| 2 Aug 2010 |
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Contracts Managers’ top two challenges are ‘extensions of time’ and ‘variations to scope’
In a recent survey of the construction industry, where Project Managers and Contracts Managers were asked what their biggest challenges were in dealing with contracts, an overwhelming 32% said that ‘Extensions of time, delays and disruptions’ was the most difficult of them all.
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| 6 Jul 2010 |
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How do we get more women into engineering?
Engineering can be a rich and rewarding career path however women are still under-represented, accounting for a low percentage of graduates entering the work force. The University of Technology Sydney1 estimate that women account for just six per cent of practicing professional engineers and only fifteen per cent of enrolments in engineering degree courses. It’s a real challenge for an industry facing a skills crisis in Australia.
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| 6 Jun 2010 |
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The Garrison Report #2010-6
The worst construction industry recession that anyone in the trade has experienced is causing many companies to seek new types of work. But is that the right decision for your company? There is no definitive answer to that question because every situation is different. For example, if 30 years ago you were building nuclear power plants, you would have had to change niches no matter what. But for most contractors, it’s not that simple.
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| 6 Jun 2010 |
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Timms Contracting Pty Ltd v Pipes International (Qld) Pty Ltd [2010]
This case considered a claim for damages brought under a contract for the construction of a ‘hardstand’ at an industrial site in Brisbane. Perhaps the most important issue considered by the Judge Philippides J was whether or not the contract is question could be considered to be a ‘design and construct’ contract.
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| 11 Apr 2010 |
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How to avoid the wrath of the Security of Payments Act?
Most of us in the construction industry know about the Security of Payments Act. What is scary is the number of people who do not use the Act correctly. The white paper, released in May 2010, will explain how the Act works, the pitfalls and upsides, in each state and territory in Australia....
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| 21 Jun 2009 |
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What is keeping your tender from reaching the top of the pile?
The four main reasons for why your tender is left at the bottom of the pile are compliance, completeness, cost and clarity. In your tender you may have satisfactory compliance, all the necessary information, and a competitive price, but if the assessor has to read pages and pages of unfocussed and poorly written material you will miss out
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| 8 Jul 2008 |
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Social versus business networking – how can a business professional use the current trend of Web 2.0?
Social networking has become a trend over the past months and many employees and business owners have been asking themselves how to participate in this online phenomenon. Networking is all about opening up the communication lines with someone you have just met.
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| 24 Jun 2008 |
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Project management vs Leadership – What do you need to succeed?
If you’re working in a role within Australia’s construction-related sectors, then you know that you are under pressure with the resources and infrastructure boom, and suffering from a lack of skilled staff. It is critical that you take the time to review what you are doing to keep your team together and on track to project completion and success.
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| 3 Jun 2008 |
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Health and safety warning
There are a number of possible reasons as to why Western Sydney is in deeper trouble than any other major region in Australia. One unusual contributor is the attempt to have uniform national occupational health and safety rules. This cannot be arranged because of the NSW situation - making it the most dangerous place to employ people in the country.
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| 27 May 2008 |
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Balancing the pressures of continuing education and...
Technical professionals, such as engineers, architects, designers and project managers, have a great deal of pressure placed on their time, particularly regarding continuing professional development (CPD). Professionals have pressure coming from three primary sources – market forces encouraging personal and technical development, industry associations and companies themselves.
These pressures can be eased by balancing the activities you choose to engage in and by using a consistent review and action plan. By using this approach, you will derive greater value from your CPD activities and achieve a greater number of goals.
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| 13 May 2008 |
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Deciding on the right management style for you
As technical experts in the construction industry are getting harder to find, it falls upon existing staff to start playing two roles – the technician and the manager. Management can be a tricky thing, where many factors play in affecting the way you make decisions.
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| 28 Apr 2008 |
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All science graduates should study science communication
At a forum organised by the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS) to discuss scientists’ rights and obligations in February, Minister Carr said: “I believe that the obligations of scientists go well beyond simply explaining clearly what they're up to… Scientists and researchers have legitimate – I would say essential – roles as public intellectuals. They have a responsibility to contribute to public debate within their fields”.
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