Our analytical and methodological approach to resolving disputes sets us apart from other "experts".

Construction Industry Research:
CRI has conducted research in the construction industry since its founding. We have applied advanced methodological tools such as: Delphi Process, Analytic Hierarchy Process, Data Envelopment Analysis, Simulation, as well as common and advanced statistical methods, to evaluate construction operations and impacts. CRI founder Dr. Gerry Williams, studied project delivery systems used in the public building industry in Oregon from 1980 to 2000, and has delivered a number of lectures on the advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches. Recently the firm, in collaboration with Dr. Tim Anderson of Portland State University, has completed a major labor productivity impact study in the Metal Stud Framing, Drywall, and Taping and Finishing trades, which is published by the Northwest Wall & Ceiling Bureau and the Northern California Drywall Contractors Association. The firm, along with Dr. Anderson, is currently working on a similar nation wide study for the Finishing Contractors Association, which will include: commercial and industrial painting, glazing, floor covering, and finishing trades.

Training:
CRI provides training on both a companies and industry groups or associations. CRI has partnered with Construction Solutions, Inc., (CSI) to provide a nation wide seven part training program, focused on managing project risks, changes, and claims, for the Finishing Contractors Association. We also offer more tightly focused company wide or project based training programs. The intent of these programs is to get all of the people involved reading from the same page, recognizing the same risks, and responding consistently and accordingly. These programs have been particularly successful on large complex building projects such as hospitals, as well as large civil works projects, such as airports, roads, and bridges. Project based training is systemic process that includes project documentation set-up, monitoring change and dispute performance, assistance in negotiations, and ultimately expert witness services, if necessary.

Construction Payment Claims:
Construction payment claims grow out of the basic conflict that contractor (or subcontractor) believes he is forced to execute his work in a manner that is different and more costly than he expected when the bargain between the parties was made. At CRI we hope to become involved early in the project and help to resolve claims and avoid litigation, through diligent and accurate documentation of the changes and impacts. It is always better, cheaper, and more efficient for all parties to negotiate a change order than process a claim. Through its construction industry research activities, CRI is uniquely qualified to assist contractors in establishing entitlement and a remedy for labor and equipment related cost impacts; in particular, establishing a causal link between the alleged breach, and a loss or increase in cost of production. Finally, CRI uses multiple methods to calculate cost impacts including: scientific management models; project specific work process models; specific industry standards and studies: simulation; and cost based methods.

Defective Construction Claims:
The majority of the construction defect claims in the Pacific Northwest involve complex water intrusion and damage analysis. CRI’s construction defect practice is distinguished from the “run-of-the-mill” construction expert firms in the way in which it uses advanced operations research tools to provide an allocation of fault analysis. CRI has partnered with Dr. Franz Rad, who heads the structural engineering group in the Civil Engineering Department at Portland State University, to analyze complex forensic engineering problems such as concrete wall and structural steel connection failures.

Third Party Neutral:
CRI’s Dr. Williams has been a registered professional engineer for nearly 25 years and has worked in the engineering design and construction industry all of his life. He has taught Construction Contracts and Law, Construction Management, and Project Management in the Civil Engineering Department of Portland State University since 1995, and has served as a Third Party Neutral, or Arbitrator, on a variety of construction related disputes.