Architects/Engineers Professional Network

Practice Notes

In-depth risk management white papers and topics of interest for design professionals.

Published by a/e ProNet, Practice Notes provide in-depth, cutting-edge risk management information for more effective practice management. Select back issues listed below are available free of charge.

PRACTICE NOTES back issues - Short Listing [Long Listing]

Practice Notes Categories:

  1. Business and Office Management Issues
  2. Contract Review and Negotiation
  3. Legal Concepts
  4. Professional Liability Insurance
  5. Professional Practices

The following are select issues are free to download.

Business and Office Management Issues

"How to Select a Professional Liability Insurance Broker," Vol. 1, No. 1. July, 1988. The American Institute of Architects edition, 1993.

"CADD Risk Management," Vol. 7, No. 1. January, 1994.

"Records and Information Management: Meeting the Challenge," Vol. 7, No. 3. August, 1994.

"Limited Liability Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies," Vol. 12, No. 1., 1999.

"Construction Contracts and Bankruptcy: The Ultimate in 'Value Engineering'," Vol. 14, No. 1., 2002.

"An Introduction to Typical Liability and Property Insurance Coverages for Design Professionals," Vol. 15, No. 1., 2003.

Contract Review and Negotiation

Owner-Drafted Contracts: Gaps, Chasms, Black Holes, and Good Backfill You Can Use," Vol. 3, No. 3. September, 1990.

"Indemnification: How to Identify Unacceptable Risks and Get Them Out of Your Agreements," Volume 4, No. 2. December, 1991.

"What's New or Different in the 1997 B-141," Vol. 11, No. 1, February, 1998.

"To B141 or Not to B141? That is the Question (and the B151 may be the answer)," Vol. 11, No.2, September, 1998.

"How Design Professional Service Contracts Work," Vol. 13, No.1, April, 2001.

Legal Concepts

"An Architect Looks at the Standard of Care," Vol. 2, No. 2. April, 1989.

"Indemnification: Counting Coup in Ancient Ways and Courtroom Days," Vol. 4, No. 1, April, 1991.

"The Architectural Works Copyright Protection Act of 1990," Vol. 5, No. 2. November, 1992.

"The Americans with Disabilities Act: Accommodating the Public," Vol. 6, No. 1. July, 1993.

"Court Sanctions for Frivolous and Improper Litigation," Vol. 6, No. 2. October, 1993.

"CERCLA 'Arranger' Liability: Emerging Risk for Environmental Consultants," Vol. 7, No. 2. April, 1994.

"Alternative Dispute Resolution: There is a Better Way," Vol. 8, No. 1. April, 1995.

"Legal Aspects and Risk Management of Design/Build Contracts," Vol. 9, No. 1. May, 1996.

Professional Liability Insurance

Practice Notes for this category are time sensitive and are removed when information is no longer relevant.

Professional Practices

"Certifications: The Owner is on the Phone, and the Lender Wants these Papers Signed Now!" Vol. 2, No. 1. January, 1989.

"A Manual for Project Representatives," Vol. 2, No. 3. July, 1989.

"Quality Paradigm: Values, Goals, Controls, Information, and Consciousness," Vol. 3, No. 2. May, 1990.

"Contractor's Insurance and Bonds: Essential Tools for Successful Projects," Vol. 5, No. 1. August, 1992.

"over-anxious avoidance of responsibility...herein...Limitation of liability," Vol. 10, No.1. June 1997.

"Understanding and Developing a Risk Management Policy for Condominium Projects," Vol. 16, No.1. 2006.

"The Cost of Perfection – A Design Professional's Perspective," Vol. 17, No.1. 2007.