Reasons Construction Projects Go Bad
Engineers — by Alton Heathcoat, representing the Society of Professional Engineers
- Poor understanding between the parties involved
- Failure to receive timely approvals and permits
- Design errors
- Designing to "wants" not "needs"
- Design changed to fit budget
- Poor onsite inspection
- Poor contractor quality
- Untimely delivery of equipment, reports, payments
Contractors — by Ron Crutcher, representing the Association of General Contractors
- Poor plans and specifications
- Unclear areas of responsibility and authority
- Delays: weather, deliveries, design details
- Payment delays
- Disputes: Who can stop work?
Owners — by Larry McElroy, representing Consolidated Utility District, Rutherford Co.
- Delays: TDOT, other utilities
- Misunderstandings between parties involved
- Too many bosses
- Professional incompetence of the parties involved
- Gray contract language
Financial — by SCORE members
- Incomplete forms and applications
- Inadequate financial resources
- Incompetence of the parties involved
- No central clearinghouse
Construction Managers — by Earl Sizemore, P.E., representing Sizemore Consulting
- Poor communication
- Poor plans and specifications
- Inexperienced contractors
- Financial confusion, pay requests, change orders, retainage, payment delays
Legal Perspective — by R. Loy Waldrop Jr., representing Lewis, King, Krieg, Waldrop & Cantron, P.C.
- Poor direction and project definition
- Project and funding mismatched
- Personnel quality
- Poor conflict resolution
Root Causes of Failed Construction Projects
Shortage of:
- Skill
- Effective Communications
- Knowledge
- Time
- Money