PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Increased Testing Saves (ITS) Money Matthew Janes, M.B.A., P.Eng. President [email protected] As an alternative, we have also R ecently, on October 2, DFI hosted a webinar organised and presented by the DFI Testing and Evaluation Committee. The subject of the webinar was Increased Testing Saves (ITS) Money. With more than 120 attendees, the webinar proved to be a great success. Coming from those fortunate enough to attend the webinar, kudos rained down onto Gerald Verbeek, Allnamics Pile Testing Experts, and chair of the Testing and Evaluation Committee, for the quality and value provided. In a value-based business, we need to bring knowledge to the table to promote the most cost-effective and efficient solutions. A lack of knowledge increases risk and increases cost. Successful contractors are experts at pricing risk. Where contractors perceive increased risk is present, their price increases, often substantially. Where knowledge is lacking, a mistake may be made, which will typically jeopardize the cost, schedule and success of a project. On the contrary, when there is increased knowledge or awareness, there is a corresponding reduction in risk and cost. However, knowledge also increases the breadth of tools, scope, imagination and solutions available to the engineer, contractor and supplier. Not only is this recognized in the reduced price from the contractor, but also the code often rewards increased knowledge with increased resistance factors. Our geotechnical consulting member organisations are often seeing projects where fewer and fewer dollars are being allocated to geotechnical investigation and testing. As a result, the industry is experiencing higher risk being trans- ferred to the consultant and contractor. The lack of knowledge that emerges from an underfunded geotechnical investigation ends up on the desks of the designer, contractor, and project manager or owner. There is no avoiding the risk associated with un- knowns. They will emerge only to precipitate as addi- tional costs to be borne by one or more of the stake- holders and, at worst, in litigation, where only the lawyers win. Educated stakeholders The common thread is that increased testing improves knowledge, reduces risk (or places the risk with the appropriate stakeholders) and results in cost savings while increase their knowledge through improved geotech- nical investigation and testing programs conducted ahead of production. In general, there is typically a clause in most tender packages that discloses to the bidders that they are free to conduct additional geotechnical investigations and/or testing at the site, at their own expense, to enhance their bids. How many have taken advantage of this clause or opportunity? I have been a member of design-build teams that have taken advantage of this clause and, in all instances, we have gained additional, high- quality knowledge that allowed us to reduce risk and alter the design to our advantage, successfully winning profitable work. improving profit for the design-build team. offered solutions with cost and schedule savings based upon the results of early stage testing programs. The common thread is that increased testing improves knowledge, reduces risk (or places the risk with the appropriate stakeholders) and results in cost savings while improving profit for the design-build team. Invariably, the experience for both the design-build team and the management team (GC and owner) is improved through super- ior project delivery. Man- agement teams remember this and seek out the designer or contractor for future difficult projects. So, you can win more jobs! There are two more ITS Money webinars scheduled, December 4, 2019, and February 5, 2020, with the potential for a fourth webinar dedicated to geotechnical site investigations in summer 2020 (see page 43)! DFI members and government employees can attend the webinars for FREE. Nonmembers pay a nominal fee that includes DFI Individual Membership through December 31, 2020. Don’t miss these opportunities to witness how the application of Increased Testing has improved project delivery, saved money and won your colleagues valuable work. “It’s not about what it is, it’s about what it can become.” Dr. Suess DEEP FOUNDATIONS • NOV/DEC 2019 • 7
