Food for Thought
Steve Folk

I scratched my cranium for a topic to produce that had a different approach than the usual Project update or “What is my Project status as seen through the eyes of the weary Curiosity Seeker?” I have tried to produce a small list of items that have the potential to save time and money both in business applications and a couple of personal thoughts – Work Related Items

• When creating a Project, review the historical RFI & Change Order Logs from similar Projects. We seem to make the same potential errors over and over.
• When processing approved COP’s and Pay Applications provide the Contracts department with 2 originals each and keep the 3 rd one for the construction Project file. The Contracts department processes these items and sends an original back to the CM/ACM for the Project file anyway – seems like it would reduce some work.
• Actually USE Prolog. The Logs that are available can be reviewed and/or generated from each person’s desktop. We know who we are. There are too many logs but that’s a different topic for a different time.
• Remove the word “Intent” from the English language as it relates to construction. This is a costly and arguable venue during the construction phase of a Project. There shouldn’t be this version of “I” in TEAM either.
• Pay for the implementation of MEP overlay coordination drawings and approval during the design phase. Heck, if this was well coordinated prior to construction, the 10 pounds of “you know what” might actually fit into the preverbal 5 pound bag consequently the RFI’s and COP’s would be potentially reduced. By the way, be sure that the Consultants actually look above the ceilings and/or ceiling tiles on the remodels.
• Create a folder in the P Drive for mailing labels (subfolders for Consultants, Contractors, Clients, etc.) for everyone’s use. I know I have quite a few that could be used by others but I’m hiding them for my personal use only.
• When creating new version of a Division One specification section, send out an e-mail to the entire department alerting us to the change. Some of us have read this specification innumerous times during the course of our careers that we instinctively only review the Division One sections that actually change for each new Project. The Fun Committee seems to get this right every time.
• Meetings – Hummm…. We all know that these are overboard but I have nothing to offer that would help at this time.

Personal Items

Why are we still under the influence of not recognizing the 9/10ths factor on the price of fuel? This may have fooled me when I was paying 25.9 cents a gallon back in the 1960’s but aren’t we a more intellectual bunch this day and age? As I watch the news every evening, even the commentators remain naïve to this. Think of all the time and energy saved for the poor persons charged with changing the numbers on those signs with those pole extensions seemingly a on a daily basis anymore.

Admit that the current subject matter that you are involved in is not part of your expertise level. It’s OK not to know everything about everything. Admitting this opens up a whole new world and most people that have the expertise are more than willing to help you understand a subject. Don’t just nod your head, it’s a dead giveaway that you don’t know Jack about the item – ask questions.

With the current need to reduce the amount of dependence on oil, why not make it mandatory the all working class people in the US begin a 4 day/10 hour work week with one day dedicated to home life vs travel. Heck, include all the educational systems and governmental organizations. Imagine one day a week dedicated to your immediate family at home, not receiving any bills in the mail box, and the environmental impact.

I do hope that this was a stimulating and unconventional means of fulfilling my obligation for this month’s blog in the Outlook. By the way, the Playhouse Theatre project is progressing along just fine.

Steve