Daniel Cowan’s Post

"How can Contract Managers from Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or Legal backgrounds broaden their contract management capability whilst also embracing other disciplines?" 👨🎓 This is not to say that those with one qualification or even none would not perform as well in their role as they would without further learning and development, it certainly isn't. There are some highly skilled people out there who lead from the front without lots of letters after their name. These are simply some of the suggestions we have learned from working with our clients and the considerations they have when recruiting top contract management talent. So it's potentially a good question and one the table below hopefully starts to answer in some parts..... There is so much more that could be added to this and it would be great to hear your thoughts. A main point for me is the possibility of more centralised, structured, and accessible working groups between QSs, engineers, and lawyers. And closer collaboration between the different industries to afford each side more practical exposure to their work and therefore knowledge 💡 What else would you change or suggest? #contractmanager #contractmanagement #quantitysurveyor #engineer #lawyer #legal #constructionlaw #talent #recruitment #learninganddevelopment #construction #infrastructure

Contract Managers in the construction and infrastructure industries do not exclusively, but often come from a quantity surveying, engineering, or legal background 🤷♂️ When companies are recruiting they sometimes consider which one makes the best Contract Manager? Many times they already have an opinion. From the hundreds of clients that we've supported to the thousands of candidates we've interviewed, we have (I hope) a good base knowledge on the subject, so is there is an argument to say that those with diverse qualifications and/or experiences are a more attractive candidate to recruit? For instance, a lawyer who has become a contract manager will be strong with legal and risk management, they will know their way around a contract, but can a legalistic approach possibly reduce the focus on cost? When you reverse the situation, those from a quantity surveyor background will be strong with cost estimation, budgeting, and financial control, but would this then mean that legal intricacies are maybe missed? What if that lawyer spent time on site and then undertook qualifications in Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification or civil engineering as well as courses in cost and financial planning? And the quantity surveyor completed an LLM in construction law and arbitration and joined the The Society of Construction Law or the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation? Would that then make those contract managers more recruitable and better in the eyes of the hiring manager ❓ Regardless of any one opinion, these are often the points that clients consider when recruiting and qualifying suitable talent. In fact, more and more are going through skill gap analysis and seeking contract managers with diversity. They are even diversfying the make up of their departments so all three backgrounds exist and complement each other for the betterment of projects and the overall business. I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this 👂 (I will caveat this to say that diverse backgrounds are not always needed - if a project/company needs a contract manager who is an engineer, then it is an engineer it needs. The circumstances behind the role will dictate this). #quantitysurveyor #engineer #lawyer #legal #contractmanagement #construction #infrastructure #international

I was recently asked about the best professional compliment I've ever received. One of the best compliments came during a negotiation with a client. When I mentioned my background in engineering with two master's degrees, the response was unexpected. "I thought you were a lawyer," "I felt like you have a master's in quantity surveying," and "surely you worked as an auditor before" were some of the comments I received. This experience reinforced my belief that a successful contract manager is more than meets the eye. It's a multifaceted role that requires a deep understanding of various aspects of the business. While you may see a contract manager in front of you, in reality, you're dealing with a blend of skillsets and professions in one person. Contract management professionals, click like if you agree! #contractmanagement #contractmanagementprofessional #professionalsuccess

‘We don’t want a Contract Manager from a Quantity Surveying background as they don’t have the right experience’ 😳 This previous post attracted a lot of attention and it got me thinking..... How could we help clients and candidates dissect the dichotomy between construction contract managers that are from: 1. A legal background 2. Engineering 3. Quantity Surveying? There's a fair dose of respect but sometimes a lot of tension between the 3 different backgrounds, but I believe all have their strengths and weaknesses and combined together would be better for projects and businesses. I'm certainly not an expert in this space but I've provided contract management recruitment and talent advisory solutions to clients in the international construction and infrastructure markets for 15 years, and know first hand that comments like the above are not deliberately meant to be controversial or throw away, it's simply a lack of education or awareness. In our job we're in the very fortunate position of speaking and listening to some of the market's brightest minds and you start to take note of what's actually happening and how companies might be better placed to educate their workforce. With this in mind, maybe a good a place to start is an entry-level understanding of the backgrounds of all 3 disciplines and how their strengths and weaknesses may vary. I'll be following up on this post in the coming days with how each discipline might transition into contract management, along with suggested qualifications, professional memberships and working arrangements. It's important to remember that these are generalizations, and individuals may possess a combination of skills. A diverse team with members from legal, engineering, and quantity surveying backgrounds will hopefully bring a holistic approach to contract management. And please don't take this as me saying I know best, I most certainly don't, but hopefully it gives some food for thought and some encouragement to consider contract management differently to how individuals or companies might usually do so.

‘We don’t want a Contract Manager from a Quantity Surveying background as they don’t have the right experience’ 😳 A global construction client recently said this to us during a job intake meeting for a major international civil infrastructure project. The role was no different to what we usually specialise in apart from the usual specific criteria that companies and projects often need. Having spent the early parts of my career working with international construction and engineering companies and recruiting Contract Managers from a QS background, it was drummed into me that this combination was the gold standard ⭐️ As my client base and network have diversified over the years I have really come to appreciate that good and great contract managers can also come from engineering or legal backgrounds and can be equally adept if not better in their role 💪🏼. I personally believe that there’s a place where all 3 backgrounds can co-exist for the betterment of projects and businesses 🤷🏽 But to hear those from a QS background being dismissed so easily was really shocking to be honest 😱 Maybe it’s just me but I feel like there’s a lot of posts now saying that quantity surveying is misunderstood or not valued anymore including in the field of contract management 🙈 So where is it going wrong? How can it be that the once gold standard is no longer holding the same value? Should people be worried? There are so many questions and I’m quite sure there will be no one right answer….. #quantitysurveying #contractmanagement #legal #engineering #construction #infrastructure #international

Contract Administrators in Construction: Navigating Roles and Challenges In the realm of construction, the role of a contract administrator is pivotal, ensuring the effective administration of contracts between employers and building contractors. Dating back centuries, this role gained formal recognition in 1987, emphasizing the need for impartial decision-making. A contract administrator, often an architect, engineer, or surveyor, manages diverse responsibilities from supervising works to certifying completion. The choice of a professional contract administrator offers advantages like specialized industry knowledge but poses challenges due to potential confusion in roles. Challenging a contract administrator's decision is a right exercised by both employers and contractors. Legal cases like Sutcliffe v Thackrah highlight the scrutiny on decisions' impartiality. The contract itself and the obligation to exercise reasonable care and skill provide avenues for challenge. In conclusion, the role of a contract administrator significantly contributes to fair and effective construction contract management. A well-selected, experienced contract administrator and clear delineation of responsibilities from the project's outset are critical for success in this pivotal position. #constructionmanagement #contractadministration #buildingcontractors

🎉 I am delighted to share a significant milestone in my professional journey. Four months ago, I embarked on my first job after graduation, joining Engineering and Management Services as a Junior Contracts Engineer, under the supervision of Engr. Zafar Hussain Siddiqui. 📚 In these initial months, I've been immersed in studying construction claims and contracts, applying the intricacies of FIDIC contracts, and becoming adept at handling day-to-day correspondence within the construction industry. 📝 Another crucial aspect of my role involves drafting and assessing claims, a task that requires precision and a deep understanding of the field. 💡 Why Contracts Management? It's a role that resonates with me on multiple levels. I've discovered I have a knack for details and a genuine passion for delving into the intricacies of construction law. My language proficiency has also been an asset in navigating the legal aspects of contracts. 🔗 Moreover, this role seamlessly aligns with my ongoing studies in Construction Engineering & Management (CEM). It's not just a job; it's a continuation of my academic journey, allowing me to apply what I've learned directly to real-world projects. 🏢 Engineering and Management Services, with its impeccable industry reputation, has provided me with a fantastic platform to kickstart my career. It's been an incredible learning experience, and I am grateful for the support and mentorship from my colleagues, especially ENGR. WAQAS KHAN and Abdullah Rashid. I'm excited about the journey ahead and the opportunities to contribute to Engineering and Management Services's projects. Here's to the beginning of a fulfilling career in contracts management, where every day brings new challenges and learning experiences! #NewJob #ConstructionEngineering #ConstructionContracts #CareerMilestone #EMS #LearningExperience #CareerProgression #FIDICContracts #GraduationToCareer

“There’s no way the General Counsel in a construction and engineering company should report to the board on behalf of the Head of Contract Management! They’re reporting on something that they don’t fully understand! ” ⚠️ Is this statement correct? Or do you think that a General Counsel should report on behalf of the Head of Contract Management? It’s a good question and one that often comes up in discussion especially when recruiting for contract management professionals at the top level 🔝 Contract management and legal, despite their obvious overlap, are very different disciplines. Potentially a large part of the answer to this question is whether a General Counsel has had site experience or no site experience. There’s a big difference! For sure a GC has an exceptionally strong legal oversight, their remit usually extends far beyond just contract management, so therefore they can streamline communication, and be consistent in approach🧑⚖️ But maybe CM’s that have worked on site understand what it’s like to be on the front line, they can connect the contractual challenges with the technical nuances, and they understand the repercussions of a contract in a live situation (and much, much more)👷♂️ Someone I respect highly explained that a GC (without site experience) sitting between the CM function and the board is like someone calling themselves a Naturalist but they have only ever studied nature from a book. They can possess knowledge and appreciation but they might not fully embody the essence of naturalism/contract management which involves directly immersing themselves in that environment and observing nature/projects as they truly are. What do you potentially think about this? Answers are of course subjective but I’m always interested to learn the different perspectives 📚 #contractmanagement #legal #lawyer #generalcounsel #headofcontractmanagement #construction #infrastructure

These competencies cover a range of skills and knowledge areas that a quantity surveyor should possess to be successful in their profession. Technical competencies: Measurement and Quantification Cost Planning and Commercial Management Procurement Tendering Contract Administration Project Financial Control and Reporting Value Management Core competencies: Professionalism, Ethics, and Governance Client Care Communication and Negotiation Teamworking Leadership and Management

Contract Managers and Legal Specialists in the Construction Industry 🏗️ do you know what companies look for in your CVs? Working with different contractors and civil engineering companies, I can now say I learnt which experiences and areas are important to💡highlight💡in a CV when applying for a Contract Manager or Legal Specialist role. It happens often that qualified candidates get discounted just because their experience is not presented at best in their CVs, especially if the client is looking for a specific skill or expertise for the role 🤷🏻♀️ These are some points that often help stand out when applying for a role within the construction industry: 🏗️Be specific with the projects you have worked on: a description of the types of contracts used, the value, and the location helps the client understand better the skills and experience you have acquired. 🎓Experience in claims, dispute resolution, and arbitration? Clients appreciate having a detailed overview of the types of claims you have worked on as well as their values and the outcome. 🏅Make sure to include any additional courses, certifications or diplomas you might have that demonstrate your expertise in the sector. Essentially, it is important to highlight all the experiences you have that are in line with what the client or project is looking for. Try to be as specific and detailed as possible to give a better understanding of your expertise and skills. What else do you think it's important to highlight in a CV when applying for a role in the Construction Industry?