Construction Expert Witness
I am Dave Sherman. I serve as an Expert Witness in construction litigation cases. I serve as a consultant to attorneys preparing cases and I serve as a Construction Expert Witness through the litigation process.
All construction cases involve something that went wrong. Construction projects are large and costly and the consequences of mismanagement are usually large and costly. Often legal teams will bring in a roster of architects and engineers to review evidence in the case, perform scientific tests and present their findings. Unfortunately the root cause of most construction problems is often related to poor Project Management, and NOT a material flaw or specification.
I have worked as a Commercial Construction Project Manager since the early 80s. I have recruited, trained and managed Project Managers, Superintendents and Quality Control personnel. I have had the privilege of working as a corporate executive in large and small construction organizations. My testimony usually involves reviewing the facts, including written depositions along with plans and specifications. I then report on the performance or lack of performance by the business owners, project management and superintendent staff.
Most construction claims or lawsuits stem from one or more of the common management errors that repeatedly plague General Contractors, Construction Managers and Subcontractors. Over the years I have created a “Top 10 List” of problems that I have witnessed as the root cause of construction claims and lawsuits. These ten (10) short instructional articles are intended to assist the construction industry, and help the parties avoid the conflicts that lead to litigation. My series of articles is titled HOW TO AVOID CONSTRUCTION LAWSUITS. They can be found in the left margin of this website or in [this directory.]
Construction Program Manager
Program Management involves managing the construction process for the owner or developer. You might ask, “Isn’t that what the Construction Manager does?” or “Isn’t that what the Architect does?” No, they actually work for and serve the Construction Manager and Architect as their primary roll. They also serve the owner. But primarily they have to serve their own interest. The Construction Program Manager works for YOU in an unbiased way as YOUR agent.
The Construction Program Manager assists the owner in the selection of the design team of architects and engineers and manages the design process. The design process is typically divided into three major phases, the Schematic Phase, the Design Development Phase and the Construction Document Phase. These titles mean different things to different firms. The expected deliverables are different. Therefore I have developed a standardized list of deliverables. Using this list, my owners and developers have a clear understanding of what each phase involves. The design team also understands what drawings, specifications and schedules are needed at each milestone.
After the design is completed the Construction Program Manager assists the owner in the delivery system to be used. The two primary methods are Construction Management at Risk and Competitively Bid General Construction. The Construction Program Manager will manage the C/M or contractor so the owner or developer can manage their business or organization.
To find out more about my services, request a fee proposal, or request a CV, simply contact me [HERE]