Claims Management and Dispute Avoidance

INTRODUCTION

Most construction and engineering and related industry projects are complex, with a variety of stakeholders and often difficult and changing physical and economic environments, not the least of which are the challenges faced by business in the post-pandemic, high energy cost world. This is one of the reasons you should look to mitigate potential disputes at the tendering and contract phases and ensure that your company understands the importance of timely and effective communication, geared towards the avoidance of disputes, and mechanisms to prevent claims from escalating by the application of general principles of efficient claims management and mitigation that when followed will eliminate or minimize potential claims.

The principles of claim mitigation and dispute avoidance include a clear and carefully described scope of work, a reasonable schedule and an appropriate methodology of project execution tailored to the type of project and the degree of risk involved; fairly drawn contract terms that provide logical sharing of risk for possible changes and unknown site conditions, force majeure type delays, periodic reporting, fair notice provisions and approval times which also provide a basis for minimizing claims; ensuring the contract is written in clear language, removing any potential for ambiguity; and the mitigation of risk by the use of a risk management plan that allocates the risk between the parties on the basis of which one has the most control over the risk involved.

This Claims Management and Dispute Avoidance training course focuses on the knowledge, skills and processes required by a claims management team to actively engage these principles and develop corporate strategy which goes directly to the bottom line of a company in terms of cost control.

This GLOMACS Claims Management and Dispute Avoidance training course will highlight:

• The overall nature of contracts claims, their avoidance and defence
• Evaluation of the risk of claims within the scope of work
• Core procedures to mitigate risk
• Negotiation and re-negotiation to manage claims and keep relationships bouyant
• Understanding the difference between applicable core dispute resolution mechanisms
• Formulating policy to deal with claims efficiently

Objectives

By the end of this Claims Management and Dispute Avoidance training course, you will be able to:

• Understand the risk to the company of claims and claims management as a matter of policy
• Identify claims and those which should be pursued or defended
• Know how to pursue and defend the most common claims
• Understand the framework of structured conflict avoidance
• Develop your negotiation and decision-making skills to avoid disputes
• Use appropriate dispute resolution techniques to mitigate claims

Training Methodology

This training course provides the most effective skills applied by contracts and project managers today. Packed with tools and techniques, there will be group exercises and discussion to allow for a “hands-on” approach to learning. Using the most up to date learning practices, current material and actual case studies, the participants will be taken on a journey of discovery by understanding the real need to upgrade their level of knowledge and understanding claims management and avoidance using the most appropriate methodologies for their companies.

Organisational Impact

The organization will benefit with this Claims Management and Dispute Avoidance training course by:

• Reduced management time in dealing with claims
• Understanding of Contract clauses and fundamentals
• Improved control over on-time and on-budget delivery
• Reduced Risk to the organization from potential liabilities
• Improved relationships with contractors and suppliers
• Increased application of negotiation skills

Personal Impact

By the end of this Claims Management and Dispute Avoidance training course learners will:

• Understand how to use Contract terms to reduce the risk of conflict
• Be able to initiate and manage policy concerning claims
• Successfully evaluate claims to be negotiated and those to be contested
• Increase their skills in managing claims generally
• Greater ability to negotiate and manage contracts
• Know how to maintain the project's progress and ensure that it is completed efficiently

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This GLOMACS Claims Management and Dispute Avoidance training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will especially benefit:

• Contracts Supervisors
• Project Managers
• Project Engineers
• Project Management team professionals
• Contract Management Professionals
• Claims Management Professionals