The following is an excerpt from the October issue of a/e ProNet’s monthly publication, ProNetwork News, now public and available on our website.
Excerpted from an article by Drew Seaman and Tom Waggoner of Straub, Seaman & Allen, P.C., St. Joseph and Grandville, Michigan. This is the second of two parts. You may access previous issues of our ProNetwork News here.
“In the last issue, we presented the first of two parts of a practical guide to risk management protocols for the design professional. We first addressed the selection of clients and projects, and recommended that both be assessed in light of your firm’s strengths and culture before engagement.
We then presented a detailed list of tips on how to navigate the sometimes-treacherous waters of the contract. The most important take-away from this section is that your firm needs to establish and maintain a document and contract review process, helmed by your most able staff, and to enlist the aid and counsel of an attorney who is an expert in the field.
We will now address the final four topics in our risk management procedure review:
• Communications
• Contract Document Reviews
• Surveys
• Construction/Contract Administration
Communication
No one piece of risk management advice is more repeated, or more important, than to document all communications throughout the course of the project. All communications, including oral conversations, should be documented in some fashion.
Your firm’s communication protocol should address these matters:
• Letters, notes, memos, e-mails and plans and specifications
• Protocols for file documentation”
Click here for the full-length PDF version of this article.
ProNetwork News is the latest value-added resource produced by a/e ProNet. Each monthly edition includes an informative, timely article relevant to the design industry and authored by an industry expert. Contact your local a/e ProNet broker for early access to these excellent newsletters.
