, and efficiency. Let’s take a close look at how far these methods have come — and where the next evolution of construction scheduling optimization will lead the industry.

Top Three Impacts on Your Project's Critical-Path Method Scheduling

Written by: Micheal Pink, Founder and CEO, SmartPM Technologies | Anyone connected to the construction industry understands the importance of critical-path method scheduling. CPM schedules help identify the activities required to complete a project, as well as help determine critical activities that absolutely can’t be delayed.

Understanding Liquidated Damages in Construction

Written by: InEight Blog Editors | Delays in the construction business are common for construction projects. For some projects, excessive setbacks can have a ripple effect downstream, such as increased project costs, incidental damages, missed business opportunities, or a late start for other dependent activities. This is where liquidated damages come in and it’s important to understand what they are, how they are calculated, and what you can do to mitigate their occurrence in the first place.

What Is Construction Planning? Five Steps to the Perfect Process.

Written by: Shubham Gupta, Writer, Software Advice | As a construction manager, you’ve got to be a master at construction project planning to complete projects on time and within budget. Not having a construction project plan in place can lead to costly design and implementation mistakes, even regulatory flaws. But what exactly is construction planning, and what does a successful planning process look like?

What’s a Submittal Register and How Can it be Managed Effectively?

Written by: RedTeam Builders Blog Editors | In both the workplace and personally, there are multiple benefits to being organized. Managing a significant construction project requires teams to be on the same page. A submittal register helps keep teams organized and on the same page. Although managing the submittal register effectively is challenging, it's a must, as it improves work accuracy and helps progress the project.

You Can’t Fix What You Can’t See

Written by: Michael A. Pink, CEO, SmartPM Technologies | Having access to up-to-date schedule data provides a clear picture of project progress. Without it, construction businesses risk operating in the dark, making it difficult to manage projects proactively and avoid the pitfalls of delay and disruption. After all, you can’t fix what you can’t see.

Standards of Practice

Cultivating Company Culture Committed to Safety, Mentorship, and Education

Written by: David Frazier, CEO and Owner, Hardaway Construction | The construction industry is aging. Valuing the significance of promoting a culture that enhances safety, mentorship, and educational opportunities is essential to recruiting and retaining top talent to keep the industry thriving. Today’s leaders must be dedicated to listening to employees’ voices to shape the construction industry, as future leaders will be formed by a culture committed to employees’ mental and physical health, safety, professional growth, and overall workplace culture.

DEIB | What’s Next? A Peek into the Future

Written by: Dennis J. Milsten, CCM, Director of Federal Programs, SIRIS | The next phase of DEIB efforts involves workshops, panels, and networking events centered on practical application. The focus is shifting from why DEIB is important to how to create an environment where everyone can grow and thrive. These initiatives aim to provide a variety of solutions to real-world problems, helping participants navigate the principles of DEIB in tangible ways.

Five Tips for Obtaining Timely Project Permits and Approvals

Written by: Shannon McNeill, Principal Environmental Planner, Gannett Fleming | Over the past two decades, I have been fortunate to participate in the planning of several large-scale infrastructure programs, from renewable energy to new major transit systems. Having worked for both a regulatory agency and as a consultant, I have seen all facets of infrastructure projects from start to finish. Based on this experience, I am often asked, “What is one of the most challenging aspects of large infrastructure projects?” My response is always the same: permits and approvals.

The Punchlist Is Too Late: Why Final Quality Is Decided On Day One

Written by: Rajvee Shah, Project Manager, New Wave Design and Contracting Corp. | In construction management, quality control is often treated as a final act. The punchlist arrives near the end of a project, items are identified, corrections are made, and the project closes. For many teams, this feels like the moment quality is being managed. It is not.

Think Like an Owner:Elevating Construction Management Decisions To Real Business Value

Written by: Christian Blanco, PE, CCM, and Ibrahim Odeh, Ph.D., both of Columbia University. This paper proposes an interpretive elevation of the CMAA Construction Management Standards of Practice as a governance architecture for owner-level exposure stewardship in public airport capital programs.

Sustainability

ABC Campus Center / ABC Building Project

CMAA Sustainability Project Spotlight submitted by: Jeffrey Bowling, AECOM, Program Manager | This Sustainability Project Spotlight focuses on the The ABC Campus Center for the Kern Community College District (KCCD) in Bakersfield, CA. The Kern Community College District (KCCD) – Bakersfield College (BC) ABC Campus Center project stands out for its multifaceted approach to sustainability, incorporating several innovative features that collectively contribute to its environmental and social value.

A Sector-Wide Analysis of Construction Disputes

Written by: Roy Cooper, PE; David Lee; and Joe Seibold, PE, FCMAA, all of Arcadis | The construction industry is at a pivotal point of transformation, driven by shared goals and challenges across the environmental, energy, industrial manufacturing, and technology sectors. Despite their different objectives, these sectors are united by common themes: the pursuit of innovation, sustainability, and resilience in a rapidly changing world.

Adopting a Regenerative Design Mindset

Written by: HDR Insights Blog Editors | To help address the current climate emergency, a new way of thinking across the entire architecture, engineering, and construction industry is imperative. Part of the solution will require a holistic approach to design, one in which rather than doing less harm, design can positively contribute through regeneration. How do we adopt a regenerative design mindset and why is it important? HDR asked some of their leaders and here’s what they had to say.

Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plans

Written by: CMAA’s PD Sustainability Subcommittee and John M. Palatiello, COFPAES Administrator | The world’s seven warmest years on record have occurred since 2014 and 10 of the warmest years have been since 2005. Resiliency has been a topic the last few years for CMAA’s PD Sustainability Subcommittee. This article includes a summary of the Biden Administration Fact Sheet on “Agency Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plans from Across Federal Government."

Climate Change and the Role of Program and Project Managers

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, National Academy of Construction Member | An essential question is: What are the roles and responsibilities that project and program managers have with respect to global climate change? Outlining some challenges for program managers regarding climate change will provide direction and insight as to where the efforts are moving.

CMAA Sustainability Project Spotlight: Career Pathways Phase 2

This Sustainability Project Spotlight focuses on the San Bernardino Community College District Career Pathways Phase 2 project. This project will deliver modern buildings with flexible laboratories, collaborative spaces for student-faculty interaction, supplemental instruction areas, and offices tailored to the needs of the college's Allied Health and Aeronautics and welding disciplines.

CMAA Sustainability Project Spotlight: Sterling Natural Resource Center

This Sustainability Project Spotlight focuses on the Sterling Natural Resource Center (SNRC). Located in a disadvantaged urban community, this cutting-edge wastewater recycling facility is designed to enhance water resilience and support regional sustainability. This project features innovative technologies like membrane bioreactors to treat up to 8 million gallons per day of wastewater for groundwater replenishment. Its design integrates sustainable features that align with LEED Silver criteria and includes onsite renewable energy generation, reducing both environmental impact and operational

Creating Sustainable Infrastructure for Better Climate Resiliency

Written by: Jeff Link, Journalist | Around the world, infrastructure is failing. From crumbling dams and bridges to fractured railways and tunnels, many infrastructure systems originally created for the population and climate of the mid-20th century are way past their prime. There is a critical need to update infrastructure systems sustainably, accounting for the impacts of climate.

Designing For A Building's Entire Life: Why AEC Professionals Must Confront Invisible Obsolescence

Written by: Trevor Vick, CEO, UMIP, Inc. | Architects, engineers, and contractors have always operated with a dual obligation: deliver a building that meets code on day one, and design for longevity. The first obligation is well-understood. The second is becoming considerably more complicated. A new class of building deficiency is emerging across the commercial real estate market, one that is not visible at project closeout, does not show up on a punchlist, and cannot be resolved through a warranty claim. It is the deficiency of invisible obsolescence.

ESG in Construction

Written by the CMAA Sustainability Subcommittee: The construction management industry is at a critical juncture where integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors is imperative for sustained growth and long-term value creation. Construction firms are uniquely positioned to drive significant positive impact with a global focus on climate change action, enhancing social equity, and ensuring robust governance. This white paper shares facts you need to know about ESG programs.

Examining Construction’s Power Alternatives

Written by: Marcia Doyle, Contributing Writer, Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) | At the center of any construction alternative power discussion is diesel. Diesel remains the go-to power on jobsites. But with global initiatives underway to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, it’s up to construction industry manufacturers to find ways to lessen diesel’s carbon impact.

Expediting the Infrastructure Environmental Review Process

Written by: Diane Nulton, Senior Environmental Project Manager, HDR, and Taylor Horne, Senior Transportation Environmental and Planning Lead, HDR | The U.S. environmental review process can be one of the most time-consuming parts of planning for a major infrastructure project. While important for safeguarding our communities and their future, the process can also be protracted and duplicative. Streamlining this process has been the focus of numerous efforts.

Four Considerations for Implementing Sustainable Elevator Design

Written by: Tony Defrancesco, Vice President & Practice Director, Vertical Transportation, Gannett Fleming | Elevators might take up little space in buildings. Still, they play a significant role in a building’s energy consumption and can benefit from implementing more efficient and cost-effective systems.

Four Digital Transformation Outcomes Beneficial for Environmental Compliance

Written by: Luke Jacobs, CEO and Co-Founder, Encamp | The latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show nonresidential construction work spending up nearly 12% compared to the previous year. As this spending continues to rise, so could the number of projects, broadening the scope of inspections needed and requirements in place to ensure environmental compliance. To minimize obstacles, avoid project delays, and maintain sites’ environmental compliance, the EHS sector of construction must undergo a digital transformation.

Four Ways to Ensure Your Next Green Building Project Makes a Real Difference

Written by: Sander Van de Rijdt, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, PlanRadar | When it comes to green building, many people think about incorporating energy-efficient features such as effective insulation and glazing, adding eco-friendly lighting, or using recycled or repurposed materials. All of those are important, but it’s also important to step back and think about the construction process itself. Above all, it’s vital to find new ways to leverage digitization and new technologies to make our work more sustainable across the entire building life cycle.

Green Building Technology: Transforming Construction for a Sustainable Future

Written by: Delaney Rebernick, Independent Editorial and Communications Consultant | The goal of green building is to produce structures that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout their entire lifecycle. The benefits are myriad and massive, from bigger cost savings and smaller carbon footprints to healthier, more enticing environments for people, flora, and fauna.

Green Strategies: Nurturing Sustainable Environments

Written by: Mohamed Faizan Malek, Construction/Project Management Postgraduate Student | Embracing sustainability as a fundamental principle is imperative for fostering a more promising future. The construction industry, recognized as a significant contributor to global pollution and waste, necessitates a paradigm shift toward sustainable practices. Green buildings, characterized by their commitment to sustainable design, construction, and operations, play a pivotal role in mitigating the adverse impacts associated with traditional construction methods.

Healthier Buildings, Healthier Planet: Climate Legislation and Our Indoor Environment

Written by: William Curran, PE, Mechanical Technical Manager, Gannett Fleming, and Huzefa Irfani, AIA, Director of Architecture, Gannett Fleming | Buildings account for 75% of U.S. electricity consumption and 40% of energy overall, which contributes to 35% of greenhouse gas emissions. Considering the millions of buildings throughout the U.S. and the energy it takes to keep them ready for occupancy, it’s easy to see why buildings are the focus of legislation aimed at improving their efficiency.

How Construction Managers Are Becoming Sustainability Superheroes

Written by: Rose Morrison, Freelance Writer | The construction industry has been an environmentally destructive force. It’s a significant greenhouse gas emitter and a notorious soil, air, water, and sound polluter. Construction professionals must take meaningful steps toward sustainability to mitigate the worst effects of global warming and contribute to climate resilience.

How Construction Tech Can Help Infrastructure Projects Go Green

Written by: InEight Blog Editors | Climate change has compelled a wide range of industries - from automotive and transportation to manufacturing and construction - to put more focus on going green by building sustainability into their products and practices. For construction, when you factor in the massive investment in infrastructure projects, it represents an opportunity to put those in place on a grand scale.

How Sustainable Materials for Construction Can Help Your Company

Written by: Dan Taylor and Olivia Montgomery, for Software Advice | The construction industry is going through big changes, and now is the time for construction managers to adapt to a growing demand for more eco-friendly building materials. If you aren’t already taking the use of sustainable materials for construction seriously, your business risks losing out to innovative builders who are meeting the changing customer demand for a healthier home and earth.

How to Incorporate Sustainability Into Bridge Design, Starting With Planning

Interview with: Rob Richardon, PE, West Region Bridge Leader, HDR, and Don Nguyen, PE, Bridges & Structures Sustainability Leader, HDR | As communities are looking for ways to be more sustainable, and an influx of federal infrastructure funding that includes new sustainability requirements, now is a good time to look at bridges. From planning to concrete selection, sustainability can be incorporated into the bridge planning process.

On-site vs. Off-site Sorting: Which Construction Waste Recycling Method Is Best?

Written by: Keith Osmun, Content Specialist, Dumpsters.com | Sustainability is an ever-increasing focus in the construction and demolition industry. As a result, recycling has become top of mind since it saves on energy, materials and workforce costs. Implementing a recycling strategy is critical in getting the best results for your jobsite. You can use two different sorting options for recycling: on-site and off-site. But is one better for you?

Otay Mesa Land Port of Entry Modernization and Expansion

CMAA Sustainability Project Spotlight | This project focuses on The Otay Mesa Land Port of Entry Modernization and Expansion for the General Services Administration (GSA) in San Diego, Calif. The crossing is the busiest commercial crossing and third-busiest vehicle crossing on the Mexico-U.S. border. The modernization and expansion builds out an adjacent 9.9-acre lot adding new buildings along the port perimeter and renovates some existing facilities and is delivered via Design-Build contract.

Reducing Greenhouse Gases in Capital Project Construction

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, National Academy of Construction member since 2011 | The industry collectively accounts for 39 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions with construction, accounting for 11 percent globally. If true greenhouse gas reduction is to be achieved, the construction industry will have to lead the way. The growing focus on ESG (environmental, social and governance) has put reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) front and center. The construction industry is at the heart of this focus.

Rethinking Airport Terminal Design to Achieve Net Zero Impact

Written by: Josh Greenfield, PE, High Performance Design Director, and Kevin Ashton, AIA, Aviation Architecture Principal, HDR, Inc. | The United Nations estimates that the global aviation industry accounts for roughly 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Most of this impact is from jet fuel emissions, but terminals and their operations are a measurable part of the picture.

Seven Steps to Create a Waste Management Plan for Your Construction Site

Written by: Dumpsters.com Blog | A waste management plan deals with more than just waste. At its core, a waste management plan – also known as a WMP – is a record of materials removed from a jobsite and their byproducts. It lists the site materials, how much can be diverted into recycling or reused, how much is going to a landfill and where it’s going.

Seven Ways the Design and Build Industry Can Advance Climate-Positive Design for a Greener Future

Written by: Taz Khatri, AIA, Founder and Principal, Taz Khatri Studios | MASS Design Group, a nonprofit collective of architects, landscape architects, engineers, writers, filmmakers, and researchers representing 20 countries, has laid out seven strategies that rethink aspects of the construction industry to transform it into a regenerative force instead of a destructive one.

Six Megatrends For Sustainable Business Strategy In 2026

Written by: Sandy Nessing, Senior Advisor, TRC, and Galen Guerrero-Murphy, Director, Corporate Sustainability, TRC | As we move deeper into 2026, corporate sustainability strategies are being reshaped by a convergence of geoeconomic tension, technological acceleration, regulatory complexity, and rising community expectations. Longstanding priorities including climate risk management, resource stewardship, workforce resilience, and transparency are no longer optional or aspirational.

SPS_AACC_Building

CMAA Sustainability Project Spotlight submitted by: Joyce Dawson, Assistant Director of Facilities Design and Construction, Anne Arundel Community College | Health and Life Sciences Building at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) is a 175,000-square-feet college instructional and lab building completed by the design team led by SmithGroup and builder team by Whiting Turner.

Sustainability Spotlight - ABC Campus Center for the Kern Community College District

This Sustainability Project Spotlight focuses on the the ABC Campus Center for the Kern Community College District in Bakersfield, Calif. The ABC Campus Center project stands out for its multifaceted approach to sustainability, incorporating several innovative features that collectively contribute to its environmental and social value. Collectively, these features underscore the project's innovative approach to sustainability, blending environmental responsibility with community engagement and energy efficiency.

Sustainability Spotlight - Donald Dungan Library and Norma Hertzog Community Center

This Sustainability Project Spotlight focuses on the Donald Dungan Library and Norma Hertzog Community Center in Costa Mesa, Calif. The library is part of a larger project that includes the redevelopment of Lion’s Park for a large outdoor community event space, gardens, concessions kiosk, and recreational areas as well as renovation of the old library to become a new community meeting center.

Sustainability Spotlight - Heartland Community College – Agriculture Complex

This Sustainability Project Spotlight focuses on the Heartland Community College Agricultural Complex in Normal, Illinois. The 29,500-square-foot building integrates technology throughout, from the rooftop photovoltaic (solar) array to the accommodations for precision agriculture — helping educators prepare students for the high-tech agricultural jobs of tomorrow. The building design stems from intensive energy modeling, passive solar principles, and solar compartmentalization, while the site design highlights storm water management and flexibility of outdoor education and reflects the college

Sustainability Spotlight - Otay Mesa LPOE Modernization & Expansion

This Sustainability Project Spotlight focuses on the The Otay Mesa Land Port of Entry Modernization and Expansion for the General Services Administration in San Diego, Calif. The crossing is the busiest commercial crossing and third-busiest vehicle crossing on the Mexico-U.S. border. The modernization and expansion builds out an adjacent 9.9-acre lot adding new buildings along the port perimeter and renovates some existing facilities and is delivered via Design-Build contract.

Sustainability Spotlight - San Bernardino Valley College Technical Education Project

This Sustainability Spotlight focuses on the San Bernardino Valley College, Technical Education Project in California. The San Bernadino Valley College is a service of the San Bernardino Community College District. This facility will replace the previous technology building that was built in 1965. The new building will transform lives and offer courses for several different careers. The project is set to open in 2025.

Sustainability Spotlight - TPA Master Plan Phase 1 and 2

This Sustainability Project Spotlight focuses on the Tampa International Airport Master Plan Phase 1 and 2. The 270,000 square foot SkyCenter One building is Tampa's first LEED-certified new construction project at the platinum level. The sustainable and environmentally focused design implemented practical and measurable solutions in areas including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, and more.

Sustainability Spotlight - Zero-Carbon Electric Central Utility Plant at DFW Airport

This Sustainability Spotlight focuses on the Zero-Carbon Electric Central Utility Plant at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. This bold and forward-thinking project is central to the first and largest Carbon Neutral Airports in the Americas! Central to the scope of this project is electrification of the utilities that were predominately natural gas and steam all while keeping the world’s third busiest airport fully up and running.

Sustainability Spotlight: Contra Costa County Administration Building B and Plaza

This Sustainability Project Spotlight focuses on the Contra Costa County Administration Building B and Plaza, just outside San Francisco, California. The project will include demolition of the Old Administration Building at 651 Pine Street as well as the Jail at 650 Pine Street. The site will then be developed with a Satellite Administration Building and Public Plaza, continuing the county’s investment in Martinez and further enhancing the county’s campus along Pine and Escobar streets.

Sustainability Spotlight: Crafton Hills College Performing Arts Center

This Sustainability Project Spotlight focuses on the Crafton Hills College Performing Arts Center. Crafton Hills College is part of the San Bernardino Community College District and is located in Yucaipa, California. The College was looking for a top-rated, modern performing arts venue to better meet the needs of music and theater students and faculty while elevating the College’s identity in the surrounding area. The result is a design that leverages a prominent location on Campus Drive and uses indoor and outdoor teaching and learning spaces.

Sustainability Utilizing a Program Management Approach

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, National Academy of Construction Member | Large, complex engineering and construction programs may be found in all industry sectors. Such projects range from extractive industries such as oil, gas, and mining to infrastructure programs for transportation, water, and power. Together, financial, social, and environmental outcomes define the three elements of sustainability or a program’s “triple bottom line.”

Sustainable Construction: Modern Approaches to Traditional Practices

Written by: Brandi Heffner, Director, InEight | For centuries, we have been constructing everything from homes to manufacturing plants to transportation infrastructure, building on what we call traditional practices. Each decade moves forward with modernizations to these practices as our knowledge deepens and as we become aware of different resources. Building on those traditions has landed us where we are today; in a position of necessity for more sustainable construction practices.

The Building 12 Adaptive Reuse Project Brings Retro Chic to a Revived Waterfront

Written by: Markkus Rovito, Freelance Writer, Redshift by Autodesk | By the time the restored Pier 70 in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood is ready to debut in the mid-2020s, it will have been more than a century since the shipyard’s waterfront was open to the public. But for the rehabilitated Building 12 — a World War II ship-hull plate shop and mold loft built in 1941 and restored as part of the Pier 70 project’s Phase 1— it was not the past century that concerned stakeholders, but rather the next 100 years.

The Greening Effect of BIM Tech on Capital Projects

Written by: Paula Perrin, Sr. Marketing Content Manager, InEight | Twenty years ago, it might have seemed odd to think of capital construction projects as having a symbiotic relationship with their environment. But today, using building information modeling (BIM), construction design teams are able to take a multifaceted approach to designing with that relationship in mind.

The Impact of Climate Change on Construction Practices: Building Resilience for the Future

Written by: Rose Morrison, Freelance Writer | Global warming has been changing the climate — and the construction industry. Scientists consider mainstream building practices detrimental. They emit mammoth amounts of greenhouse gases, generate mountains of landfill waste, and adversely damage ecological systems. Explore how climate change impacts various stages of construction projects and how the industry copes.

The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design

CMAA Sustainability Project Spotlight submitted by: Jimmy Mitchell, Construction Manager, Skanska | CMAA has created the Sustainability Project Spotlight as a regular focus given to member projects nationwide that are building the way to a better future. Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design at Georgia Tech is a 40,000 square-foot multi-disciplinary University Academic Building completed by the design team led by Lord Aeck Sargent & Miller Hull Partnership and builder team led by Skanska USA Building.

The Path to Net-Zero Carbon: Stabilizing Climate Change Takes a (Global) Village

Written by: Sarah Jones, live-sound editor at Live Design magazine and AEC section editor at Redshift | The degree of global warming is directly proportional to the amount of carbon dioxide that human activities add to the atmosphere. It’s a brutally simple equation: To stabilize climate change, global carbon emissions must fall to zero. The longer it takes to do that, the more the climate will change.

Three Key Factors for Capitalizing on Electrification Opportunities

Written by: Sean R. Nacey, Senior Vice President and General Manager, USA Construction and Energy Solutions, Wesco | Sustainability initiatives and electrification projects are driving spend and creating significant growth across the construction industry. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will unlock hundreds of billions of dollars in funding for massive infrastructure projects across the country, much of which will be geared toward grid modernization, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and charging, solar, and other sustainable energy initiatives.

Three Technologies Supporting Construction’s Sustainability Aspirations

Written by: Cheri Hanes, Head of Construction Innovation and Sustainability, AXA XL | Technology is developing at a rapid pace to address construction challenges in new ways that are complementary to traditional efforts. Collectively, these efforts will position the construction industry to manage risk better and institute more sustainable business practices at a quicker pace.

Turning Construction Waste Into Resources

Written by: Ibon Iribar, Investment and Open Innovation Advisor, Cemex Ventures | In 2023, it is estimated that North America alone generated 600 million tons of construction and demolition waste, a troubling figure for an industry facing increasing pressures to strengthen its sustainability efforts to decrease its carbon footprint. To make a real difference, the construction industry must shift toward a circular economy — treating waste as a resource rather than a burden.

What is Adaptive Reuse? Repurposing Buildings For a Sustainable Future

Written by: Jon Holmes, Content Marketing Specialist, Autodesk | Adaptive reuse is breathing new life into old buildings and transforming the architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AECO) industry in the process. Rather than demolishing structures, adaptive reuse repurposes them for modern needs, preserving history while reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact.

What Is Embodied Carbon in the Built World, and How Can It Be Reduced?

Written by: Marta Bouchard, Sustainability Strategy Lead, Autodesk Impact Team | More than 70 countries and 1,200 companies have committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, according to the United Nations. The goal of net zero is to cut carbon emissions to curb climate change to protect the planet and future generations.

What Is ESG, and Why Is ESG Investing Good for the Planet and for Business?

Written by: Joe Speicher, Vice President of ESG and Impact, Autodesk | When it comes to the increasingly severe effects of climate change, planet earth will do just fine if humanity does nothing to limit carbon emissions. But, people are feeling the impacts of climate change, mourning the loss of species, and protesting in the face of injustice. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing is one way to ensure a sustainable future for people and the planet.

What Is Low-Carbon Development for Design and Construction?

Written by: Michael Gustafson, Industry Strategy Manager for Structural Engineering, Autodesk | Low-carbon development is a holistic approach to design and construction that comprises evolving, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly practices used to build a better future. As technology evolves and climate change reinforces the urgency of sustainable solutions, low-carbon development isn’t just the future, it’s the present.

What You Need to Know About Environmental, Social, and Governance Programs

Written by: The CMAA Sustainability Committee | Explore the latest need-to-know ESG regulations, programs implemented by CMAA members, anticipated ESG reporting measures, key performance indicators, and more detailed ESG-related content.

Will Tech Lead Construction to a Greener Future?

Written by: Bryan Williams, Portfolio Manager, Trimble | Sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern. Construction businesses are under growing pressure to minimize environmental impact, comply with regulations, and meet market demands — all while managing rising costs and economic uncertainty. In addition to helping preserve the environment for future generations, implementing sustainable practices can lead to cost savings, improved marketability, and compliance with increasingly stringent regulatory requirements.

Zero-Carbon Electric Central Utility Plant (ECUP)

CMAA Sustainability Project Spotlight | This spotlight focuses on the Zero-Carbon Electric Central Utility Plant (ECUP) at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport (DFW). This bold and forward-thinking project is central to the first and largest Carbon Neutral Airports in the Americas! The new ECUP will transition DFW to 100% zero-emission renewable electricity for heating and significantly reduce ozone precursor emissions, carbon, emissions, water use, and natural gas consumption.

Technology, Sustainability

How Tech and Sustainability Help Companies Attract and Retain Talent

Written by: Cheri Hanes, Head of Construction Innovation and Sustainability, AXA XL | In today’s evolving job market, attracting and retaining top talent has become a significant challenge for organizations across industries. The construction sector faces unique hurdles due to its dynamic nature and the increasing demand for skilled professionals. How can the industry address these challenges?

How Tech and Sustainability Help Companies Attract and Retain Talent

Sustainability, Technology

Tech Revolution in Green Building: AI, Collaboration, and Efficient Practices

Written by: Brian Wienke, Product Marketing Director, Oracle Construction and Engineering | It is estimated that 75% of necessary infrastructure in 2050 has yet to be built, roughly equating to 2.6 billion square feet of new floor space. The construction industry has an unprecedented opportunity to define and implement sustainable building practices on a global scale.

Tech Revolution in Green Building: AI, Collaboration, and Efficient Practices

Technology

Software Issues Can Add to Project Delay

Written by: Mariusz Wiechec, Director, HKA Global, LLC | An anticipated rise in infrastructure construction forecasted in early 2022 has not been as robust as the industry hoped, and construction officials are cautious about what 2023 will bring. Ongoing supply chain issues, spikes in the costs of construction materials, labor shortages across all trades, and the threat of inflation have dampened the optimism expressed last year.

Technology: Construction’s Next Frontier

Written by: Romy Maunz, Business Director, Software, Building Solutions, Hexagon Geosystems | While construction remains the largest industry in the global economy, accounting for 13% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), the annual productivity growth has been relatively flat. The profitability is low, with around a 3-5% earnings before interest and taxes margin, with 98% of all megaprojects running over budget and over schedule.

The Ongoing Evolution of Jobsite Connectivity

Written by: Gregg Wartgow, Freelance Writer, Editor and Public Relations, Communications, and Marketing Professional | The vision is there. Wouldn’t it be great if the entire jobsite — the general contractor, subs, designers, owners, equipment vendors, and material suppliers — were all working in sync with the data that shifts with each condition change, progress report, change order, telematics warning, and machine inspection?

10 Critical Features To Look For In Your Construction Document Control Solution

Written by: RedTeam Builders Blog Editors | Managing construction documents shouldn’t feel like chasing down files across emails, spreadsheets, and shared drives. Yet for many teams, that’s still the reality and it introduces risk at every stage of a project. The right document control solution does more than store files. It creates structure, accountability, and clarity across your entire operation. If you’re evaluating options, here are the critical features that actually make a difference on the jobsite and in the office.

A Bridge-Centric Approach To Digital Delivery

Written by: Scott Henning, PE, Principal Structural Engineer, HDR | The adoption of building information management (BIM) in the transport infrastructure space has added another tool for design consultants, constructors, and stakeholders to use in the pursuit of accelerated delivery, improved quality, and reduced cost. This innovation means it is becoming common for a project’s digital delivery scope to include development of a single federated model — a three-dimensional model incorporating design data from all relevant disciplines.

A Case for Practical and Strategic AI for Tomorrow’s Construction Firm

Written by: Gregg M. Schoppman, Partner, FMI Corporation | It seems like we cannot begin a strategic conversation without uttering “artificial intelligence” (AI) at least 1,000 times. There is a certain level of fervor that contractors get about discussing digital AI in a tangible world of concrete, steel, and timber. There is a pantheon of AI solutions already in the marketplace, and that marketplace is changing at an exponential rate. Many strategic construction leaders have the FOMO — fear of missing out — that comes with determining the right solution.

Achieve Total Project Control with Accounting Integrations

Written by: RedTeam Builder Blog Editors | Managing construction projects without a fully integrated tech stack leads to inefficiencies, errors, and financial risks. Integrating a best-in-class construction management solution with your existing accounting platform can deliver real-time cost visibility and invaluable efficiencies for a growing business.

Adoption of AI in Quantity Takeoffs in Engineering and Construction Organizations

Written by: Dan Whiteman, Ph.D., Vice Chairman, Coastal Construction Group, and R. Raymond Issa, Ph.D., UF Distinguished Professor, Rinker School of Construction Management, University of Florida | This white paper focuses on organizational and management considerations that E&C organizations should weigh as they consider digitizing QT operations by deploying artificial intelligence (AI) software. The advent of AI allows training of software to execute repeatable tasks like measuring, counting, coloring, naming, and analyzing documents with record speed and accuracy. AI enhanced QT software

AI and the Optimization of Construction Projects

Written by: Rahul Shah, Global Director, Built Environment, BSI | Seeking answers on how to construct smarter and greener buildings or improve water efficiency in homes and offices, those who create our buildings and construction projects are entering a new era of learning as they turn their attention to the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI). The possible applications of AI for the construction industry could be transformative across design, procurement, construction, operation, and decommissioning.

AI Best Fits Contractors When It Unifies The Language Within Firms

Written by: Jesse Velay-Vitow, Ph.D., Deployment Specialist, Palantir, and Jonas Lang, Tech Lead, Palantir | For three decades, the construction industry has been told that the answer to its operational fragmentation is another piece of software. The result has been a tangle of disconnected systems, a back office buried in reconciliation, and a field crew that has largely opted out. Most recently, the solution pitched is artificial intelligence; creating the problem of AI slop.

AI Holds Promise for Contractors that Understand the Risks

Written by: Richard Friedman, Founder and President, Friedman & Partners | Few issues have dominated national news the way that artificial intelligence has in 2023. The watershed moment was the release of ChatGPT, a transformative word processing tool that uses AI to quickly answer questions posed to it. Almost immediately, people and businesses found myriad ways to use the tool to save time when developing written content and performing other tasks.

AI in Construction Is Paving a Path to a More Sustainable Future - With Human Help

Written by: Elizabeth Rosselle, Freelance Journalist, Copywriter, and Designer | Machines that are programmed to perform like humans have become more mainstream than ever, and they’re revolutionizing how people do business. AI has already pervaded industries like retail, health care, and manufacturing; now construction is beginning to follow suit.

AI in Construction: What Does it Mean for You?

Written by: Patrick Scarpati, Director, ABC Construction Technology and Innovation | Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the construction industry by enhancing efficiency, safety, and decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. AI in construction involves the application of advanced technologies like machine learning, computer vision, and data analytics to various construction processes. Through AI, machines can learn and imitate human cognitive functions.

AI Is Building a Better Construction Industry

Written by: Roshelle Dama, Senior Manager, CBIZ | In constrained and dynamic environments like today’s, efficiency becomes paramount — and that’s exactly what AI aims to achieve virtually anywhere it’s applied. For business owners, that means AI can offer support for their decision-making.

AI Technology in the Construction Industry and its Potential Impact on Jobs

Written by: Sharnette Tucker, Program Manager, HNTB | One of the fastest-growing trends in the construction industry is the use of artificial intelligence (AI). AI combines computing power, large amounts of data, and human guidance to enable problem solving. Recent advancements in technology allow users to leverage AI in ever-expanding ways.

America’s Infrastructure Is Only As Strong As Its AI Governance

Written by: Lalitha Krishnamoorthy, Vice President, Artificial Intelligence and Digital, Stantec | America’s civil infrastructure is at a pivotal moment. While the rise of artificial intelligence has introduced new challenges, it also brings powerful tools and fresh opportunities to strengthen our systems.

An Approach to Ethical AI in the AEC/O Industry

Written by: Julian Geiger, Vice President of AI Product and Transformation, Nemetschek Group | Imagine AI not just generating designs, but understanding complex project requirements, reasoning through intricate structural challenges, and even anticipating the emotional needs of building occupants. This revolution demands a thoughtful approach to ethical AI, ensuring that these powerful tools enhance, rather than replace, human expertise and creativity in architecture, engineering, construction, and operations.

Are Autonomous Reality-Capture Robots Worth the Hype?

Written by: Steven Uecke, PE, Structural Engineer and CEO, SuperDroid Robots | Reality capture has been a game changer for the construction industry because it allows general contractors to monitor and share progress with clients and the design team, better coordinate schedules with trade partners, streamline the RFI process, and provide better quality control through the build phase of a construction project.

Are My Contech Tools Purpose-Built to Support Field Users?

Written by: Andre Paden, Advanced Work Packaging Subject Matter Expert, InEight | In today’s fast-paced and demanding construction industry, effective project execution and communication between office-based teams and users are paramount. Users, often stationed at construction jobsites, face unique challenges that require specialized tools to streamline their workflows and enhance productivity. Construction execution software tools have emerged as indispensable solutions to bridge the gap between the jobsite and the office.

Are My Contech Tools Purpose-Built to Support Users on the Jobsite?

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Construction Dispute Resolution

Written by: Thomas Mitchell, PE, Senior Project Manager, Urban Engineers | Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries worldwide, and construction is no exception. From project management to risk assessment, AI-driven tools are improving efficiency and mitigating conflicts. But can AI play a role in resolving construction disputes - one of the AEC industry’s most persistent challenges?

Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Supply Chain

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, National Academy of Construction member since 2011 | Across industries, digital transformation is changing the supply chain more than any other functional area. It is driving efficiency and resiliency to disruption. The supply chain is transitioning to a "thinking" supply chain, one broadly and tightly connected to all data sources.

Artistic Photographer and Construction Manager Turned Drone Enthusiast

Written by: Justin Dorsey, CCM, PMP, Project Executive/Preconstruction Manager, OCMI, Inc. | Opportunity can really come from anywhere. When Justin Dorsey, CCM, PMP, Project Executive/Preconstruction Manager, O’Connor Construction Management, Inc., got his first drone (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) he never expected it to become important to his professional life.

Beating the Skilled-Labor Shortage With Technology

Written by: Parth Tikiwala, Head of Government and Academic Affairs, Bluebeam | Despite an uptick in hiring, a persistent labor shortage continues to challenge contractors, developers, and business owners. Technology is emerging as a crucial tool in helping contractors do more with less. From automation and real-time collaboration to digital project management, construction firms are increasingly turning to AI-powered platforms, cloud-based workflows, and field technology to optimize labor allocation and reduce inefficiencies.

Beyond the Model: Managing Completed Assets With Digital Twins

Written by: InEight Behind the Build Blog Editors | A digital twin is a virtual exact copy of a physical object. But it’s more than just a digital representation of a real-world project. Such a replica provides new ways to think about and manage projects (and assets) at a very fundamental level. Digital twins are gaining traction among construction companies that have implemented building information modeling (BIM) — the “cousin” of the digital twin — and want to understand how different options and changes will impact asset performance over time. But its value goes beyond even working in

Bringing Your Projects Into Sharper Focus With the Right Cost Management Tech

Written by: Rick Deans, Executive Vice President of Industry Engagement, InEight | Industry professionals have accepted the importance of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and accounting programs to run the financial side of their businesses. However, when managing capital construction projects on the jobsite, the timeliness of information is paramount to making good decisions.

Building and Infrastructure Owners Hold the Keys to Connected Data

Written by: Nicolas Mangon, Vice President of AEC, Business Strategy and Marketing, Autodesk | Architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) is a digital industry in which 15 revisions can happen in minutes. And owners are playing a pivotal role in driving industry-wide transformation - a data-driven industry powered by platforms, machine learning, and automation.

Building for the Future Technology Investment for Changing Times

Written by: Nick Grandy, Construction and Real Estate Senior Analyst, RSM US LLP | Last year, businesses across industries grappled with new challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Seemingly overnight, construction companies were forced to adapt to an unpredictable reality, navigating state and local ordinances for stay-at-home orders and interpreting government classifications for what were considered essential businesses. These challenges pushed contractors to look for solutions outside of their normal toolbox, with many companies engaging in digital transformation.

Built Industry Must Innovate to Thrive in the Digital Age

Written by: Maanav Mahindru, Operational Product Leader, Shadow Ventures | The construction industry faces several challenges hindering its productivity and growth. Those in the construction industry must first understand critical challenges to successfully adopt important new technologies. Fortunately, many companies and startups are now focused on addressing such issues to enable the built industry to catch up to other, more digitized industries.

Business Integration Is The Missing Link In Construction Technology Success

Written by: Bryan Stone, Principal of Client Delivery, JBF Consulting | A general contractor can invest heavily in the latest project management software, estimating platforms, and jobsite technology. But if no one understands the workflows, role responsibilities, jobsite coordination requirements, or how the jobsite and office communicate, the project still struggles.

Can Electric Demolition Robots Make Jobsites Safer?

Written by: Melissa Khalil, CONEXPO-CON/AGG | Demolition is difficult, dirty, dangerous work. It is also necessary work. How can you best keep workers safe in a demolition environment? Remove them from that environment. When the people come out, the robots move in.

Can Tech Tackle the Talent Deficit?

Written by: Herb Brownett, President, Brownett & Associates, LLC | For decades, the construction industry has faced a steadily increasing struggle to attract and retain talent, but smart companies are recognizing that technology can be a big part of the solution.

Can VR Replace Workers in Hazardous Construction Scenarios?

Written by: Evelyn Long, Founder, Editor-in-Chief, Renovated.com | Virtual reality (VR) technology has significantly progressed in various industries because it transforms how people perform tasks and deliver experiences. By creating immersive, computer-generated environments, VR allows users to interact with digital worlds as if they were real. This technology has practical applications in healthcare, education, construction, and beyond.

Cobots

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, Chairman & CEO, Strategic Program Management, LLC | This article provides a comprehensive overview cobots and how they are revolutionizing the engineering and construction industries. Cobots are designed to work alongside human workers, unlike traditional industrial robots, enhancing productivity, safety, and efficiency. This article also provides an in-depth look at the attributes, capabilities, and applications of cobots in engineering and construction projects, along with successful integration strategies, challenges, and real-world examples.

Connected Analytics Trends in Construction

Written by: InEight Behind the Build Blog | Construction is experiencing its own information age. With technology adoption on the uptick, there’s more data than ever being collected from the jobsite. And there’s been a corresponding need in understanding how to apply that data throughout the project life cycle. As connected analytics continues to take hold in the industry, several trends have emerged that point to its relevance and value.

Construction Must Continue to Adopt New Tools

Written by: Josh LaSharr, Senior Consultant, Well Built Construction Consulting | Technology and construction today go hand in hand, from the phone to the computer, estimating programs to project management software. Every company relies on digital technology in some manner, yet our industry is slow to embrace new tools. Construction technology adoption is critical; simply adapting to the environment is not enough. We must adopt these tools into our day-to-day operations.

Construction Project Management in 2025: What Will Change?

Written by: RedTeam Builder Blog Editors | While the construction industry has traditionally been seen as slow to embrace change, technology is expected to continue transforming the business in 2025 benefitting construction project management. Firms that stay ahead by leveraging tech advancements are likely to see their profits rise and build a positive brand image among both current and future customers and employees.

Construction Software Adoption: Avoiding Common Launch Pitfalls

Written by: InEight Industry Insights Blog | Construction software adoption has been on a gradual upswing over the last few years. As tempting as it might be to dive right in and enjoy every capability your chosen construction software has to offer, there are certain pitfalls to that approach that you’ll want to avoid.

Contech Trends to Watch in the New Year

Written by: Matthew Thibault, Associate Editor, Construction Dive | Technology will be a key driver of progress and efficiency in 2023, and experts believe that the benefits are too useful to ignore in such tumultuous times. But, it’s important that contractors utilize technology with intention.

Contractor, Owner, Engineer: Getting the Right Project Data

Written by: InEight Blog Editors | The ability to make informed, actionable decisions based on up-to-date project data can be the difference between a successful capital project and a costly failure. For contractors, owners, and engineers, that means having the right information at the right time and in the appropriate format.

Contractors in the Cybersecurity Crosshairs

Written by: Nick Fortuna for Constructor Magazine | The list includes one of the biggest construction companies in France, a prominent North American homebuilder, and a group of Asian-based construction engineering companies. If your business isn’t among them, be thankful because those companies were among the 93 construction firms to have suffered a publicly documented ransomware attack in 2020 or 2021.

Control Construction Site Costs With Project Geofencing

Written by: Chris Shodd, Chief Revenue Officer, ASCEND | Geofencing is one of the benefits of a telematics platform. Until recently, the primary objective of geofencing has been a preventative measure to discourage the unauthorized use of vehicles and tracking assets. But now, there’s an enhanced solution to geofencing: project geofencing.

Data Empowers Construction Leaders to Make Better Decisions

Written by: Mike Merrill, Co-Founder and COO, WorkMax by AboutTime Technologies | If construction business owners had the power to accurately predict how projects will actually run, the correct project bids to make and how to avoid major project risks, wouldn’t they jump at that chance? Fortunately, it’s possible.

Data Interoperability: The Key to Connected, Collaborative, and Profitable Construction

Written by: Chris Peppler, Vice President of Platform and Product, Trimble | The complexity of modern construction projects makes it difficult to share large amounts of data between different systems and teams. As a result, interoperability has become a critical area of focus for both vendors who provide hardware and software construction solutions and construction businesses that rely on technology to work more efficiently and grow.

Data-Driven Safety On-Site

Written by: Donna Laquidara-Carr, Ph.D., Industry Insights Research Director, Dodge Data & Analytics | In the past few years, there has been an explosion in the types of technology available to contractors on-site. The potential to improve productivity and increase budget and schedule certainty are among the appealing benefits that these technologies have the potential to offer.

Deep Waters: Data Integrity Navigation For Owner/Operators

Written by: Andre Paden, Advanced Work Packaging Subject Matter Expert, InEight | As owners and operators in construction deal with the complex natures of their ventures, data integrity remains critical to ensure streamlined operations and good decision-making. Similar to charting the open ocean, success depends on preparedness and having the right tools and methods in place.

Determining the ROI of Laser Scanning in Building Construction

Written by: Jason Hood, Building Construction Industry Manager, Leica Geosystems | Projects are moving faster than ever, and this increased pace makes it more likely that mistakes will happen if you aren’t prepared for the changing landscape. This new reality makes it critical to understand every aspect of the jobsite at any given moment — and how it is changing from one minute to the next. The only way for mid- to large-size general contractors to stay ahead is to capture reality and make it work for their needs.

Different AI Uses Present Similar Benefits for Large and Small Construction Firms

Written by: Fred Ackerman, Partner and Co-Leader of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry Groups, Anchin | As architecture, engineering, and construction firms face increasing challenges — labor shortages, rising costs, and supply-chain disruptions — AI presents a timely opportunity. Yet, its adoption within the industry has been measured, at best. For firms willing to embrace AI’s potential, the benefits can be substantial: optimizing operations, enhancing safety, and driving financial growth.

Digital Threats Lurk Around Every Corner. Do You Know How to Stay Safe?

Written by: Brian J. Schnese, who works in Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management | The digital evolution has left construction firms more vulnerable than ever to cybercrime. The risk of financial losses is just the tip of the iceberg. This means direct losses stemming from theft, fraud, or ransom payments, as well as costs required to deal with and recover from an attack, such as legal fees or remediation.

Digitalizing Time Capture in the Field via Mobile Devices

Written by: Umer Lone, Senior Solutions Engineer, InEight | Numerous types of data are captured from a construction site each day. Quantity executed, visual evidence of work, safety and quality issues, work issues, etc. are just a few. Yet one of the critical details they all share every day is time capture of resources — both human and equipment. Accurate time records of labor and equipment are one of the important functions of construction management. What follows are some best practices for digitalizing your methods for field time capture.

Driving Continuous Improvement After Project Management Information System Go-Live

Written by: Zabrina Shaw, Program Controls Management Lead, HDR, and Courtney Cash, Project Manager, HDR | Project Management Information System (PMIS) go-live is the starting point in unlocking the full potential of a PMIS. The real value emerges through continuous improvement and optimization once the system is operational.

Elevating Construction Operations With an Advanced Tech Stack

Written by: Ryan Rademann, Partner, Wipfli | Forward-thinking companies know that technology isn’t just about creating new efficiencies: It’s about remaining competitive in bids to win work and win the war for talent. Both customers and competitors are becoming increasingly digitally savvy, and with tight margins, leaders need the insights technology offers to retain key players and deliver on-time, on-budget projects.

Evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenges and Risks in Construction

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, Chairman & CEO, Strategic Program Management LLC | AI is not just a defining theme across all sectors of society. It likely represents a major inflection point in how the architecture, design, engineering, and construction industries work and the nature of the work they do.

Explorations in Data Mining

Written by: Laura Stagner, Dennis Ryan, Sergio Aranda, and Marty Turner (CMAA Emerging Technologies Committee Initiative) | Data is essential to life. Data shapes our understanding and helps us make decisions. Data helps us convey our ideas. We have relied on data throughout human history. Now, this dependence is deeper than ever.

Exploring the Importance of End-To-End Construction Tech Solutions

Written by: InEight Behind the Build Blog Editors | Construction companies have been faced with escalating demands over the last few years that have compelled them to search for viable solutions. They’re now tasked with managing capital projects that have become more complicated. That level of connection comes with an end-to-end construction technology solution; in other words, an integrated platform.

Field-to-Office Communication

Written by: Tom Webb, VP of Strategic Initiatives & Customer Relations, HCSS | Good communication between the field and office is essential to keeping a project on time and on budget. A few ways that technology built for heavy construction can help improve field-to-office communications are discussed here.

Finding The Right Data Faster For Smarter Construction

Written by: Kathleen Kewley, Director, AEC Global Business Development, Esri | With megaprojects becoming more complex, data analytics has to be more precise. American football stadiums are never done being built. Depending on the night of the week, the season, or circumstance, they could be converted into a concert venue, a hockey rink, even a staging area for emergency evacuations. In the past, those shifts might have sent stadium operators scrambling to stay on schedule and within budget.

Five Benefits of Cloud Construction Management Software

Written by: Builder Blog by RedTeam | Efficient project management is crucial in the construction industry, where multiple stakeholders, complex tasks,‌ and strict timelines are the norm. To meet these challenges head-on, construction professionals are increasingly turning to cloud-based construction management software. Let’s explore the five key advantages of using cloud-based software in construction management.

Five Digital Twin Examples Show Industry Adapting to the 21st Century

Written by: Mark de Wolf, Freelance Writer | How do you manage, maintain, or make repairs to systems when they aren’t within easy reach? It’s a problem that’s bedeviled engineers for nearly a century. Now, technology has an answer: the digital twin.

Five Steps to Protect Against Cyber Threats

Written by: Tamika Bass, Cybersecurity Director, Gannett Fleming | In today’s ever-changing digital world, we continuously protect ourselves against cyber threats and look for ways to increase our security posture to preserve business continuity. Cybersecurity impacts all industries, and the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is just as vulnerable. This blog presents ways to implement enterprise risk management processes.

Five Ways Big Data Improves the Way Your Construction Company Operates

Written by: William Delong, Guest Contributor, Software Advice | Planning for complex issues is something every construction company has to do for a project. However, even the most adept general contractors can run into unavoidable difficulties that throw off project planning. Let’s talk about what big data is and what it means in the construction industry.

Five Ways Software Is Impacting Construction

Written by: Troy Warr, Senior Software Engineer, Computer Presentation Systems | Construction businesses are on the hunt for solutions as consumer demands and newly passed legislation become increasingly more complex. Although no single silver bullet solution exists, there are many methods inching the industry toward greater efficiency.

Five Ways To Improve How You Communicate With Remote Worksites

Written by: Laurenzo Overee, Guest Contributor to Software Advice | The modern construction workforce has become increasingly remote, shifting toward a location-agnostic setting. While remote work has its advantages in terms of accessibility and convenience, your business will need the right tools for optimized communication for teams deployed across jobsites.

Focus On Infrastructure: Using Technology To Mitigate Construction Safety Risks

Written by: InEight Industry Insights Blog Editors | In the lead-up to any infrastructure construction project, there is wide acknowledgment that many such aging structures have safety issues. Those safety concerns generally center around the impact on the public and the surroundings. As such projects move from the bidding, and planning stages to the execution stage over months, and years, the focus naturally shifts to construction safety.

Four Reasons Construction Logistics Technology Implementations Fail

Written by: Brad Forester, Founder and Managing Partner, JBF Consulting | Most construction logistics and supply chain technology investments don’t fail at go-live. They fail months earlier, in a planning meeting where a vendor hands over a 14-week implementation timeline, and nobody — not the operations director, not the project management team, not procurement — pushes back on what it will actually take to stand up a system across the complexity of a project-driven, multi-site construction business

Getting Started With AI and Automation in Construction

Written by: John Meibers, Vice President and General Manager, Deltek ComputerEase | Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are transforming the construction industry, offering contractors new ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance safety. However, many contractors feel hesitant about adopting these technologies due to concerns about complexity, cost, and implementation. The good news is that AI and automation can be introduced gradually and strategically, making the transition smooth and manageable.

Gigawatt Challenge: Infrastructure For The AI Era

Written by: Dana Tilley, Senior Vice President, Advanced Facilities and Market Lead AI Data Centers, Jacobs | We're in the middle of an infrastructure revolution. With data center investments projected to reach $7 trillion by 2030, the artificial intelligence (AI) era is transforming traditional data centers into complex AI factories.

GIS Data and CAD Converge for Smarter, More Efficient Infrastructure

Ohan Oumoudian, Principal, Geospacial Solutions, GeoDecisions, and Eric Abrams, Senior Project Manager, GFT | As digital transformation reshapes industries, integrating geographic information systems (GIS) and computer-aided design (CAD) is driving smarter, more efficient infrastructure solutions. GIS provides spatial context, while CAD delivers precise design capabilities. Combined, these tools offer a comprehensive view of a project’s environmental, social, and technical dimensions.

Harnessing Digital Twin Technology for Enhanced Construction Project Management

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, Chairman & CEO, Strategic Program Management, LLC | By creating virtual replicas of physical assets, digital twins enable real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and enhanced project management. This article delves into the potential of digital twin technology in construction, exploring its applications, benefits, and the future it holds for the industry.

Harnessing the Power of RPA

Written by: David Sombrio, Business Development Manager, SmartCompliance | Despite its simple appearance, the financial equation of “revenue - expenses = profit” is so complex, there are few who truly understand it. Robotic process automation can decrease overhead labor costs by improving efficiency, productivity, and automating menial tasks that do not require a trained employee.

Heavy Equipment Gets Heavy Tech Upgrade

Written by: Aaron Kleingartner, Product and Dealer Marketing Manager, Doosan Infracore North America | For some contractors, technological advancements in heavy construction equipment can be a welcome sight. From enhanced cameras to grade control systems, some contractors want to explore the new machine options and embrace them. No matter which side of the fence you fall on, it’s important to know all your options.

How AI And Machine Learning Are Transforming The Geotechnical Lifecycle

Written by: Rakam Tamang, Ph.D., PE, Senior Geotechnical Project Manager, TRC | Geotechnical engineering has always been defined by uncertainty. Subsurface conditions are variable, data is limited, and decisions made early in a project can influence performance, risk, and cost for decades. At the same time, infrastructure projects face growing complexity driven by urbanization, aging assets, climate-related hazards, and increasing expectations for safety, resilience, and cost certainty.

How AI Can Help Construction Firms Get Ahead

Written by: Jim Campbell, Vice President of Construction Sales, AvidXchange, Inc. | Despite significant demand for building from both post-pandemic backlogs and new opportunities spurred by federal funding, it’s tough for many firms to take on new work. Let’s examine how AI-driven software and solutions hold the potential to fulfill their commitment by helping construction firms create efficiencies to save time and money and to better manage the persistent labor challenges that threaten their ability to grow.

How AI Is Advancing Design-Build Processes in Construction

Written by: Robert Brown, President and CEO, GCM Contracting Solutions | Artificial intelligence has moved beyond theory and into the field. Across the construction industry, it is transforming how projects are planned, managed, and delivered. From predictive scheduling and safety monitoring to design optimization and client transparency, AI is helping contractors accomplish what they have always aimed to achieve: greater efficiency, fewer surprises, and stronger outcomes.

How AI Resolves Challenges and Excites the Next Generation

Written by: Nathan Patton, Product Marketing Manager, Construction Tech, Trimble | Filling the labor gap is going to come down to technology, both as a way to attract a new generation of workers and to get work done safely and efficiently with a smaller staff. The 2024 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook from Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) found that 30% of firms will make an initial investment in artificial intelligence (19%) or increase their investment (11%). But what does that really mean to the construction industry?

How Automation and Robotics Can Alleviate the Labor Shortage

Written by: Raffi Holzer, CEO and Co-Founder, Avvir | The pandemic has battered the construction workforce on all fronts. It accelerated the rate of Baby Boomer retirements while sparking a Great Resignation among younger workers who might otherwise fill the ranks. To weather this labor shortage, the construction industry must find a way to do more with less. Automation and robotics technology offers a path forward.

How Automation Can Streamline Your Workflow

Written by: Scott Lewis, President and CEO, Winning Technologies Group of Companies | Being a small business owner is challenging: You must manage the business processes to identify and solve real business growth issues in a fast-paced, high-stress work environment. But if you’re honest with yourself, many areas of business must be managed simultaneously, and you likely have limited time and employees to help you manage it all. Directly related to your financial success is the ability to develop and implement work processes that, through automation, can be proactively managed.

How Cloud Collaboration Is Transforming - and Safeguarding - All Industries

Written by: Jim Quanci, Sr. Director, Autodesk | Back when Y2K was a major concern in the digital realm, it might’ve sounded like a far-off prophecy that people could one day work together on a project, from their own computers, from opposite sides of the world, simultaneously. But that time is here. Welcome to the age of cloud collaboration.

How Construction Drones Can Inspire the Next Generation of Builders

Written by: Rob Harvey, Executive Chairman and Cofounder, For The Win Robotics | The gap between labor demand and supply highlights the urgent need for innovative approaches to attract and train new talent. One promising solution to attract talent lies in the integration of drone technology into K-12 education. By introducing students to the building, flying, and coding of drones, educators can spark early interest in construction careers and equip the future workforce with essential skills.

How Construction Drones Can Inspire the Next Generation of Builders

Written by: Rob Harvey, Executive Chairman and Cofounder, For The Win Robotics | As the demand for infrastructure projects grows and the existing workforce ages, the lack of skilled labor threatens to slow economic growth, delay critical projects, and increase costs across the board. This gap between labor demand and supply highlights the urgent need for innovative approaches to attract and train new talent. One promising solution to attract talent lies in the integration of drone technology into K-12 education.

How Contractors Use Tech to Tighten Up Supply Chains

Written by: Robyn Griggs Lawrence for Construction Dive | Contractors are beginning to centralize and automate their supply chain processes. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the industry’s soft underbelly when it comes to materials procurement and management, but the next step — utilizing blockchain and artificial intelligence to track and predict material flow — is still several years away.

How Digital Project Delivery Paves a Clear Path to a Complex Future

Written by: Theo Agelopoulos, Vice President of AEC Design Business, Autodesk | Architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms face myriad challenges, including a skilled-labor shortage, low margins, policy complexity, and unpredictability in securing building materials. The industry is snapping into action: Investing in new ways of working driven by technology has more than doubled in the past decade. Although many software, hardware, and cloud-based tools will contribute to this shift, ultimately the biggest change will be digital project delivery.

How Digital Twins Benefit Contractors and Owners

Written by: InEight Behind the Build Blog Editors | Today’s sophisticated capital projects must make heavy use of real-time data and advanced technologies to deliver on agreed-upon quality, cost, and schedule outcomes. The digital twin, a real-time 3D virtual representation of an asset used to analyze and predetermine project behavior over time, is a natural fit.

How Generative AI Can Help Fight Construction Fraud

Written by: Christopher Ward, Associate Managing Director, K2 Integrity | Detecting and preventing fraud is a vital part of any construction project, but it is also a challenging one, as fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated and elusive, and traditional fraud detection methods, which rely on manual audits, random checks, and whistleblowers, are often insufficient. This is where generative AI can make a difference.

How Integration Brings Construction Into The Digital Age

Written by: Tom Stemm, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Ryvit | Like every other industry these days, construction businesses have been embracing digital solutions to conduct daily activities. Because of this digital transformation, application usage in the industry is steadily increasing.

How Launching a Drone Program Can Elevate Safety and Productivity

Written by: Matthew Thibault, Reporter, Construction Dive | Poettker Construction, located in Breese, Illinois, uses its drones as a “jack of all trades” tool, according to the company’s in-house operator. Learn how you too can use this technology for inspection, marketing, photography, and safety.

How Reality Capture Tech Helped Columbia Align 60,000 Feet of Pipe

Written by: Matthew Thibault, Associate Editor, Construction Dive | The director of the virtual planning and construction group at North Reading, Massachusetts-based Columbia Construction, had her work cut out for her. Ahead of her was a life sciences project that called for 60,000 feet of linear process piping – over 11 miles worth – that had to be installed on a quick time frame. 2D drawings just weren’t cutting it. So, she turned to as-built, reality capture technology.

How Robotics Can Improve Construction and Demolition Waste Sorting

Written by: Emily Newton, Editor-in-Chief, Revolutionized Magazine | Commercial construction projects generate a lot of waste. Managing this debris is crucial to minimizing the industry’s environmental impact, but it’s often a time-consuming and error-prone process. Robotic waste sorting provides a better alternative.

How The Trades Figured Out The Best Use For AI

Written by: Alok Chanani, Co-Founder and CEO, BuildOps | The most interesting thing happening in artificial intelligence right now isn’t in Silicon Valley. It’s in a mechanical room in Dallas where a second-year tech just diagnosed a chiller issue in minutes using context that used to live exclusively in a 20-year veteran’s head. While the tech world ties itself in knots debating whether AI will eliminate jobs, the skilled trades are showing the rest of us what AI is actually good at today. Not as a replacement, but as a capability multiplier.

How to Cut Costs and Delays

Written by: Brian Nuzio, Partner, Marcum LLP | Technology and construction are converging to shape a future characterized by innovation, sustainability, and efficiency. Cutting-edge technologies are being integrated into every stage of the construction process and revolutionizing the industry in several ways. Specifically, as it relates to accounting, construction technology can be useful to identify ways to save and control costs.

How to Effectively Harness AI Without Letting It Take Over

Written by: Saar Yoskovitz, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Augury | The construction and manufacturing industries stand on the brink of a technological revolution, but achieving that revolution will require a full embrace of artificial intelligence. AI advancements offer unparalleled opportunities to tackle critical industry challenges, such as labor shortages and the need to upskill the workforce in construction manufacturing.

How to Embrace Tech and Realize True Digital Workflows

Written by: Bryan Williams, Segment Manager, Field Technology Group, Trimble | We as an industry have reached a tipping point when it comes to technology and its value across the construction workflow and beyond. In years past, construction and survey firms have invested in a tool or technique to improve a task with great success. But today’s technology-immersed environment dictates a broader perspective that requires a look beyond task-oriented improvements.

How To Grow Your Construction Firm With Connected Construction

Written by: Andrew Conrad, Senior Content Writer, Software Advice | Imagine a construction business leader who is struggling to get the best return on your technology investment - a construction team that doesn’t know how many required materials are available for a construction project or when a dependent task will be completed. In this article, we’ll look at some steps you can take to improve safety, communication, and accuracy by bolstering your connected construction technology.

How to Leverage the Power of Software for Preconstruction

Written by: Holly Hughes-Barnes, Content Marketing Writer for Construction Technology | Cloud-based preconstruction technology is becoming increasingly important for commercial general contractors (GCs) and construction managers (CMs). Why? Because owners are shifting away from traditional Design-Bid-Build delivery methods and bringing GCs and CMs into the construction process earlier than ever before. Here’s how you can elevate your preconstruction services and meet heightened expectations.

How to Outsmart Cybersecurity Threats

Written by: David Lukić, Information Privacy, Security, and Compliance Consultant, idstrong.com | Construction work is conceptualized by many as an active line of work, far removed from the standard 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. desk job. However, most people do not consider how much information is stored digitally. As a result, people underestimate the wealth of information that might be desirable to hackers.

How to Redesign Site Safety With Devices to Reduce Worker Risk & Eliminate Hazards

Written by: Jennifer Stiansen, Director of Marketing Americas, Access Segment Oshkosh Corporation | Personal protective equipment (PPE) is going to look radically different for construction workers in the years ahead. Picture a future where wearable technology in construction is as essential as hard hats, hi-visibility vests, and steel-toed boots.

How to Successfully Adopt New Technologies Across Your Business

Written by: Dave Morelli, Head of Customer Success, OpenSpace | From helping alleviate labor shortages, to creating a proof of site status, to improving productivity, technology can have a positive impact on construction companies. Here are a few best practices to keep in mind when implementing new technologies at your company.

How to Use Tech to Fill Construction’s Skills Gap

Written by: Gonzalo Galindo, President, Cemex Ventures | The rise of construction technology has introduced a wave of innovations — from AI-driven project management tools and advanced robotics to digital twin technology — that can help fill the skills gap by reshaping how buildings are designed, constructed, and maintained.

Hybrid Construction Is the Future of the Industry

Written by: Jeevan Kalanithi , Co-Founder and CEO, OpenSpace | The massive shift from working in offices to working in homes has been happening for some time as technology has advanced. What’s surprising is that this trend has deeply affected the real-world industry of construction too—and it looks like this trend is here to stay.

If You Haven’t Implemented That Cutting-Edge Piece of Contech - Now Is the Time

Written by: Laurent Charpentier, CEO, Yooz | It seems most people nowadays are eager to discover new technologies that can enhance their lives - for work and play - and this enthusiasm is particularly prevalent among younger workers who are excited about the potential of artificial intelligence. However, the construction industry is habitually slow in adopting technology, and this lack of eagerness has made it increasingly challenging to attract that young talent.

Implementing Mobile Workforce Solutions in 2022

Written by: Mike Merrill, Co-Founder, Workmax by AboutTime Technologies | The upward mobility of construction companies and their projects weigh in the balance of thousands of intertwined decisions. Without streamlined processes, however, they have the potential to increase inefficiencies, errors, delays, and costs across a company’s project portfolio. Here’s why employing a mobile workforce solution is critical for construction companies.

Improve the Accuracy of Your Construction Estimates by 42% or More With Construction Estimating Software

Written by: Collin Couey, Senior Content Writer, Software Advice | In any construction project, the client is aware that an estimate is not the final number; it’s a roundabout figure. But if your estimate is way off the mark, the client’s project budget will go for a toss and so will your credibility as a contractor or builder.

Innovation and Technology Convergence

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, member of the National Academy of Construction | Broader, more systemic opportunities for innovation will be focused on in this article. The same processes and thought patterns, however, will also deliver meaningful and important incremental innovations, some of which can be quite valuable. The hope is to view the universe of ideas and potential solutions more broadly upon completion of the reading the paper.

Innovative Technology Is Changing Construction Risk Management

Written by: Erin Rotz, Head of Inland Marine & Builders Risk, The Hartford, and Toby Cushing, Head of Construction for Middle & Large Commercial, The Hartford | The construction industry faces significant risk management hurdles from on-the-job injuries and physical damage to their own work and to third parties, caused by human error and natural disasters. These risks are going to be especially concerning as the number or construction projects increase, causing strain on owners and construction staffing, and project managers and safety managers that may be stretched thin.

Inside Telematics Systems & Advancements in Construction Equipment

Written by: Aaron Kleingartner for Construction Business Owner | In recent years, telematics systems have advanced and now offer even more benefits than earlier versions. If you aren’t already taking advantage of these systems, you may be surprised to learn how much information is available to help you better manage your fleet.

Inside the Advantages of Construction Management Software

Written by: Traci VanDalsem, Vice President of Client Experience, RedTeam | Contractors can’t afford slowdowns or inefficiencies during a project. Construction management (CM) software allows for constant communication, documentation, and collaboration, ensuring the project stays on track and on budget. CM software assists the general contractor in all aspects of project review, minimizing risk by creating built-in workflows to ensure no details are missed.

Is the Construction Industry Actually a Technology Hotbed?

Written by: Andrew Silver, Managing Director, Oberon Securities | The construction trades lag behind other sectors in adoption of digital technologies. With a lack of skilled labor continuing to be an impediment to growth and profitability in the construction industry, technological developments could have significant implications for successful adopters.

Jobsite AI Integration Will Aid AI Construction

Written by: Viyas Sundaram, CEO, STACK Construction Technologies | Data centers have been causing quite the stir in recent months, with lofty plans to construct hundreds of buildings nationally. For construction workers, this investment boom has been a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, this means there’s more urgent demand for construction projects, with the immediacy fueling high salary offers, bonuses, paid time off, and steady work.

Lessons Learned From Construction Owners About Software Selection

Written by: Collin Couey, Senior Content Writer, Software Advice | It can be hard to know the right time to invest in software for your business, especially if you don’t think the return on investment can justify the cost. If you’re a small construction business owner who is buying software for the first time, and you want to understand what you need to consider so you can find the best software for your business, you’ve come to the right place.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Build Sustainably and Save Money

Written by: Steven Burke, Senior Director of Sustainability, Suffolk | In the rapidly changing built world, the use of data and new technologies are promising to revolutionize the way buildings are designed and built. Specifically, artificial intelligence (AI) is showing incredible potential and could be a game changer by helping to streamline design, planning, and construction processes and ultimately delivering cost savings for real estate developers and owners.

Leveraging Tech So Your Company Survives and Thrives

Written by: Rahul Kejriwal, CEO, Bricsys, part of Hexagon | The construction industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, with economic uncertainty and fluctuating demand exerting pressure on budgets and resources. As we come to terms with a difficult economic forecast in the coming months, it is more important than ever for leaders and managers to ensure that every dollar spent delivers maximum return on investment (ROI), including information technology (IT) investments.

Maximizing Profit Margins With Project and Information Management Tools

Written by: Victoria Salvador, Senior Director of Performance Marketing, Newforma | Protecting profit margins is crucial for long-term success, and project and information management tools offer powerful solutions to streamline operations, enhance collaboration, and boost efficiency. Read this article to explore how these tools can transform your business and impact your bottom line.

Mistakes in Data Capture Are Costly. Here’s How Contractors Can Avoid Them.

Written by: Matt Hardison, Account Manager, Riskcast | With some of the slimmest profit margins across different industries, an occasional oversight could lead to bad news for construction companies. It can be as easy as a rounding error here, a missed invoice there, or even an accidental overpayment. How do these mistakes happen?

Modern Tools Are Key to Future-Proofing the Construction Industry

Written by: Guillaume Le Gouic, Senior Vice President, Power Systems, Schneider Electric | The U.S. construction industry is facing a tech revolution that’s upending the roles of skilled workers. Many traditional contractors are struggling to embrace the new technologies customers increasingly demand, while the industry struggles to attract young professionals.

Modernizing Construction Performance With Intelligent Platforms

Written by: Karthik Venkatasubramanian, Global Vice President, Data Strategy and Development, Oracle Construction and Engineering | Today’s construction projects generate massive amounts of data. Typically, construction firms use this data to assess what has happened on a project, answering questions such as whether the project is on budget or if the project is on schedule. While looking at this retroactive view of a project can be somewhat helpful in providing indicators that can help identify and fix problems, it does not unlock the full potential of the rich data sets available.

Navigating Change: The Transformative Power of AI in Construction

Written by: Kris Lengieza, Vice President of Global Partnerships and Alliances, Procore Technologies | Technology is a key lever that construction executives can pull to drive growth and maximize their workforce’s potential in today’s evolving landscape. At the forefront of this tech revolution is artificial intelligence (AI), a game-changing technology that has the potential to reshape the way construction projects are planned, executed, and managed.

Navigating the Future: The Pros and Cons of Machine Learning in Operations and Maintenance

Written by: Sean Lein, PE, Senior Engineer, MBP | As the world increasingly embraces technological advancements, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in building commissioning has emerged as a game-changer, especially in maintaining energy efficiency. These intelligent systems can continuously monitor, analyze, and adjust various parameters to ensure optimal performance, which can lead to reduced energy consumption, cost savings, and a smaller environmental footprint.

New Technology Makes Construction More Attractive to Young Recruits

Written by: Carlos Espina, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Innovation, CRH | The construction industry, long associated with traditional methods and labor-intensive processes, is undergoing a radical transformation. Faced with challenges such as inefficiencies, labor shortages, and rising global infrastructure demands, the sector is embracing new technologies to revolutionize productivity and safety.

Non-negotiable Features Your Construction Job Costing Software Must Have

Written by: RedTeam Builder Blog Editors | In construction, even a small miscalculation in job costs can cut deeply into your bottom line. Without accurate job costing, your team can’t forecast profit, track performance, or protect margins. That’s why choosing job costing software with the right features isn’t just important — it’s essential.

Open and Ready for Change

Written by: A.D. Thompson for Constructor Magazine | Why do you think it has taken this long for construction to adopt technological advances?” It’s been a sample question, in various iterations, on this topic, for the past several years. The sources never balk. They answer. And the “blame” generally falls on the construction side. On its older, less tech-savvy demographic. On its resistance to changing “the way they’ve always done things.” This year, however, things were different.

Optimizing Construction Foresight With a Three-Tier Analytics Approach

Written by: Sid Nair, Chief Technology Officer, PlanHub | Historical data plays a crucial role in construction, offering workers and project managers insight into past project trends. These insights facilitate informed decision-making regarding budgeting, resource allocation, potential risks, and project timelines.

Optimizing the Project Delivery Process

Written by: Deborah R. Huso, Creative Director and Founding Partner, Write Well Media | In the construction industry, building information modeling (BIM) plays a central role in leveraging data from both building models and company processes to dramatically improve decision-making capabilities, establish more efficient workflows, and reduce design and building errors and cost overruns.

Organizational and Management Considerations in the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Engineering & Construction Organizations

Bob Prieto, FCMAA, Chairman & CEO, Strategic Program Management, LLC | This Executive Insight focuses on organizational and management considerations that E&C organizations should weigh as they set out on or accelerate their own AI efforts.

Overcoming Obstacles to Drive Digital Transformation in Construction

Written by: Val Ziavras, Engineer, Technical Services, NFPA | The construction industry is becoming increasingly technological. Think of the evolution from drafting tables to CAD, or the introduction of cloud computing, 3D printing, drones, and wearable technology. Despite the clear benefits, there are still challenges when it comes to adopting digital transformation in the construction sector.

Owner-centric BIM - Elevating Building Owners’ Competitive Advantage

Written by: John Stebbins, Senior Program Manager, Anser Advisory, part of Accenture | Over the past two decades, BIM has solidified its place in the building industry by using technology to facilitate BIM-based contract documents (CDs), model coordination, and clash detection. BIM is rapidly evolving into a long-term, management-intensive process throughout the entire building lifecycle.

Power Up the Possibilities With 3D Design for Substations

Written by: Krishna Yalamanchili, PE, Manager, Power Services, Gannett Fleming | In an industry where change is the only constant, staying ahead of technological advancements can seem overwhelming. However, keeping in step with evolving technology offers big benefits, such as increased efficiency and strengthened resilience, particularly in the utility industry. While traditional 2D design methods were once sufficient for substation design, as we embrace technological progress and the growing complexity of infrastructure projects, digital transformation for all components of utility system

Practical Tips for ROI and Software Adoption in Construction

Written by: Victoria Salvador, Senior Director of Performance Marketing, Newforma | Adopting new software in construction isn’t just about picking the right tools — it’s about ensuring your team uses them effectively to deliver real results. Whether it’s email and project communication management systems or building information modeling coordination platforms, the challenge lies in getting everyone on board and integrating these tools into daily workflows. Without proper adoption, even the best software can become an expensive, underutilized investment. Here’s how to make sure your team

Reality Check: Using AI in Construction

Written by: Peter Rifken, Fellow Solutions Consultant, Quickbase | As we look back on 2023, for a lot of businesses across every industry, it was the year of artificial intelligence (AI). Here we take a closer look at the areas where AI can make a difference in streamlining project management, bridging the gaps between field and the office, and boosting productivity by reducing unnecessary overhead.

Recognizing Constructech Capabilities

Written by: Bart Ronan, CEO, Trux | Many construction business owners are now looking at how they can incorporate new software as a service (SaaS) solutions for greater efficiency. The key to successful technology implementation is understanding the needs of your business and carefully evaluating solutions that can meet your current demands and scale with you.

Replace Spreadsheets for Faster, More Accurate Estimating

Written by: Greg Norris, Director of Marketing Communications, B2W Software | “Slow” and “clunky” are adjectives Jeff Sparkowich used to describe estimating with spreadsheets. The estimator at New Hampshire dismantling and sitework contractor S.J. Cantwell says switching to specialized software cut his estimating time in half and increased estimating accuracy by 30%.

Reshaping Supplier Relationships in the Technology Age

Written by: Mitchell Rose, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Corporate Segment, Billtrust | The construction industry has been built on longstanding buyer and supplier relationships formed over years — in some cases, spanning generations — which, in many ways, have become the lifeblood of the industry. However, in today’s complex environment, it’s crucial that construction business owners don’t let this tradition keep them from doing what it takes to succeed.

Rethinking Procurement Through Human-Centered Design

Written by: Melvin Keyani, Environmental, Health, and Safety Director, Dornan Engineering | Construction organizations continue to invest heavily in digital technologies to improve project delivery, operational performance, governance, and workforce management. Digital permit-to-work systems, workforce management platforms, AI-enabled analytics, inspection software, and mobile field applications have become central to digital transformation strategies.

Rise of The Machines? For Construction, Not Yet.

Written by: Matthew Thibault, Associate Editor, Construction Dive | Robots' promises of safety and productivity abound, but issues like impact on jobs, added cost, and specialized training have kept many contractors on the sidelines.

Robots on Construction Sites Are Raising Legal Questions

Written by: Peter C. Sheridan, Chair, Glaser Weil’s Construction Law Practice Group | Mark Twain said that “good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions.” Aesop warns “be careful what you wish for….” But is there a good decision to be made now to employ robots on your next project?

Seven Must-Have Features of Construction Contract Software

Written by: InEight Blog | The following is a helpful checklist of seven of the more critical capabilities you’ll want to have for your best project outcomes. Though some may seem like no-brainers at first as they’re fairly common in most contract software, you’ll want to pay close attention to all seven of them when you’re working with large capital projects.

Sharing Data is the Intelligent Thing to do in Construction

Written by: Jason Dunnam, Vice President of Construction, EMJ Construction | I get it when construction workers worry about how they’ll make a living in the future, and whether machines will take their jobs. Regardless of where you stand on this topic, one thing is for certain: The commercial construction industry is quickly moving to the next stage of AI development. It may not be as catastrophic as some people believe.

Simplifying and Extending a Building's Lifecycle With Digital-Twin Technology

Written by: César Flores-Rodríguez, Chief Division Officer of Planning & Design, Nemetschek Group | The architecture, engineering, construction, and operations industry has experienced tremendous transformations over the past decade, and advances made in digital-twin technology is part of that. A digital twin in the AEC/O industry is a virtual replica of all associated physical buildings, technologies, systems, equipment, and sensors.

Small Changes, Big Results: Successfully Adopting Today’s Construction Tech

Written by: Samantha Rookey, Solution Engineer, InEight, Inc. | Change is hard. This is something that most people, no matter their field of expertise, can agree upon. Giving up a common practice or a familiar way of working is not taken lightly or given up easily. But lately, it seems like resistance to change has been magnified even further in the construction industry as upgraded and new technology floods the market.

Smart Cities: ‘Sensing’ the BIM Opportunity

Written by: Jeff Quantrill, Head of PMO for EMEA with InEight | While the concept of “smart cities” may not be particularly new, the capability to deliver at scale and in a way that truly impacts citizens and communities has only been with us for a few years. Let’s look at how addition and multiplication can lead to real power and where today’s building information modeling (BIM) can play an important part.

Software Consolidation in the AEC Workflow: The Case for Whole-Building Platforms

Software Consolidation in the AEC Workflow: The Case for Whole-Building Platforms | The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is not short on software. In fact, if anything, many engineers and project teams find themselves grappling with an overload of tools. While specialized tools can have their strengths, collaboration with other stakeholders in the design of the building is not generally one of them.

Software Tools Solve Precon Problems

Written by: Aaron Henderson, Director of Enterprise Sales, Stack Construction Technologies | In construction, each project comes with its own set of challenges, but with careful planning and management, many disruptions can be avoided. There are many stakeholders involved in construction projects, and each role depends on the others for success, so anticipating issues is essential to both sides of the bidding process. Most importantly, financial risk can be avoided in the preconstruction phase with a solid process and effective tools.

Solve Historic Construction Challenges With the Technologies of 2022

Written by: Prasoon Shrivastava, Founder and CEO, Zepth | The construction industry is seeing a massive boom in technological advancements. Over the coming months and years, the construction industry will continue to see a rise in technologies such as project management tools, data analysis, BIM, and robotics, as well as virtual, augmented, and mixed reality. Each new technology that the industry adopts provides unquestionable benefits, from safety to efficiency to quality control.

Specialized Software to Keep Your Employees Safe

Written by: Mike Perozek, Technology Sales and Customer Success Leader, Aclaimant | Over the past several years, the pace of digital transformation in construction has accelerated sharply. Indeed, digital transformation in construction is overdue.While there are a variety of reasons why construction productivity has lagged other industries, technology adoption is a big one.

Taming Big Data with Business Intelligence

Written by: Sergio Aranda and Marty Turner (CMAA Emerging Technologies Committee Initiative) | Television programming abounds with commercials promoting the virtues of Business Intelligence (BI). You have all seen the ads telling of “a new way to work.” Sounds great, but were you left wondering if Business Intelligence was really needed in the world of construction management or if the promises of mining Big Data had any useful applications in helping you run your project, your region, or your business operations?

Tech Talk 2021 - This Year, It’s About Connection, Collaboration, and Efficient Automation

Written by: A.D. Thompson for Constructor Magazine | On the jobsite, some of the best tech talks mostly to each other — drones that track progress on builds, and bulldozer blades that move with GPS-based coordinates. They operate on one platform. They share information with each other and key human team members. And all of it moves the construction industry down the field toward optimal efficiency.

Technology and Innovation in the Engineering and Construction Industry

Bob Prieto, FCMAA, Chairman & CEO, Strategic Program Management LLC | The engineering and construction (E&C) industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by technological advancements. Many of these advancements have been developed, are well-documented, and have been successfully adopted in other industries. Early adoption in the E&C industry has largely occurred when owners required a particular technology to be adopted. Despite development in analogous applications in other industries, the E&C industry lags others in technology deployment and innovation.

Technology's Role in Solving the Construction Labor Shortage

Written by: Bob Cain, Business Unit Leader, Residential Construction Industry, ECI Software Solutions | The construction industry is still dealing with a significant labor shortage, and businesses need to adopt new processes and technologies if they are to adapt. Contractors, trade partners, jobsite workers, and construction executives alike know that the industry needs skilled people to work across all aspects of construction. It’s not only the tradespeople working onsite; there are also project managers and technical experts to consider. All these roles require training, and that takes time.

The Bridge Between Safety, Privacy, and Jobsite Efficiency

Written by: Raymond Volpatt, President, Volpatt Construction | Safety is a number one priority, and the team is always exploring new ways to drive home OSHA compliance while ensuring the safest workplace possible. As an industry, however, there is still a lot of work to do when it comes to using technology and data to prevent work-related injuries.

The Built Environment Is Missing An Identity Layer

Written by: Trevor Vick, CEO, UMIP, Inc., and Founder, Global Infrastructure Identity Standard (GIIS) | When two steel columns buckled on the 21st floor of the former Pfizer headquarters in Manhattan this July, the building safety industry watched a familiar sequence unfold. Investigators and engineers scrambled to reconstruct what had happened to the 37-story tower, then mid conversion from office space into more than 1,600 apartments.

The Changing Face of Design and Make Labor: 10 Future Work Trends and Predictions for 2025

Written by: Kimberly Holland, Associate Editorial Director, Southern Living Magazine | Historical advancements in work and labor have all felt revolutionary or even destabilizing in the moment, but embracing change, responding to it, and growing from it has been the success story of many companies. Adapting to constant evolution helps you develop your business or work responsively. Today’s trends offer insight into the changes leaders and industries should pay attention to now – to thrive in the future.

The Digital Industry Continues to Unfold

Written by: Tyler Davey, Chief Executive Officer, Alcumus North America | In the past 250 years, the world has experienced four industrial revolutions. Today, unfolding before us, is the dawn of the fourth industrial revolution: the Internet and the Digital Industry.

The Digital Jobsite - Managing Work Without Paper

Written by: RedTeam Builder Blog Editors | Are you looking for a way to streamline your construction management processes in the field? With jobsite management software, you can do just that. Explore the benefits of using software for the jobsite, key considerations when choosing one, and how it can improve efficiency.

The Future Is Now: How Augmented Reality Is Benefiting Construction

Written by: InEight Blog Editors | As our industry continues its adoption of technology to improve project management, advanced technologies such as augmented reality are also seeing an uptick in serious investment. In fact, while this investment may have been in a decades-long infancy in the construction sphere, it’s now in the middle of a full-on growth spurt, following in the footsteps of, and even enhancing its increasingly popular cousin, building information modeling (BIM).

The Future of BIM, Standards, and Certifications

Written by: Frank Weiss, Senior Director of New Products, BIM, and innovation at Oracle Construction and Engineering | The engineering and construction sector increasingly has incorporated Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a crucial component of project delivery. As such, it’s important for organizations to comply with BIM standards and certifications during the software selection and procurement, both to help mitigate project risk and to save time and money.

The Future of Making Will be Powered by Generative Design and Generative AI

Written by: Mike Haley, Vice President, Autodesk | Design is quickly evolving, thanks in part to technologies like generative design and generative AI. As trust in AI-based processes increases, the benefits follow: better iterations to choose from, faster time from design to production, and better outcomes. In the coming decade, generative design and generative AI will help analyze, automate, and augment design work, leaving humans to do what they do best: create.

The Future of Technology in Construction Management

Written by: Paul Buckley, Senior Technical Advisor, Anser Advisory | Technology is one of the topics discussed in CMAA’s Professional Construction Management (PCM) Course, of which I am an instructor. In previous years, the course focused primarily on Building Information Modeling (BIM), but now focuses on the overall transition to technology in the construction management industry, the role of construction managers (CMs), and the use of technology in each project phase.

The Importance of Modularity, Scalability, And Interoperability In Today’s Construction

Written by: Mike Paul, Managing Director of the Europe, Middle East, and Africa operations, InEight | Lately, the topic of project controls software arises whenever I attend a conference, trade show, or interactive webinar with stakeholders from the construction sector. One question is consistent: How quickly can they can be live in the platform?

The Inevitable, Connected Future of Construction

Written by: Joel Honeyman, Vice President of Global Innovation, Doosan Bobcat North America | It’s no secret that emerging technologies have improved the compact equipment industry. But what’s next? Ultimately, business owners and contractors will have a variety of choices for which types of solutions they incorporate into their operations, and at what time they do so.

The Need for AI in Construction

Written by: Garrett Miller, CCM, Executive Director of Construction and Program Management, Huckabee, Inc. | The construction industry today is dealing with numerous challenges that hinder its efficiency and productivity. Among these challenges are persistent manpower shortages, increasing project complexity due to design and code compliance, and frequent delays leading to significant cost overruns. AI offers various tools to tackle specific problems in the construction industry, making its early adoption essential for overcoming current challenges and ensuring future success.

The New Currency of Construction Projects: Understanding Data in 2024

Written by: Rob Bryant, Executive Vice President, InEight | In today’s digital-first market, data has quickly become more important than even dollars. Data informs decisions, helps us be more productive and efficient, and shapes how we spend our money. Without good data, stakeholders are grasping in the dark — and in an increasingly complex and demanding environment, that’s not just frustrating, but dangerous.

The Right Partnership Can Leverage Software to Improve Operations

Written by: Joel Hoffman, Director of Product Management, Construction, Field Service, and Property Management, Acumatica | Many construction firms are turning to modern business management solutions that offer enhanced capabilities to streamline operations and create a more attractive work environment for the emerging digital workforce. However, effectively implementing these solutions requires more than just the right technology — it requires the expertise of experienced implementation partners.

The Rise of the Smart Site: How Robotics is Rebuilding Construction from the Ground Up

Written by: Nadav Shuruk, COO and Co-founder, Okibo | The construction industry finds itself at a critical juncture, battered by a confluence of pressures that make the adoption of robotic solutions less of an option and more of a necessity. A severe labor shortage, exacerbated by an aging workforce with fewer young people entering the trades, leaves projects struggling to find skilled hands.

The Rising Interest of Exosuits

Written by: Matthew Marino, Director of Ergonomics and Human Factors, HeroWear | This trend in workforce wearables provides a welcome lift to tired workers and heavy workloads.

The Time is Now to Protect Your Firm From Ransomware Attacks

Written by: Stel Valavanis, Founder and CEO, onShore Security | Ransomware attacks are one of the biggest cybersecurity threats to U.S. businesses, and the construction industry is not immune. In fact, it was the most commonly attacked industry in 2022, according to research by NordLocker.

The Value of Drones

Written by: Debra Wood for Constructor Magazine | As increasing numbers of contractors try unmanned aerial vehicles, they are finding more and more ways drones can help them avoid delays, rework, safety issues, and increased costs.

Thermal Imaging Technology Enhances Construction Efficiency and Safety

Written by: Monica Martinez, Project Manager, Skanska USA Building | Revolutionary technologies allow construction firms to improve process and operational strategies, and there is no shortage of revolutionary tech in today’s construction market. Amid game-changers such as 360-degree cameras, laser scanning, BIM coordination, VR, AI, and even more, thermal imaging stands out as a versatile tool with multifaceted applications.

Three Reasons to Consider Connected Construction Management Software

Written by: Rachel Blair Winkler, Vice President and Category General Manager, Trimble Viewpoint | In order to retain current clients and employees and attract the next generation of talent, the industry must be open and interested in incorporating technology into business workflows, which is why connected, cloud-based suites of construction management software are increasingly adopted by contractors.

Three Risks of Using AI in Construction

Written by: Peter Rifken, Fellow Solutions Consultant, Quickbase | Artificial intelligence (AI) can bring benefits to the construction industry. But like any new technology or equipment on a jobsite, you need to learn how to safely operate it to get the most from the investment.

Three Signs Your Business Needs Construction Management Software

Written by: Collin Couey, Senior Content Writer, Software Advice | Businesses in the construction industry are increasingly embracing software to boost the efficiency of their operations, which, in turn, allows them to take on more jobs and increase their profits. Software tools such as construction management and project management solutions benefit your construction firm in three ways.

Three Signs Your Business Needs Construction Management Software

Written by: Miranda O’Bryan, Guest Contributor to Software Advice | In construction, there’s a lot to juggle. Whether you’re on the hunt for construction management or project management solutions to keep you organized and efficient, your construction business can benefit from software tools in three ways: increased productivity, better project supervision, and improved customer experience.

Three Ways Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are Transforming Construction

Written by: Karuna Ammireddy, Senior Director of Research and Development, Autodesk Construction Solutions | Construction firms have increasingly been breaking free of the “way it’s always been done” mentality by embracing new technology. And technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning bring unique opportunities to the construction industry.

Three Ways Live Field Data Improves Job Costing in Construction

Written by: Mike Merrill, Co-Founder & COO, WorkMax by AboutTime Technologies | Job costing can make or break a construction company’s profitability. To stay competitive, build client trust, and safeguard a company’s bottom line, decision makers must identify the precise costs of labor, materials, and overhead. The key to calculating the true cost of projects is timely and accurate data.

To Build Or Buy AI: For Construction, That Is The Question.

Written by: Josh Levy, Co-Founder, CEO, Document Crunch | I’ve spent a lot of time with construction leaders over the past few years. One thing is impossible to miss during our conversations: The race to gain an edge using artificial intelligence (AI) is at full sprint. But not everyone is running in the right direction. Here's the question many companies are now facing head-on when it comes to AI: Do we build an AI solution ourselves or partner with someone who has already done the heavy lifting?

Top Benefits of Using Drones for Small Construction Firms

Written by: Toby Cox, Freelance Writer, Software Advice | If you’re a small construction business owner, perhaps you struggle to manage and monitor remote sites. You might have even considered investing in drone technology to help with this, but you want to make sure it will pay off before you invest.

Top Three Ways to Take the Sting Out of Digital Change Management

Written by: InEight Behind the Build Blog Editors | When it comes to digitalization in construction, we often hear of it being divided into two perspectives: those who are proactive in their transition to tech-based tools and practices, and those who outright fear or are resistant to change of any kind, regardless of the benefits. But it’s not quite so black and white.

Top Three Ways to Take the Sting Out of Digital Change Management

Written by: InEight Blog Writers | When it comes to digitalization in construction, we often hear of it being divided into two perspectives: those who are proactive in their transition to tech-based tools and practices, and those who outright fear or are resistant to change of any kind, regardless of the benefits. But it’s not quite so black and white. There’s a gray area along this digital change management continuum where you’ll find two other scenarios.

Trends for the Construction Industry: Innovation to be Accelerated

Written by: Ron May, Retired Executive, DTE Energy, and a Member of NAC | This article is written from a perspective of the connection of current events in social activity stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and the phenomena of large-scale retirements. How these two intersect is explored in order to further push the construction industry toward innovation. The higher cost of labor, the shortage of skilled trades, supply chain disruptions, and safety concerns make the search for new methods and tools urgently important.

Trends in Construction Technology - The Potential Impact on Project Management & Construction Claims

Written by: Navigant Construction Forum | Technology has transformed the world radically over the last decades. Computers, the internet, the internet of things (“IoT”), solar and wind power generation, and much more have made substantive changes in our personal and professional lives, as well as in the overall economy. Likewise, there have been a number of technology changes impacting construction.

Understanding Tech Options and How They Impact Operations

Written by: Eric Malouff, CEO and Founder, TimeSuite Software | Software selection can be a daunting task, whether it’s for accounting, project management, scheduling, estimating, timecard capture, contact management, or another process. Software becomes part of your infrastructure. Business is about doing better than the competition. Quality, efficiency, customer service, and other processes are impacted by software.

Using Predictive Analytics to Grow Your Construction Business

Written by: Aaron Cohen, Estimate Project Director, InEight | How can companies successfully grow their businesses without being limited to the few experts within the company who possess most of a firm’s institutional knowledge? I believe success will ultimately require a paradigm shift in what we expect from the people we attract and hire into the ranks of our companies.

Vision Setting and Problem Solving: AI in Architecture is Changing Design

Written by: Zach Mortice, Architectural Journalist, Redshift by Autodesk | Artificial Intelligence (AI) in architecture is becoming a pervasive, powerful tool — it’s also a technology that finds itself at an awkward, intermediate stage of development. AI can solve simple, practical problems, like how to arrange a floor plan, with unmatched speed and variation.

Want to Make Your Jobsite Safer? Look to the Skies.

Written by: Rory San Miguel, CEO and Co-Founder, Propeller Aero | Worksites are very complex, and many factors go into creating a safe space. Following suit, innovative operators are looking at advanced technologies to boost onsite safety, including drone data visualization, which involves flying a drone over a site to capture a highly accurate 3D model of current conditions in close to real time. Using drones can’t solve every problem, but it can help not only protect workers but also encourage new ones to join your team.

What is a Digital Twin? How Intelligent Data Models Can Shape the Built World.

Written by: Drew Turney, Writer and Content Creator specializing in Technology and Entertainment | The data produced in AECO industries is robust and mature, and the engineers and technical staff have the expertise and inputs to build digital twins right now. More intelligent deliverables are there for the taking at project handover. It’s the management level that needs to step up and change the paradigm, educating customers about the benefits and making digital twins the new normal.

What the Construction Industry Can Learn from Amazon, Uber, and Google

Written by: Jon Fingland, General Manager, Collaboration Solutions, Trimble Buildings’ General Contractor/Construction | It’s no secret that the digital transformation in construction is already underway. In fact, it’s estimated that full-scale digitization in nonresidential construction could lead to annual cost savings of $700 billion to $1.2 trillion within the next 10 years.

When AI Chatbots Hallucinate, Infrastructure Pays

Written by: Max Mahdi Roozbahani, Senior Lecturer, Georgia Tech | Imagine a team takes a photo near a jobsite. In the background, a work truck on the highway flashes a red beacon. A human understands the context: It is likely a utility vehicle. A generative artificial intelligence (AI) system might label the beacon as “police presence,” infer there was an accident, and summarize the day as an incident. That one incorrect label can appear in a daily report, a safety log, or a claim file months later, complete with a timestamp and a confident narrative that no one intended to create.

Which Construction Technology Investments Actually Move The Needle On Profitability?

Written by: Peter Chambers, Associate Editor, Renovated | Feeling bogged down by all the new choices for construction technology? Don't feel pressured to adopt them all. Construction companies are compelled to adopt the many new technologies promising significant return on investment (ROI). However, it’s critical to step back and distinguish between transformative tools and mere buzzwords in the industry to avoid preventable financial losses.

Why Agentic AI May Herald Golden Age for Procurement

Written by: Keith McFarlane, Chief Technology Officer, Globality | Agentic AI represents a giant leap forward, helping procurement intelligently select high-value suppliers, proactively manage risk, and customize buying for different product categories and markets.

Why AI is Your Estimator’s New Personal Assistant

Written by: Ryan Bender, Junior Product Owner, Stack Construction Technologies | Artificial intelligence (AI) is leading the conversation across the construction industry. As contractors seek new ways to improve efficiency and productivity in estimating, they’re turning to automated processes that eliminate the need for time-consuming, manual work.

Why ChatGPT (Still) Needs a Construction Lawyer

Written by: Matthew Thibault, Reporter, Construction Dive | Two and a half years ago, Construction Dive asked ChatGPT, OpenAI’s large language model, to generate a construction contract on a design-bid-build job for a 600-unit, mixed-use project in San Jose, California. The document, attorneys said, could be legally enforceable — it addressed scope of work, payment terms, a termination clause, and sections on indemnification, insurance, and change orders.

Why ChatGPT Needs a (Construction) Lawyer

Written by: Joe Bousquin, Senior Editor, Construction Dive | Ask ChatGPT to write a design-bid-build contract for a 600-unit, mixed-use project in San Jose, California, and it will spit one out for you. In response to a prompt from Construction Dive, OpenAI’s generative artificial intelligence bot produced a document that included a scope of work, payment terms, a clause for termination, and sections on indemnification, insurance, and change orders, among other terms of legal art specific to construction. But that doesn't mean you should use it on your next project.

Why Having an Integrated Construction Platform is Becoming the New Normal

Written by: Natalie Takacs, Product Manager for Connected Analytics reporting products, InEight | The world seems to turn faster around us every day. As a result, many construction companies are aggressively seeking ways to gain better efficiencies in an effort to save time and money. One way of accomplishing these goals is by adopting an integrated construction platform.

Why Owners Should Require a Digital Twin at Turnover

Written by: Dale Dutton, Virtual Design and Construction Product Engagement and Project Delivery, InEight | As a construction professional, you know there are certain steps to close-out and turnover of a project, from a project team to an operations team. Many challenges can make turnover a grueling event, for you as an owner and for your contractor. Requiring a digital twin at turnover can help.

Will AI Take Your Construction Job? Only if You Want it To.

Written by: Chris Wood, Writer, Construction Dive | Henning Roedel thinks questions about artificial intelligence (AI) taking away jobs in construction miss the point. “We don’t think about how to reduce our staff size, because we have enough backlog and work ahead of us that we need more people,” said Roedel, Robotics Lead for the Innovation Team at Redwood City, California-based DPR Construction. “You need to flip the displacement question around because we currently don’t have enough people in our industry to meet the construction needs of society as it is.”

Workplace Fatality Rates Have Been Stagnant for Decades. Could Robotics Finally Reduce Them?

Written by: Carolyn Crist, Freelance Journalist for HR Dive | Robotics in the workplace may be able to reduce injuries and improve safety across a variety of industries, according to a recent report from the National Safety Council. Overall, U.S. workplace fatality rates haven’t changed much in the past three decades, despite efforts to reduce injury and death. However, newer technologies may be able to help.

Transportation

Aviation Construction Reaching New Heights

Written by: Iraj Ghaemi, Vice President of National Transportation, Suffolk, and former member of the CMAA Board of Directors | Aviation is a resilient industry, and demand for travel appears to be moving in a positive direction. As we look to the future of American airports, contractors must rethink the way they build and design to meet today’s new realities and expectations.

Digital Transformation in Government? Four DOT Best Practices Show It’s Possible

Written by: Zach Mortice, Architectural Journalist, writing for Redshift | Forward-looking transit agencies increasingly see digital efficiencies as a way to maximize public dollars and are transitioning to digital management of construction and maintenance projects.

Elevating Bridges Through Aesthetic Structural Design

Written by: Michael Cuddy, PE, Senior Vice President, GFT | With more than 600,000 bridges in the U.S. National Bridge Inventory — and about 98% of them spanning less than 300 feet — most of our nation’s structures are what I call “workhorse bridges.” They’re essential to our communities, but too often, they’re treated as purely functional, with little consideration given to how they look or how they affect their surroundings. That’s a missed opportunity.

Evaluating Roadway Integrity After a Hurricane

Written by: Dr. Shane Boone, Senior Vice President, BDI, and Ricky Morgan, President, FlawTech America | Mountains of rubble replacing neighborhood homes and large pools of standing water left over from waist-high flooding characterize the landscape of communities following devastating hurricanes. After standing water recedes and debris is cleared, an initial step of emergency workers undertaking hurricane-recovery efforts is to assess and open critical infrastructure.

Exploring San Francisco’s Transportation History and Modern Transit Options

Written by: Leda Christopher, AIA, Assistant Project Manager, Cumming Group | As a transportation professional deeply involved in San Francisco’s transit developments, I’m excited to help those attending CMAA2024 in San Francisco, or those just visiting, navigate the city with ease. San Francisco is renowned for its unique blend of historic charm and cutting-edge innovation, and nowhere is this more apparent than in its diverse transportation options.

How Airports Modernize Without Closing: Designing For Operational Continuity During Construction

Written by: Edward Frankowski, AIA, Principal Architect, GFT; Kelli Pledger, AIA, Architect, GFT; and Sungano Ziswa, AIA, Studio Fly Manager - Senior Project Manager, GFT | Airports are complex, high-performing environments. They’re part transit hub, part workplace, part public square, and for many travelers, the first impression of a city — especially at a busy international airport. They are among the only building types that must remain fully operational during construction. No pauses. No “closed for renovation.” No downtime.

Leveraging Innovation in Infrastructure P3s

Interview with: Gail Lewis, Principal Consultant, HDR Advisory Services Group | P3 partnerships work well when private sector technology and innovation combine with public sector incentives to deliver much needed infrastructure improvements on time, within budget, and with quality at the forefront. As public entities examine and apply this approach, many see more and more situations where it makes sense.

Navigating Four Challenges of Railroad and Highway Coordination

Written by: Daniel Filice, PE, Vice President, Bridges; D. David Moses, PE, Vice President, Transit & Rail; EG Hessenthaler, PE, Vice President, Construction Services; and John Leary, PE, Sr. Project Manager, Bridges, all of Gannett Fleming | From the design stage through the construction phase, understanding the intricacies of railroad and highway coordination is crucial for successful project delivery. Railroad and highway coordination can occur seamlessly by prioritizing efficiency, adhering to regulatory standards, valuing communication, and mitigating potential impacts.

Opportunities in Transportation Construction Services

Interview with: Neil Richards, Construction Control Corporation Prof. Services Director, HDR | In this interview, Neil Richards discusses the attributes of a successful construction services professional, whether working in construction engineering and inspection, construction administration, construction management, or a similar role. He also addresses the importance of keeping employees in the field connected to company culture and the changes he’s seen over his decades in the industry.

Signature Bridges Become Digitally Alive with Parametric Design

Written by: Michael Roberts, Structural Engineer, as part of the HDR Experts Talk interview series | Parametric bridge design is becoming more advanced and is as profoundly different from traditional design as CAD is from drafting with ink on vellum. It forms the critical groundwork needed to support digital design’s transition to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Taking the Road Less Traveled: Highway Construction and the Carbon Credit Bonus

Written by: Tyler Mlakar, University of Arkansas School of Law | Arkansas provides the outdoor enthusiast with a gamut of recreational opportunities. Unfortunately, climate change has the potential to upend all of it. Climate change is a by-product of greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions, which are produced by a number of human activities such as energy production, construction, transportation, and agriculture. Highway construction adds significantly to this carbon footprint, as it accounts for approximately 13% of the construction industry’s CO2 emissions in the United States.

The Future of Transportation: Recruiting and Developing the Next Generation of Leaders

Written by: Kevin Bocock, PE, CCM, Senior Vice President, Transportation Services Leader, MBP | From the evolving use of technology to a shifting workforce landscape, the transportation sector now faces one of the most challenging times in terms of workforce recruitment and development. This article presents thoughts on some of the industry’s biggest questions on what the industry needs to do in order to adapt.

Three Lessons From Some of the Country’s Largest Civil Projects

Written by: Bart Ronan, CEO, Trux | With the passage of the historic infrastructure bill, $1.2 trillion will now be leveraged for much-needed improvements nationwide. While specifics are still being debated on how states will fund which projects, it’s an opportunity for the industry to reflect: What valuable lessons can we learn from major infrastructure projects over the last century?

Vertical Construction

Design and Construction of Structural Steel Work

Written by: Bob Tatum, Cliff Schexnayder, and Joe Hunt, National Academy of Construction members | The technical fundamentals described in this Executive Insight provide a foundation for an increased rate and depth of learning related to the design and construction of structural steel work.

Evolving Climate Patterns and Extreme Weather Demand New Building Methods

Written by: Annette Rubin, CEO, Vero Building Systems | Compared to the rest of the world, most buildings in the United States are relatively young. But most residential and commercial properties could use a makeover.

Modularization Construction Techniques

Written by: Bob Prieto, National Academy of Construction member | Modularization and preassembly are construction techniques in which all or part of sections or facilities are prefabricated or assembled in one location and then transported to the site. Stick-built is a term that refers to a facility being constructed totally at the project site. Modularization and preassembly are one strategy often employed as part of LEAP.

The Built World’s Backbone: Working With Steel

Written by: Zach Mortice, Architectural Journalist | Steel is among the most versatile structural systems, used in many large commercial, institutional, industrial, public, and residential buildings. It’s especially useful for sports stadiums, factories, large-scale agricultural buildings, and warehouses—any building type that requires rugged, durable construction over a large square footage.

What Puts the Fab in Prefab? How BIM and Prefabrication Can Save Time and Money.

Written by: Debra Wood for Constructor Magazine | Although prefabrication has existed for centuries, building information modeling (BIM) and virtual design and construction (VDC) have given the construction method a boost, saving contractors time and money.

Why Modular Has Not Clicked in Commercial Construction

Written by: Sebastian Obando, Reporter, Construction Dive | Offsite building techniques should be a boon for the industry, but modular’s market share in North America is under 6%. Why?

Water/Wastewater

Exploring Reliable Pumping Solutions For Construction

Written by: Steve Mosley, Product Manager, Industrial Flow Solutions | Water appears in the construction industry in many forms, and its role can be either positive or problematic. It is useful when intentionally integrated into a process or when a project involves capturing or reusing water. More often, though, it becomes a problem, especially when groundwater or rainwater accumulates in a recently excavated area.

Harnessing the Power of Renewable Energy: Hydropower

Written by: Randy Bowersox, PE, Hydropower Market Executive, Gannett Fleming | There are many forms of energy, each with its advantages and disadvantages. From water power to solar energy, every option has nuances related to installation, maintenance, and life cycle cost. Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, is energy harnessed by moving water.

The Hidden Costs of Overlooking Drainage Infrastructure Design in Construction Projects

Written by: Martin Alan, CEO, Vodaland | Construction projects, particularly large-scale construction projects, require meticulous planning to stay on schedule and within budget. Yet, one critical factor often underestimated in the early phases is drainage infrastructure design. Overlooking proper drainage planning can lead to delays, structural instability, and costly rework. Flooding, soil erosion, and regulatory setbacks can disrupt timelines and inflate budgets.

Turning the Tide: The Digital Future of Water Management

Written by: Dr. Carolina Venegas Martinez, Senior Strategy Manager, Water Industry, Autodesk | “California Water Wars” might sound like a new reality show for 2023, but in fact, this conflict took place more than 100 years ago, when William Mulholland built the California aqueduct and diverted water from the Owens Valley straight to Los Angeles, leaving the eastern region of the state barren. The unscrupulous tactics — which inspired the 1974 film masterpiece Chinatown — shined a harsh light on the ongoing need for better water management.

Workforce/Productivity/Performance

Unlocking Awareness and Adjusting Your Approach

Written by: Kyle Schmoyer, Contributing Writer, and Kris Corbett, Director, both with Atlas Injury Prevention Solutions | There is a stigma attached to mental health in the United States. Misrepresentation in entertainment and the media has created a general misunderstanding, fear, and negative perception of those battling mental health issues. As a result, those affected are often afraid to tell even their closest friends and family.

"Baker's Dozen" - Keys to Jumpstart Your Career

Written by: Jerry Eyink, member of the National Academy of Construction Over the many decades of our careers, we have had experiences and learned lessons that have led us to develop a “baker’s dozen” of keys that might help you jumpstart your career.

5 Questions for Effectively Recruiting a Younger, More Diverse Workforce

Written by: Paul Robinson, Founder, ConstructReach | Several years ago, the construction industry was faced with a looming concern: the overwhelming number of workers set to retire over the next decade. A study conducted in 2019 determined that 41% of the construction workforce at the time was expected to retire by 2031. This concern has shifted from a future thought to today’s reality, as a large portion of retirement-age workers have begun to leave their jobs.

After Five Years, Construction Still Reels From COVID’s Labor Impact

Written by: Zachary Phillips, Editor, Construction Dive | On March 13, 2020, two days after the World Health Organization classified COVID-19 as a pandemic, the U.S. declared a public health emergency. Uncertainty swirled. Work of all kinds slowed. People isolated themselves, wore masks, and worked or took classes on their devices from their kitchen tables, bedrooms, or home offices. But, as contractors cannot build structures remotely, many projects were deemed “essential,” which meant that in-person activities continued for most construction firms.

Apprenticeships: Not Just for Students and Recent Graduates

Written by: Sophie Bishop, Independent Digital Journalist | With thousands of people still searching for new jobs since COVID-19 hit back in 2020, many are reassessing their options and looking for a potential career change.

Attracting and Retaining Workers Through Learning and Development

Written by: Jarin Schmidt, Chief Experience Officer, Credly | Attracting new workers, while also retaining the talent already within an organization, is top-of-mind for the construction industry, as well as nearly every other industry across sectors. The most recent numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show 384,000 job openings and 327,000 separations in the construction sector in January of 2022. In Q4 last year, 62% of contractors reported high levels of difficulty finding skilled workers. That’s 20 points higher than a year before.

Barriers That Are Hurting Your Hiring and Recruitment Efforts

Written by: Samantha Stephenson, Training Program Manager, Arcoro | Over the past decade, the construction industry has expanded its workforce by tapping into new segments of workers to find much needed talent. Despite the progress, minority groups remain underrepresented in the industry. This is where the work of traditional diversity programs has mostly focused. Overcoming issues related to gender, race, and ethnicity continues to be a priority, but there’s more work to be done.

Boosting Retention and Recruitment Through a Modern Wellness Program

Written by: Lauren Lazar, Director of Program Management, Pivot Onsite Innovations | While there’s been growing investment in infrastructure and construction jobs in recent years, a labor shortage continues to plague the construction industry. An estimated 546,000 additional workers are needed on top of the normal pace for hiring to meet the demand for construction labor in 2023, according to Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Building Stronger Multigenerational Teams In Construction

Written by: Marty McCarthy, CBIZ, and Eric Lopez, Arrowhead Leadership Consulting | The construction industry is entering one of the most challenging workforce eras in its history. Contractors are navigating serious labor shortages, rising complexity on jobsites, and an unprecedented mix of generations working side by side. While this diversity can be a strategic advantage, it can also become a pressure point when expectations, communication styles, and motivations collide.

Career Paths that Lead to Leadership

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | A career path is a long-term plan that includes a series of stops or milestones along one’s career. The stops include jobs, experiences, and learning. A career path is simply a diagram that shows the progression from engineer to business development and the job experiences and learning required at each milestone to succeed.

Career Paths – Why Your Company Needs Them

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | A mid-sized construction management firm invested a good deal of resources in preparing their up-and-coming Project Managers (PMs) to pass their exams and certifications. Eighteen individuals were in the “up-and-coming” group. A curriculum, monthly meetings, annual conferences, mentorships, and site visits were part of the three-year process invested in these individuals. At the end of the three years…more than half left the company.

Construction Superintendent 2.0

Written by: Keyan Zandy, Chief Operating Officer, Skiles Group | The construction industry is quickly evolving — technologies develop, delivery methods transform and the pace with which we are expected to work is rapidly increasing. The skill set superintendents needed to be successful a decade ago is very different today.

Construction Training CEO Urges Industrywide Changes to Draw in New Talent

Written by: Mary Salmonsen, Reporter, Construction Dive | A residential building group has released a list of ideas for combating construction’s long-running labor shortage, including hiring more women, providing more education and training for minority groups, and changing perceptions of careers in construction.

Construction’s Biggest Staffing Struggles for 2024

Written by: Zachary Phillips, Editor, Construction Dive | Construction’s labor struggles will continue in 2024, and it’s not just due to the number of new jobs set to break ground. The reasons for a lack of skilled applicants this year are many.

Construction’s Career Crisis: How Did We Get Here?

Written by: Zachary Phillips, Associate Editor, Construction Dive | Many don't remember a time when there wasn’t a “Help Wanted” sign on most jobsites.Today, the issue is widespread: 92% of contractors have reported difficulty finding construction workers and of those, 42% said they have turned down work because of it, according to the most recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index.

Construction’s Career Crisis: Recruiters Target Young Workers Driving the Great Resignation

Written by: Ryan Golden, Reporter, HR Dive | An increasing number of job seekers are open to something new. The trouble is, few are likely to set their sights on construction.

Continuous Performance Improvement Process

Written by: Joseph W. (Joe) Martinelli, Charter Member, National Academy of Construction | This article defines the Continuous Performance Improvement Processes (CPIPs) and is complemented by a series of articles that provide flowcharts for each of the various processes employed as part of a Plan-Do-Check-Act approach.

Create a Culture of Safety to Improve Labor Recruitment Efforts

Written by: Grant Robbins, Co-Founder and CMO, Billy | The commercial construction industry must rely on skilled labor to survive. Skilled labor, however, is hard to come by. In fact, many construction firms report projects being delayed because of shortages in the workforce. Part of the problem is training. Few companies have the time, resources, or opportunities to train new construction workers.

D&I Training: What Works and What Doesn’t

Written by: Brent Darnell, Owner and President, Brent Darnell International | The following is based on an article by Dr. Jane Bozarth. She did a thorough review of the current research and articles (a study of data) to find out what works and what doesn’t regarding diversity and inclusion (D&I) training. Her measure of the effectiveness of D&I training was simple: Did the training efforts increase minority and women participation in the company?

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Part 2: A Focus on Women

Written by: Brent Darnell, Owner and President, Brent Darnell International | Of the women coming into the AEC industry, many leave within five to eight years. According to Harvard Business Review research in 2008, the main reasons women leave engineering are “hostile, macho cultures, isolation, mysterious career paths, systems linking reward to risk, and extreme work pressures.” Clearly, the profession is not attractive to many young women choosing college majors.

Easy Mentoring: Build a Program That Works

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Managing Consultant/Succession Strategist, The Training Doctor | Mentoring is one of the simplest, most powerful tools we have to grow talent, pass on hard-earned wisdom, and build strong teams. And the best part is, you don’t need a complicated program to make it work. Whether you lead a large firm or a tight-knit crew, you can start mentoring in a way that’s practical, meaningful, and easy to implement. It’s not about policy — it’s about connection.

Embracing My Passion: The Journey to Becoming a Certified Construction Manager (CCM)

Written by: Dennis Milsten, CCM, Director of Federal Programs, SIRIS | Embarking on a career in the built environment presents individuals with a spectrum of opportunities, and the decision between becoming a Certified Construction Manager® (CCM®) or a Professional Engineer (PE) involves careful consideration of personal inclinations, career goals, and the desired impact on the construction industry.

Exploring Industry Shifts Around Mental Health

Donna Laquidara-Carr, Ph.D., Industry Insights Research Director, Dodge Data & Analytics | The construction industry struggles with one of the highest suicide rates of any profession in the U.S., leading to a shift in how companies approach the mental health of their workers. New data from Dodge Construction Network’s Civil Quarterly reveals that civil contractors are beginning to take the issues of mental health, company culture, and substance use seriously. However, the industry will still need to put more in place to fully address this issue.

Factors Affecting Productivity

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, National Academy of Construction Member | Productivity is a measure of efficiency in completing a task. As it is measured, there must be some assurance that what is getting done are the essential elements of a project, those activities along its critical path. While industry practice is often a measurement of overall project productivity, true productivity is associated with activities along the critical path and in complex projects, near critical path activities.

Fellows’ Perspective: Part 8 – How CMAA Chapters Invest in the Next Generation of CMs

Written by: CMAA College of Fellows Communications Committee | Across the country, CMAA Chapters transformed modest beginnings into powerful legacies by turning awards events and scholarships into engines of opportunity. What started as small banquets, golf outings, and campus meetings evolved into enduring traditions that fund scholarships, build mentorship pipelines, and connect classrooms to careers.

Find Qualified Candidates Quickly Despite the Construction Labor Shortage

Written by: Amanda Hahn, CMO, HireVue | The demand for qualified workers in the construction industry is at an all-time high. The United States is more than three million homes short of the demand from would-be homebuyers and there’s ample opportunity for government contracting with the passing of the Infrastructure Bill this year. To address the labor shortage, companies in the construction industry need to rethink how they hire.

Five Essential Tips to Recruit and Retain a Gen Z Workforce in 2025

Written by: John Lack, Construction Consultant, Acuity Insurance | Nearly 23% of construction workers are at least 55 years old. Since the average U.S. construction worker retires in their early sixties, nearly one-fourth of the industry’s workforce is expected to retire within the next decade. This industry exodus could indicate an imminent labor dilemma for construction business owners. But there is hope on the horizon: Gen Z workers.

Five Graphs that Illustrate Construction’s Challenging Year

Written by: Julie Strupp, Editor, Construction Dive | Over the past year, supply chain snarls and pandemic-related uncertainty have continued to affect the construction industry, leading to high materials costs, delays and difficulty finding skilled labor. It’s not all bad news though.

Four Ways Veterans’ Skills Benefit the Construction Industry

Written by: Josh White, President, Hoosier Contractors | The construction industry is a major contributor to the U.S. economy, employing more than 7 million people and creating nearly $1.3 trillion worth of structures annually. An impressive portion of these employees have a military background.

Frosty the Jobsite

Written by: Donald Meeker, President, Summit Safety | Old Man Winter is right around the corner and with him comes dropping temperatures and frigid winds. Any contractor who is called upon to press on in the face of adverse winter conditions should know the importance of listening to your body when it’s trying to communicate to you that it is cold.

Gen Z Frenzy

Written by: Maggie Murphy, Managing Editor, Construction Executive | Six-hundred fifty thousand. That’s the number of skilled trades workers the construction industry needs to hire just to keep up with the current backlog. This exclusive interview sheds light on what Gen Z wants in a career, how and where to reach the incoming workforce, and what proactive steps construction companies can take today to secure the skilled workforce they’ll need to complete tomorrow’s projects.

How Can We Rebuild the Construction Labor Pool?

Written by: Rose Morrison, Freelance Writer | The world is more dependent on the construction industry than ever. The problem is the industry is only as productive as the size of its workforce. Despite offering abundant career opportunities and having a rosy job outlook, the construction sector is losing more people than it attracts. This labor shortage has plagued design-build firms and general contractors for a while. What’s going on? What can policymakers do to rebuild the construction talent pool?

How the Department of Veterans Affairs is Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Written by: Jenna Williams, CCM, Regional Director – Western Region, Office of Design and Construction, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plays a critical role in providing comprehensive healthcare, benefits, and support to millions of veterans across the United States. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential components of any organization striving to create a supportive and welcoming environment for its employees and clients. Within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), these principles are especially critical given the diverse

How to Allot Your Professional Development Dollars

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | If 2022 is the year you start to focus on developing the future-leaders of your organization through professional development, here are some recommendations for the order in which you should invest.

How to Combat Marginalization to Create an Inclusive Workplace

Written by: Masai Lawson, Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition & Inclusion, Gannett Fleming | Have you ever been excluded from something? Marginalization results from discrimination and occurs when a person or group is denied or less able to access opportunities, spaces, or services. Not being included can be crushing and inhibiting on a personal level. Still, marginalization in the workplace can negatively impact company culture and lead to long-term employee engagement and retention issues.

How to Encourage Cross-Generational Collaboration in Construction

Written by: Lauren Weinbaum, President and Founder, Weinbaum Management Group | Today’s workforce is more complex than ever. For the first time in history, the workforce consists of employees from four very different age groups: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. With these groups, it’s possible to have a more than 50-year age gap between employees. The construction industry — like many other industries — is no stranger to this multigenerational workforce.

How to Gain Respect From Experienced Co-Workers

Written by: Matt Verderamo, Consultant, Well Built Construction Consulting | One of the great things about construction is that it is an apprenticeship- and mentorship-based industry. The people with the experience take the next generation under their wing and show them the ropes. But it’s also common for someone in their 20s, 30s, or 40s to run a jobsite, department, or company, while the most experienced people are in a key support role. So, if you fall into that 20s-to-40s bucket, it’s really important that you understand how to navigate relationships with your older, more experienced co

How to Identify and Drive the Right Motivators Within Your Organization

Written by: Gregg M. Schoppman, Consultant, FMI Corporation | Ask any construction leader what they think the most common reason for employee flight is and you will hear a common refrain: money. Between being amid an employee-driven market and within an industry that historically has landed in the lower tiers of attractiveness among younger entry-level workers, it is easy to see how leaders might garner this impression.

How to Manage Generational Gaps on the Jobsite

Written by: Brian Poage, Senior Solution Sales Manager, Raken | As one of the oldest and most established trades, the construction industry employs a large and diverse workforce. You can find contractors from nearly any age group on the jobsite. While construction companies greatly benefit from the different skills and experiences a multigenerational staff brings to the table, it can be difficult to effectively meet their unique needs and expectations.

How To Recruit Young Workers Before It’s Too Late

Written by: John Waters, CEO and Founder, Waters Business Consulting Group | The construction industry is facing a crisis. More and more workers are entering retirement age, and few people are stepping up to take their place. The younger generations were raised in a digital era that promoted university and technology-based fields rather than the trades. Now, we’re seeing a labor gap in the construction industry.

How To Retain Workers When a Megaproject Comes to Town

Written by: Robyn Griggs Lawrence | It can be a struggle for small contractors to keep employees from getting poached when larger projects promise higher wages.

Hurdles and Hidden Opportunities for Women in Construction Tech

Written by: Marge Hart, Vice President of Product Management, Newforma | Reports about the underrepresentation of women in the construction industry are all too familiar. Only a small percentage of jobs in construction are held by women. There may be misconceptions about the number and kinds of opportunities available for women in construction technology.

Industry’s Lack of Diversity is at The Tipping Point

Written by: Brent Darnell, Owner and President, Brent Darnell International | With the emergence from the pandemic and a continuing crisis with workforce development on every level, the old issue of diversity, equity, and inclusion is reaching a tipping point. I would also add the concept of belonging to this list. It’s high time that we create a culture where folks are clamoring to be a part of this amazing industry.

Internal Audit – Its Value to Construction and Engineering

Written by: Bob Prieto, FCMAA, Chairman & CEO, Strategic Program Management, LLC | This article looks at the role, responsibility, and application of internal audit with respect to project performance and contributions to overall engineering and construction company performance.

Interviewing For Leadership Competencies: Five Questions to Ask

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, total job openings in the construction industry are the highest they have been since 2001. If you are a construction industry leader, it behooves you to plan for these vacancies today so that your business is not negatively (or permanently) impacted. One way to be proactive is to look for leadership aptitude in the new-hires you are interviewing today.

Investing in Growth Fosters a More Engaged Workforce

Written by: Kimmie Guthrie, Director of Training, ThompsonGas | Employees’ desire for a more robust work experience continues to increase post-pandemic. As employees are looking to future-proof their careers, they’re seeking opportunities to build deeper connections with others, be part of the bigger vision, and maintain autonomy while mastering new skills and developing their passions. As companies strive to remain competitive, investing in continuous learning and giving employees a chance to grow through stretch assignments has emerged as a game-changing strategy.

It’s Time to Rethink Your Recruitment Tactics

Written by: Imari Bogan, Customer Success Manager, Arcoro | Construction offers a bright and promising future for both business owners and workers. With steady national residential and nonresidential construction spending and a healthy stream of new bid opportunities, employees can enjoy healthy job security while companies pursue growth.

Just Do It — and Other Steps to Success

Written by: Jill Tietjen, member of the National Academy of Construction since 2022 | You can be successful in your life and career. These steps will help propel you: just do it, believe in yourself and your ideas, communicate, value each person and their ideas, have high expectations, love and serve others, and remember to say thank you.

Keeping Workers On Site And In The Industry

Written by: Zachary Phillips, Editor, Construction Dive | Climbing out of the labor shortage requires training new leadership, changing jobsite culture, and investing in technology and safety, experts say.

Leading the Gen Z Construction Workforce Requires Refreshed Tactics

Written by: Laurie Cure, Founder and CEO, Innovative Connections | Over the past five years, labor shortages have continued to put pressure on the construction industry as employers seek to recruit and retain high-quality talent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while the overall growth in the labor market for construction is expected to grow around 4% in the next decade, there were still more than 440,000 job openings reported early last year in the industry, the highest in recorded history.

Major Builders Plan to Keep Hybrid Work Model for Office Employees

Written by: Zachary Phillips, Editor, Construction Dive | It’s no surprise that in-person construction continued through the pandemic. Nevertheless, the pandemic did provide a wake-up call, or at least an opportunity, for contractors to think differently about their offices, project planning, and time management. That new mindset is likely to continue in the post-pandemic world, as many U.S. builders have already adapted different schedules, new technology and hiring practices in line with a hybrid work model.

Meet Gen Z – Your Future Leaders

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | You’ve heard it enough in the last few years: The newest generation to enter the workforce (Gen Z; defined by Pew Research Center as those born between 1997 - 2012) is upon us and they have their own way of thinking and doing things. The good news is, this generation is motivated, driven, creative, pragmatic, tech-savvy, innovative, and entrepreneurial-minded.

Modern Technology Provides the Solution for Recruiting New Employees

Written by: Phil Ogilby, CEO, Stack Construction Technologies | Employees are the backbone of every company, no matter what industry they are in. In the construction industry, recruiting is more important now than ever before. That’s where technology begins to play a major role in the modern workforce. With the workforce changing and skewing toward younger generations, the desire for technology could provide the basis for an individual’s interest in joining your company.

Navigating Construction Company Relationships During a Building Boom

Written by: Adam E. Richards, Partner, Berger Singerman | South Florida, and in particular, Miami-Dade County, has experienced a construction boom in the last decade that rivals that of any other big city nationally. The explosion of development has not slowed down and may actually be picking up, not only in terms of units but in terms of scope as well.

Navigating Workforce Challenges: Insights for Construction Companies

Written by: Greg Belpomme, Construction Partner, Heron Wolf | Engaging with a majority of construction companies across the U.S. reveals a common theme - the perpetual need for skilled professionals. From the long-standing need for estimators to licensed professional engineers amid a surge in design-build projects to project managers well-versed in state building regulations, the demand for specialized talent is palpable.

Nine Critical Strategies to Attract and Retain New Workers

Written by: John Manzella, Speaker, Author, Columnist, The Manzella Report | If you can’t find construction workers, you’re not alone. At each keynote speech I give, I ask the audience to raise their hands if it’s difficult to hire new employees and then retain them. Just about everyone raises their hand. What can companies do to attract more workers and retain them longer? Here are nine strategies.

On Worker Wellness in Construction

Written by: A.D. Thompson for Constructor Magazine | For most of the history of the construction industry, says Cal Beyer, the topic of mental health has been taboo. Addressing things like depression and substance misuse were nonstarters. These days, however, things are trending positive. Companies across the spectrum have been stepping up to address and de-stigmatize mental health among construction workers, addressing not only the industry’s high rates of suicide — but its contributing factors.

Onboarding: The First 90 Days are Critical

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | The first 90 days of the onboarding process are critical because that is often the time period in which the new hire chooses to stay or cut their losses and leave. Given the amount of time and effort you and your organization put into recruiting, interviewing, vetting, and hiring new employees, it’s a huge loss. It’s wise to put in a little bit extra effort to ensure that the new hire’s first 90 days go smoothly.

Overcome Barriers to Addressing Mental Health in the Workplace

Written by: Cal Beyer, Vice President of Workforce Risk and Worker Wellbeing, CSDZ | After leading hundreds of live and virtual presentations and group conversations on mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention in the workplace, several recurring barriers have been identified that limit leaders and organizations from addressing these topics.

Preparing for Performance Appraisals

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | Spring seems to be the season for performance appraisals. For decades now employees have been afraid of them and managers dread doing them. The problem is: most performance appraisals look backwards. If you structure the conversation to look forward you create a mutually gratifying conversation for both leader and employee.

Preparing For The Infrastructure Boom During a Labor Shortage

Written by: InEight Blog Editors | The injection of billions into repairing aging, deteriorating infrastructures is a welcome development. But an injection of labor is what industries like construction and manufacturing will need in order to effectively tackle and succeed at those projects.

Project Management Amidst the Continuing Construction Labor Shortage

Written by: Rose Morrison, Freelance Writer | Being a construction project manager today is a roller coaster, especially if your company is suffering from the labor shortage affecting the nation. It can be disheartening because construction work is always needed, and there is something for everyone. Since you can’t force people to enter a vital and rewarding industry, it’s essential to focus on what you can control. Here’s what to know about the labor shortage, managing projects with fewer workers, and how to attract new ones.

Prologue 2022: The Workforce Recruitment and Retention Challenge

In 2022, CMAA convened a diverse panel of 14 program and construction management leaders to discuss workforce recruitment and retention to overcome the current and ongoing talent shortage. The group concluded that if the industry creates a greater understanding of program and construction management and its impact on communities, more defined, diverse, and attractive career paths, and a more supportive, equitable, and performance-based work culture, it will have positive effects on both attracting and retaining talent.

Prologue 2023: The Workforce Recruitment and Retention Challenge - One Year Later

In 2023, CMAA hosted two symposia to review the lessons learned from the 2022 “Prologue” discussion on the talent shortage in the program and construction management industry, examine the industry’s progress, and provide additional recommendations. The symposia were collaborative discussions that focused on two of the Prologue’s main themes: “Workforce Development” and “Inclusive Work Environments.”

Quality is Job One: Teaching Construction Quality Management to the Next Generation of CMs

Written by: Edward C. Newman III, PE, CCM, First Vice President, Federal Programs at Hill International, Inc. | Many of Hill International, Inc.’s senior leaders give back to the industry by teaching the next generation of construction managers about the services PM/CM firms provide.

Recruiting and Retaining Military Veterans in the Construction Industry

Written by: Shane McKenzie, Director-Veterans Program, and Sean Perseo, Ambassador-Outreach Programs, Sunbelt Rentals | Reentering civilian life after serving in the military can be extremely difficult for veterans, especially when it comes to finding meaningful, long-term employment. The goal is to align the knowledge, skills, and abilities developed during military service to work in the most significant way.

Redefining the Construction Professional

Written by: Dennis Milsten, CCM, Director of Federal Programs, SIRIS | The term “construction professional” typically refers to occupations requiring a college degree or certification, including engineers, architects, and construction managers. This traditional division has historically undervalued the expertise of tradespeople, contributing to a skewed understanding of the workforce. Given today’s highly segmented and specialized construction industry, it is important to recognize that many tradespeople possess skills and professionalism equal to their counterparts in supervisory or design

Revamp Your Employee Training Program to Attract the 2024 Workforce

Written by: Tony DiSilvestro, Founder, Ynot Enterprises | 2023 was the year of the labor shortage for the construction industry, caused and continued by a multitude of factors, including early retirements and low levels of younger generation workers who possess the skills to fill the employment gaps. That’s why implementing a systemized, ongoing training process is crucial in 2024.

Safety, Mental Health, and Peak Performance

Written by: Brent Darnell, Owner and President, Brent Darnell International | The construction industry has always been stressful, but according to a recent global study compiled by the International Metal Worker’s Federation, stress and burnout are on the rise around the world. Our workers are being asked to do more with less. The physical, emotional, and mental demands are tremendous. What can be done?

Screening Can Wrongly Eliminate Potential Tradesworkers

Written by: Jen A. Miller for Construction Dive | As the construction industry continues to trudge through a historic and long-standing labor shortage, contractors are trying to find qualified job candidates every way they can. But relying on traditional methods, especially when it comes to technology for identifying potential employees, can fall flat.

Skip the Shortage & Land Better Long-Term Recruits

Written by: Michel Richer, Content Marketing Manager, Bridgit | The skilled labor shortage in construction has been top of mind for the industry since the Great Recession, but the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and the upcoming slew of retiring baby boomers has contractors’ concerns at an all-time high. There are, however, technological and software solutions that can help contractors.

Strategies for Tackling Workforce Challenges at Your Construction Company

Written by: Brett Addis, Director, Moss Adams | The current construction industry outlook indicates that challenges with workforce supply and demand will continue well into the future. Businesses can help weather these ongoing challenges by gaining a clear understanding of critical issues and strategies on top of current recruitment and retention efforts that can position them for ongoing success.

Successful Mentorship Is a Two-Way Street

Written by: Nancy Novak, Chief Innovation Officer, Compass Datacenters | The most powerful form of mentorship is bidirectional, where senior and junior colleagues come together to provide valuable counsel to one another through their differing perspectives, complementary skills, and collective insights. In this scenario, the young professional benefits from hard-earned insights and advice, while the experienced professional benefits from new perspectives that help strengthen problem-solving, strategizing, communication, and leadership.

Summary Report on Trends in Compensation and Benefits

As part of its commitment to developing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce, CMAA conducted two salary surveys of emailable CMAA members, credential holders, and non-members in May 2018 and December 2021-January 2022. The purpose of this research was to gather compensation and benefits information among those employed full-time in the construction industry. This document summarizes some significant differences between the results from each study which CMAA believes will be of interest to the industry.

Technology and HR: A Symbiotic Relationship

Written by: Chad Halvorson, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Advisor, When I Work | According to a recent survey of managers in construction and similar industries, more than a third of construction managers said technology, like smartphones and tablets, would help speed up the onboarding process. But a mere 16% of construction companies are using this technology currently.

The Best Laid Plans in Pandemic Times

Written by: Susan Stewart, CCM, Senior Project Manager, Parsons | The COVID-19 pandemic changed our world dramatically on a lot of levels, and we’re still adjusting. The rules tend to blur, sometimes week to week. How do you plan for your future when there are so many factors out of your control in the world and in society?

The Construction Industry’s Labor Crisis: Can AI Bridge the Workforce Gap?

Written by: Francesco Iorio, CEO and Cofounder, Augmenta | The construction industry is facing a severe labor shortage. The workforce is aging as projects become increasingly complex and economic pressures demand greater efficiency. Fortunately, AI has the potential to attract a new generation of tech-savvy talent to the industry, ensuring its continued growth and innovation.

The Evolving Role Of The Transportation Workforce: Delivering Leadership And Professionalism

Written by: Kevin Bocock, PE, CCM, Senior Vice President, Transportation Services Leader, MBP, and Josh Lawrence, PE, CCM, Vice President, Service Line Manager, MBP | A prior article looked at the importance of recruiting and developing the next generation of transportation professionals. Bringing new people into the industry is an important step, but understanding what qualities they must possess once in their roles is equally important. Construction managers and inspectors play a critical role in the success of transportation projects, and they must be poised to contribute meaningfully.

The Hardest Construction Jobs to Fill

Written by: Zachary Phillips, Editor, Construction Dive | Construction needs to find more workers, and there are no easy-to-fill jobs in the industry. The number of workers in construction has failed to meet the high demand. Fewer new workers have joined the industry, and retention has remained low as experienced workers retire.

The Hidden Margin Killers Lurking In Construction Financial Processes

Written by: John Meibers, Vice President and General Manager, Deltek ComputerEase | Construction companies spend a lot of time chasing margins — negotiating better contracts, tightening estimates, and managing risk on the jobsite. Yet for many contractors, profit erosion isn’t coming from bad jobs, tough owners, or one catastrophic failure. It’s happening quietly, behind the scenes, in everyday financial processes that feel “good enough.”

The Importance of Upskilling Your Construction Employees

Written by: Kit Dickinson, Industry Executive, ADP | Despite an abundance of construction work, it’s no secret that filling construction jobs has gotten more difficult in the past few years. As seasoned employees retire, recruiting the younger workforce into the trades has to be a priority moving forward. However, the key is to not only attract new workers but also to retain them.

The Talent Show

Written by: Rachel E. O’Connell, Assistant Editor, Construction Executive | By the end of 2021, the construction industry had 430,000 unfilled positions — and the situation isn’t looking any better for the foreseeable future. Construction Executive talked to leaders across the industry about the challenges of the talent shortage and how construction can evolve to overcome them.

The Top 7 – Cost Free – Ways to Build Leadership Skills in Your Employees

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | Developing a leadership pipeline in the A/E/C industry has reached a crisis level and you must act on it for the future survival of your organization.

Three Reasons Contractors Should Hire More Women!

Written by: Tim Taylor, PE, Ph.D., Director of Research, National Center for Construction Education and Research | We need more of the right people for the construction industry to keep pace with project demand. Statistics show that for every four people leaving the industry, only one enters. But keeping up is not just about numbers.

Three Tips for Training and Retaining a New Generation of Craft Workers

Written by: Aaron Calhoon, Director of Operations, Mortenson Denver | We have all seen the stats: The industry needs hundreds of thousands more craft workers to meet demand in the next year alone. One company has been working for a number of years on refining strategies for recruiting, training, and keeping a thriving craft workforce. The result is a 90% overall retention rate and a more diversified workforce than the industry average.

Three Ways Contractors Can Combat Labor Shortages

Written by: Nemanja Simic, Content Writer, Bridgit | The labor shortage in construction is nothing new. The pandemic amplified the impact, but contractors have been seeing fewer and fewer recruits even before the housing crisis in 2008. Being proactive and planning your workforce months or years in advance can prevent these problems completely and arm contractors with the foresight to handle constraints before they arise.

Three Ways to Step Up Your Hiring Habits

Written by: Scott Minto, Business Development Executive, Aerotek | The construction industry has been experiencing labor shortages for some time, but as we enter 2022, the industry is finding obstacles and challenges like never before in hiring and retaining a skilled workforce. As contractors gear up for another year of accelerated growth, 74% of construction firms plan to hire.

Upskilling and Reskilling Your Workforce

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor |There has been a lot of chatter in the popular press lately about “upskilling” and “reskilling” your employees for the future. Upskilling involves giving your employees capabilities they didn’t have when they first came to work for you or first filled a role. Reskilling is often necessary because a job becomes obsolete due to advances in technology.

We Build Our Construction Managers From Within

Written by: Eric Tallarita, PE, CCM, Director, RE Services | The construction industry spends a great deal of time talking about a talent shortage. In my experience, that is only part of the story. What we often have is a development shortage. Every construction management firm is looking for experienced resident engineers, construction managers, and office engineers.

What is Intersectionality in the Workplace?

Written by: Masai Lawson, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition and Inclusion, Gannett Fleming | Intersectionality is a concept coined by author, professor, scholar, and civil rights advocate Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, which describes how various characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, class, religion, sexual orientation, age, and disability intersect and impact the experiences of marginalized people and groups.

What Women Want: Building a More Inclusive Future in Construction

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Managing Consultant/Succession Strategist, The Training Doctor | According to a recent study of over 700 women in the trades, nearly 70% said they wanted to move into leadership, but didn’t see a path in their company to get there. And 57% reported they had never had a female supervisor. The fix? Show them the path.

What’s Not On Your Corporate Dashboard?

Written by: Gregg M. Schoppman, Partner, FMI Corporation | Seeing a voluminous list of personal medical metrics made me think of the countless times a construction organization simply looks at their profit-and-loss statement, sees a modicum of gain and thinks, “Well, we’re having a decent year.” Unfortunately, they are seeing client attrition, employee departures, endless warranty callbacks, etc., and that decent year is the fifth in a declining trend of overall profitability. But they’re making money, right? It’s a little like seeing an “OK weight” on the scale, only to be one step away from

What’s the Difference Between Coaching and Mentoring?

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | The purpose of this article is to clear up a common misconception I hear when speaking with CEOs, COOs, or HR folks in these firms: There is a significant difference between coaching and mentoring. Both approaches can contribute to your employees’ professional development, but not in the same way.

Which is Most Important for Future Success? Employee Skills or Capabilities?

Written by: Dr. Nanette Miner, Leadership Development and Workplace-Learning Strategy Consultant, The Training Doctor | There has been a lot of chatter in both the trade and popular press about how U.S. workers must be reskilled in order for the U.S. to remain competitive in the rapidly changing future.

Why Employee Development is the Key to Everything

Written by: Richard Walker, CEO, XL Construction | The future of our industry is in a state of flux. From an increased demand for talent to more focus on cost competitiveness, disruptions are afoot. While analyzing your business model and tightening operating procedures are important, it is even more important to focus on one critical asset: your people.

Women in Construction Note Positive Changes, Lingering Problems in the Industry

Written by: Lori J. Drake, Payment Professionals Community Manager, Levelset | While the number of women working in construction has remained consistent for nearly two decades, a recent survey of over 500 women in the industry reveals a largely positive experience. Women represent just 11% of the construction workforce, which means that around 1 million women are working in the industry as of 2021.

Women in Construction: 2021 Brought Diversity, Opportunity, and a New Narrative

Written by: Elizabeth Rosselle, Freelance Journalist, Copywriter, and Designer | As women in construction strive to close the gender gap, the face of the industry is changing—fast. And in 2021, these diverse groups in the construction industry are the next frontier in the industry’s evolution.

Women in Construction: Building the Future

Written by: Donna Bahena, Director of Corporate Marketing, Engel Burman | The increasing presence of women in the construction industry is driving change and positively impacting the businesses for which they work. Their influence on the industry will extend far beyond the current day as they are paving the way for future generations of young women to seriously consider a career in construction.

Worker Shortage Intensifies Despite Sluggish Recovery

Written by: Ken Simonson, Chief Economist, AGC of America | Contractors are struggling to fill openings, even though many firms have smaller workforces than a year ago, so say respondents to a recent workforce survey. One-third of the more than 2,100 respondents reported their headcount was lower than one year earlier.