#55 - Case History - Clients looking for the lowest cost have high expectations!

GBA Case History Series – Case History #55 - Clients looking for the lowest cost have high expectations!

Summary

An auto parts manufacturer hires a GBA member-firm to develop remediation recommendations for the contaminated area where underground storage tanks leaked. The client did not accept the recommendations of the consultant and pressed for a quicker alternative. When the contaminant was discovered in a larger area, the client accused the consultant of breach of conduct.

Our Hosts:

• Elizabeth Brown, PE - National Practice Team Manager - Geotechnical/Atlas Technical Consultants

Elizabeth is the National Practice Team Manager - Geotechnical at Atlas Technical Consultants in Boise, Idaho. Elizabeth has performed and/or assisted with numerous geotechnical investigations throughout Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming managing projects, providing geotechnical design, project quality control, cost and value engineering, and evaluating geotechnical constructability issues.

• Abi Corbett – Project Consultant/SME.

Abi is a Project Consultant at SME experienced in managing a variety of steel, concrete, coatings, and nondestructive testing projects. She specializes in managing projects related to DOT fabrication quality assurance reviews but also supports project managers throughout SME’s various service groups.

Lessons Learned:

• Clients' and client representatives' attitudes are important aspects of any effective go/no-go analysis.
• When the principal client representative has little understanding of the situation, and refuses to spend the time required to gain essential education, a claims problem is almost guaranteed.
• Strong communication is vital to successful projects and client relationships.
• Contracts lay the foundation for a project's outcome so their review is essential.
• Risk should be managed proactively and already having the right legal counsel on your team is extremely valuable.

Calls-to-action:

• Download Case History #55
• Visit the following link to access all of GBA’s Case Histories: https://www.geoprofessional.org/gba-case-histories/
• An account is required to download the individual Case Histories, which are free for GBA Member Firms.
• Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for other training resources and reference materials and/or to become a member.
• Visit https://www.gbapodcast.com for future Podcast Episodes
• Contact us at info@geoprofessional.org with any podcast-related questions or comments

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This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

• Abi Corbett – Project Consultant/SME.
• Elizabeth Brown, PE - National Practice Team Manager - Geotechnical/Atlas Technical Consultants
• Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/PBS Engineering and Environmental