Reference no: EM132454433

Case 1: Architects' Administration

• This project is a $4Million elementary school remodel that was bid lump sum. There are numerous conflicts in the documents, many of which are associated with matching new to existing work. The project manager for the general construction firm has become frustrated with the lack of paperwork from the architect. The architect appears to have run out of construction administration funds. Some of the problems and responses to request for support are listed below.

1. Responses to the RFI process include: "I don't want a written question, just give me a call"
2. The architect will answer written RFI's with a verbal
3. He will not meet in the field and review actual conditions
4. Written responses quite often just indicate "see the plans or specifications"
5. Submittals are late being returned and they often do not include any disposition 
6. The architect misses many weekly construction meetings, showing up at some late and leaving others early
7. He never brings his meeting notes and does not acknowledge ever receiving them 
8. He is also not reviewing change orders in a prompt fashion

Question 1: What should the project manager do to resolve this issue? What could the school have done to prevent this from happening? What risks do both the general contractor and the school incur if this situation is left unchecked? What risks does the architectural firm incur?