Top 5 De-Risk Tactics for Construction Contractors from Arch Engineers
Part 3: How Arch Engineers Delivers Tactical Solutions to Mitigate Risk
Arch Engineers is committed to delivering responsive, innovative, and efficient solutions that address the key risks identified in construction engineering projects. Our team’s extensive field experience, proactive communication practices, and a feedback-driven approach ensure that we not only mitigate common construction risks but also continuously improve our processes to deliver better outcomes for general contractors and clients alike. Below, we outline how Arch Engineers effectively implements risk mitigation strategies to support seamless construction processes and successful project delivery.
“We don’t tell contractors how to do their job — we check the math, approving their methods, and thus deliver faster, cleaner, and better!” — Arch Engineers
1. Responsiveness in Design and Construction Phases
At Arch Engineers, RESPONSIVENESS is at the core of our project execution. We understand the importance of timely communication and swift decision-making to prevent delays and project disruptions.
- Rapid Issue Resolution: We recognize that construction sites operate under tight schedules, and any delay in receiving design clarifications or adjustments can stall progress. Arch Engineers maintains a direct line of communication between our design teams, field engineers, and the client’s construction managers. By implementing digital platforms such as real-time document sharing and instant messaging tools, we ensure that questions from the field are answered promptly, reducing wait times and preventing bottlenecks.
- On-Site Engineering Support: Our field engineers are not only available to provide guidance remotely but are also integrated into the construction process with regular site visits. This ensures that any on-site issues related to constructability or design interpretation are resolved in real time. Our commitment to rapid response helps contractors maintain momentum and stay on schedule.
2. Innovation in Problem-Solving and Risk Management
Arch Engineers continuously seeks innovative solutions to reduce risk and streamline construction processes, particularly in complex and challenging environments.
- Innovative Design Approaches: In many cases, design challenges can lead to construction delays if they are not approached with flexibility and foresight. Arch Engineers excels in developing innovative design solutions that not only meet engineering standards but also optimize construction efficiency. For example, when faced with non-standard connection designs, we collaborate closely with contractors to identify alternatives that maintain structural integrity while simplifying installation. This may include pre-fabrication or modular construction techniques that reduce on-site labor time and minimize disruption.
“We make efforts with proactive value engineering discussions” — Arch Engineers
- Value Engineering: We actively engage in value-engineering processes during the design phase, identifying areas where alternative materials or construction methods can reduce costs without compromising quality. This proactive approach ensures that contractors can implement cost-effective solutions that also improve constructability and efficiency.
3. Field Experience and Construction Feedback Loops
Our extensive field experience allows us to anticipate and solve the challenges that contractors encounter during construction. We leverage feedback from previous projects to refine our designs and construction strategies continuously.
- Real-Time Feedback Integration: Arch Engineers utilizes a robust feedback loop where field engineers and site supervisors provide continuous input during construction. This feedback is communicated back to our design teams, allowing for rapid adjustments if required. For instance, if our field engineers notice inefficiencies or complications with a specific detail or connection design, we can quickly update the design to better suit on-site conditions. This ensures that the construction process is not only streamlined but also adaptable to unforeseen challenges.
- Lessons Learned Program: After each project, we conduct comprehensive “lessons learned” reviews with both our internal teams and the contractors involved. This process allows us to document any issues that arose during construction and integrate solutions into future projects. By capturing these insights, we continually improve our designs and processes, ensuring that the same issues do not occur repeatedly.
Effective communication is essential to ensure that all stakeholders are aligned throughout the project lifecycle.
4. Clear and Concise Communication with Builders and Construction Managers
Effective communication is essential to ensure that all stakeholders — from engineers to builders to construction managers — are aligned throughout the project lifecycle. Arch Engineers excels in maintaining clear, concise, and timely communication, which is vital to avoiding misunderstandings and delays.
- Proactive Communication Channels: We establish clear communication channels at the start of every project, ensuring that all team members have direct access to the information they need. Our field engineers regularly communicate with the client’s construction managers, ensuring that they are fully aware of design changes, material lead times, or construction sequencing adjustments.
- Weekly Progress Meetings (SCRUM): Regular meetings with the project team — including contractors, construction managers, and the client — keep everyone informed of project status, potential risks, and upcoming milestones. These progress meetings allow for early identification of potential issues, and our team is always prepared with solutions or mitigation strategies to keep the project on track.
- Document Transparency: Our use of digital project management tools ensures that design revisions, RFIs, and field changes are documented and accessible in real time. This transparency ensures that everyone is working from the most current set of drawings, minimizing the risk of miscommunication or errors on-site.
5. Practical, Tactical Solutions to Identified Risks
Arch Engineers has a deep understanding of the risks outlined in Part 1 and takes a tactical approach to addressing each one through practical, effective solutions.
- Incomplete Design Packages: To mitigate the risks of incomplete design packages, we employ a phased design release process that allows contractors to begin work on sections of the project while final designs are being completed. We also perform constructability reviews in the early design stages to ensure that our designs are both comprehensive and practical from a construction perspective.
- Poor-Quality Engineering Drawings: We place a strong emphasis on producing high-quality, intuitive engineering drawings. Our drafting team works closely with our field engineers to ensure that all relevant information is consolidated into a single sheet where possible, reducing the need for construction managers to flip between pages. This focus on user-friendly design improves efficiency on-site and minimizes the risk of errors.
- Material Availability: Arch Engineers proactively addresses material procurement challenges by working closely with suppliers during the design phase to ensure that specified materials are available within the project timeline. If lead times are an issue, we collaborate with the contractor and client to identify suitable alternatives without compromising the project’s objectives.
- Non-Standard Construction Methods: When non-standard methods or materials are necessary, we ensure that field crews are well-prepared by organizing early training sessions and providing detailed construction sequences. This ensures that contractors can execute specialized tasks with confidence and precision, reducing the risk of delays or rework.
At Arch Engineers, our commitment to responsiveness, innovation, and seamless communication ensures that we are more than just a design firm — we are a partner in the successful delivery of construction projects. Our field experience and practical problem-solving ability enable us to anticipate and mitigate risks before they escalate, while our clear communication practices ensure that contractors, builders, and clients remain aligned throughout the project.
By continuously refining our processes and incorporating feedback from the field, we ensure that our designs are not only innovative but also adaptable and practical, allowing for efficient, on-time, and on-budget project completion.
Arch Engineers’ tactical approach to risk mitigation ensures that we deliver exceptional value to our clients, supporting general contractors and construction companies as they navigate the complexities of modern construction projects.
For more info: call 604–337–1723 or connect@archengineers.com
