Author: Raymond O’Neill
Abstract: This project began as work sponsored by a multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm providing construction administration services to the State of Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (AKDOT). Managers in the firm’s construction administration department requested documentation protocols to assist staff in meeting their clients’ quality assurance objectives and improve the firm’s business performance. Construction administration (CA) refers to managing all project-related functions between parties to a construction contract. CA involves considerable field presence and construction experience. CA includes inspections, quality assurance, site safety, and other construction duties beyond contract administration (Fisk & Reynolds, 2006). The consultant’s AKDOT quality assurance assessments indicate the need for improved project documentation, and project managers realize that improved documentation processes are necessary for effective monitoring, controlling and closing of construction projects. The original scope of this project was to deliver a manual for documenting CA; however, research uncovered existing AKDOT manuals addressing documentation processes for CA. Therefore, the project delivers recommendations for updating the AKDOT Construction Project Documentation procedures manual published by Central Region AKDOT (AKDOT 2013). This manual is one of the resources identified as a reference for CA staff providing CA documentation. The research plan includes methods to identify areas of CA documentation where improvements will be recommended. The research consists of a survey of CA professionals, formal and informal interviews, and a literature review. Recommendations for updating the AKDOT Construction Documentation Manual are provided that will improve documentation quality and project communications, and will reduce the effort currently required for project closeout.
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