Construction Management at Risk - Design-Build for Water and Wastewater Projects - page 308

E xit 29 Water Pollution Control Plant

Managing change with a defined
methodology will help to preserve the
collaborative nature of CMAR delivery
effort, as all parties are committed to the
ultimate goal of resolution, rather than
focusing on assigning blame or preparing
defenses. To avoid project delays, proce-
dures for managing changes need to be
prepared. First, a measurement and pay-
ment structure must define allowable
costs of the work and provide flexibility
to accommodate changes without delay or
blame among the team. Throughout the
change process, each party must remain
committed to resolving the impacts to the
project to the extent of their responsibil-
ity. Finally, a process should be defined
to mitigate any unforeseen events that
may occur throughout the project. This
process can be similar to the mechanism
used to evaluate and price change orders.
Establishing clear guidelines for change
management will help to preserve the collaborative environment that is necessary for a
successful CMAR project.
The need for any changes to the scope, schedule, or budget should be brought to
the attention of the owner's contract manager as soon as it is recognized. The owner, the
designer, and the CMAR should discuss the issue immediately and reach agreement on
the changes that are deemed necessary. The changes, actions to be taken, and anticipated
impacts on the project should be documented to avoid, or at least minimize, the need to
revisit the decisions at a later date.

Expansion: This 2 mgd (7.6 ML/d) waste-

water plant was designed and constructed

using the CMAR delivery model. Glynn

County (GA) Department of Engineering

Services staff desired collaboration with the

contractor during design, due to challenging

site conditions. Staff was very pleased with

how CMAR worked: “In my over 30 years of

experience, I have never had a project of this

scope and magnitude go so well. The project

was completed on time and under budget.”

—Paul J. Bruner, Jr., P.E., County Engineer.

REFERENCES

Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America. 2010. http://www.agc.org/cs/indus-
try_topics/project_delivery/CMARatrisk. Accessed on June 7, 2010.
Beard, J. L., Loulakis, M. C., Wundram, E. L. 2001. Design-Build Planning Through Devel-
opment. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill.
Construction Management Association of America. 2010. Construction Management Stan-
dards of Practice . McLean, Va.: CMAA.
Water Design-Build Council (WDBC). 2011. The Municipal Water and Wastewater Design-
Build Handbook , 2nd ed. Washington, D.C.: Water Design-Build Council.