2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The construction industry is a very risky industry due in part to various factors that negatively affect project outcomes. One of those factors relates to contract changes, claims, and disputes. Construction professionals know firsthand that projects don’t always go as planned. Mistakes, errors, omissions, differing site conditions, weather, and so many other factors can affect project performance. Considering the risk associated with poor management of contract changes, it might be beneficial to expose students in construction-related programs to various aspects of contract changes and how to effectively manage those changes, claims, and disputes. In addition, as the landscape of project delivery methods keeps getting broader it might be time to teach the students about contract changes and claims in general and specific to each delivery method. Considering poor contract management that has continuously plagued the construction industry, and the socioeconomic consequences of lack of knowledge and training in the area of contract changes and claims management, this paper calls for construction-related programs to consider adding contract changes and claims management as an elective course. Change is a part of construction irrespective of the project delivery method – change happens and should be properly planned for. Knowledge of contract changes and claims brings together various areas of construction practices. From construction law to construction materials and methods, cost estimating, value engineering, planning and scheduling, risk management, and leadership. This paper makes the case for teaching contract changes and claims management to students in construction-related programs and the paper also presents a model syllabus for the implementation of the course. For the students taking the class, this should help them build awareness about how the industry works regarding contract changes. In addition, the project owners, designers, general contractors, and specialty contractors who employ these students will have students that are prepared from day one to effectively help those organizations manage contract changes.