CCDC 5A/5B: Construction Management Keys to Success | Live, ONLINE

*This course is part of the Managing Construction Series: Raising the Bar

Project success takes more than just understanding what is “written” in your contract; it’s about leveraging key requirements from start to finish!

Many projects run into cost overruns, schedule delays, as well as quality and performance issues - and Project Owners are looking for solutions! A great solution if done well, Construction Management (CM) is about building a collaborative team from the outset of the project. A Construction Management approach brings the Project Owner, Consultant, and Contractors together in order to address key areas of functional requirements, time, cost, quality, and constructability.

Whether you are the Project Owner, Consultant, General Contractor or Subcontractor, you need to understand your Construction Management roles and responsibilities throughout all project phases: predesign, design, project delivery and post construction. It’s also important to be well versed in the Construction Management project drivers and concepts in order to fulfil your contractual responsibilities and achieve success.  A well orchestrated Construction Management project drives success for all partners. 

By the end of this course you will:

• Gain an understanding of the Construction Management process
• Recognize when to use Construction Management as a Delivery Method
• Learn the roles of each partner for collaborative success
• Determine when and how to procure Construction Management services
• Identify tools and techniques to optimize Construction Management performance
• Grasp the nuances of the different forms of Construction Management contracts – CCDC 5A|5B (industry standard contracts)
• Understand the duties assigned and compensation for Preconstruction, Construction and Post-Construction in the CCDC 5A | 5B
• Practice the key elements to focus on for project success:
  • Engage the design assist process
  • Align budgets to estimates
  • Use design control to promote cost control
• Apply the learned knowledge to establish the Construction Manager’s compensation
• Discuss the pros and cons for conversion to consolidated pricing
• Acquire critical insights into the challenges with the Construction Management Delivery Method

This course was designed by an inter-disciplinary ICI team with the intention of fostering dialogue and understanding between stakeholders across the ICI sector. We recommend this course for mid-management personnel from the following roles/disciplines who who will actively be working on and/or responsible for the administration of Construction Management projects.

• General Contractors and Subcontractors: Construction Company Owners/Managers, Project Managers, Commercial Managers, Business Development Managers
• Project Owners, Third Party Project Managers (For the Project Owner), and P3 Developers
• Architects and Engineers
• Allied Professionals including: Bonding and Insurance specialists, Lawyers

Live, Online, Instructor-led training, with a maximum class size of 25 students.

• This is a highly interactive course facilitated by the instructor on the Zoom platform.
• You will be expected to have your webcam on during the whole class and participate in break-out rooms, small-group discussions, and other activities with your instructor and classmates during the course.
• Zoom access information will be provided to you in advance of the training by your instructor
• Full attendance and participation in all four sessions is mandatory for course completion. If a student misses a class session, we are unable to transfer registration or provide a partial refund of the registration fees.

This course is delivered in partnership with local construction associations across western Canada and Ontario. You will be participating with a cohort of industry peers from throughout these regions.

This course requires full face-to-face interaction and participation from both the instructor and students. In order to attend, you’ll must make sure you have the following:

• Computer or laptop with webcam (webcams are mandatory): This course will involve 100% on-screen interaction with your instructor and classmates, reading/viewing on-screen content like slides or videos, and interacting via typing with questions or responses. For this reason, you must have a webcam and use a full computer/laptop, and we do not permit students to attend using a tablet or cell phone.
• A quiet space with minimal distractions: Please plan to be fully engaged in the class, and clear your work schedule just as you would for attendance in an in-class program.

A short orientation session (30 min) with your course instructor will be held via Zoom before the course (usually scheduled in the week before). During the orientation, your instructor will go over course information and familiarize you with the Zoom tools you’ll be using. 

We recommend that students have have some experience in a construction/contract management role and/or have a solid familiarity with the language, format, and usage of common construction contracts.

Those with less experience are welcome to attend but may find it hard to absorb and appreciate the material without prior experience or context.

2 Gold Seal Credits

Debbie Hicks, BSc | Facilitator

With a comprehensive and varied education background, learning has been at the core of her career. As former President of the Southern Interior Construction Association in BC for 22 years, liaising with the buyers of construction services, architects, engineers and contractors in advocacy and education brings a solid base to her expertise. In addition, her experience as the owner representative for the construction of the new Clubhouse for the Kelowna Yacht Club has provided additional perspective. She has been fortunate to work with the Alberta Construction Association to facilitate industry dialogue on “Optimizing the Flow of Money” and “Non-Standard Contract Clauses and their Costs”. Through these experiences, with a lot of passion and enthusiasm, Debbie is able to bring both knowledge and insight into her work and presentations for the construction industry.

Mark Scharf, BA Hons, MHA
Calgary Health Region and University of Calgary (retired) | Senior Director

Mark recently retired from the University of Calgary where he was responsible for the delivery of capital projects across the organization. The annual workload entailed approximately 400 capital and renovation projects per year with an annual project spend of approximately $150M. During his 12- year tenure as Director, the Project Management Office delivered 9 new buildings including multiple teaching and applied research buildings, major infrastructure renewals, new residence halls and a new main library. Mark was actively engaged with procuring design and construction teams and negotiating and overseeing a wide variety of contracts including Design Build, Construction Management at Risk, Lump Sum and performance-based engagements.

Mark brings 30 plus years of public sector experience with both post-secondary and health organizations including the Calgary Health Region and Age Care Senior Communities. Mark takes pride in building strong teams, mentoring the next generation of project professionals and engaging diverse stakeholders in achieving outstanding results.

Craig Shirra, BTech CM, GSC, PSQ, LEEDGA 
UBC Properties Trust | Director, Development

Craig is currently the Director of Development at UBC Properties Trust, where he acts as the owner’s project managers for all new capital projects at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus and Kelowna region.

Craig stated his construction career as a steel stud and drywall tradesman working on some of Vancouver’s most significant projects pre-Olympics like the Richmond oval, BC place renovation and Queen Elizabeth Theatre renovation. Craig then joined Task Construction Management, a boutique CM firm managing projects such as the Vernon Library and South Surrey Rec Center. In 2012 Craig joined Bird Construction where he was part of the team that delivered the new UBC Student Union Building, Kelowna RCMP and the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre @ UBC Vancouver.

Craig holds a degree in Construction Management and Diploma of Technology as a graduate of the Architectural Building Engineering Technologies program, both at BCIT.

Craig is a LEED Green Associate, A registered Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS) and has earned his Gold Seal in project management.

Craig is currently leading exciting projects such as the UBCO Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Innovation (ICI) Building, which is a 150,000 square foot research facility, as well as the new UBC Downtown Kelowna Campus.

Walter Strachan RSW, PQS (F), CSC (F)

Walter has extensive experience earned through over 40 years in the consulting engineering industry with CBCL Limited. During his career he has served as department manager, project manager, corporate quality manager (ISO 9001), corporate risk manager), principal, director, and Chair of the Board at a major Atlantic Canada based engineering and environmental services company.

Upon retirement from CBCL Limited, Walter opened Act 3 Advisory Services, to continue a life-long obsession with all things related to project delivery in the design and construction industry.

Walter’s design and construction interest center around standard practices, project delivery methods, cost planning and control, risk management, and dispute resolution. Those interests resulted in tenures as Chair, Canadian Design Build Institute (CDBI); President, Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS); Chair, Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC); and Board Member, Canadian Construction Association (CCA).  He has also served on several significant Task Teams including MasterFormat; CSC/CSI Uniform Drawing Systems; and the Integrated Delivery (IPD) Task Team.

Walter is the 2021 recipient of the Nova Scotia Consulting Engineers (CENS) Distinguished Service Award.

Elisa Brandts, Architect AIBC, Architect AAA, OAA, NSAA, FRAIC 
Stantec | Managing Senior Principal

Elisa is a Senior Principal and the Business Centre Managing Leader for our buildings group in British Columbia. Her role combines active senior team leadership and financial and studio management with managing significant projects, particularly of large-scale alternate delivery scope, IPD and those integrating Lean process.

Elisa’s accomplishments include Eric Hamber Secondary School Replacement Project, Vancouver; Camosun College Alex and Jo Campbell School of Health Sciences, Victoria; Canalta Centre, (2015)*, Medicine Hat, Alberta; Sault Ste. Marie Event Centre, (2006)*,  Sault Ste Marie, Ontario; Youngstown Convocation Center, (2005)*, Youngstown, OH, USA; Rideau Carleton Raceway, (2000)*, Ottawa.

* denotes projects completed with other firms

Rick Boates, AScT., GSC, LEEDAP, Lean Green Belt Unitech Construction Management Ltd. | President

Rick’s career in the construction industry spans 49 years including 14 years in design consulting, 2 years as a Building Inspector and 33 years as founder and President of one of BC’s leading Construction Management firms. Rick served on the Board of ICBA, the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association for 8 years. Rick also served on the Board of Merit Canada for 8 years and is now dedicating his board efforts to the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation.

Rick has guided Unitech through the successful completion of nearly $1.5 billion worth commercial, institutional, recreational, hospitality, First Nations, Health and even civil and industrial projects throughout BC. All of these projects been implemented via Construction Manager as Agent via old CCA 5 or CCDC 5A contracts on behalf of many repeat public and private clients. He is continuing his passion for collaborative construction with $400 million in CM contracts in progress and is leveraging Unitech collaborative approach on promotion of IPD and Lean Construction on current and upcoming projects.

Brad Stevenson, CPA, CGA, B.Tech, PMP
Unitech Construction Management Ltd. | Chief Operating Officer

Brad Stevenson is Unitech Construction Management’s Chief Operating Officer.  He has been with Unitech for 15 years in a number of different roles including operations, finance, human resources, safety, business development and information technology.  Brad has the overall responsibility for integrating all Unitech’s Construction Management’s divisions into one cohesive unit. He has been responsible for integrating Unitech’s systems, processes and procedures, with a focus on team collaboration, into how Unitech does business day to day.  He monitors and assists all personnel to ensure everyone in the company is living our core values of being client goal driven, collaborative, concise, firm, fair and fun through our collaborative construction proven process. 

Jim Clement, GSC
Graham Construction | Operations Manager

A seasoned construction professional with over 40 years of experience — the vast majority of which has been spent in the Calgary marketplace — Jim has the ability to think outside the box and finds creative solutions to complex design issues. Jim recognizes and understands the importance of proper cost and schedule control, as well as the interaction required between the owners, consultants, and construction management personnel.

Jim has been the President of both the Calgary Construction Association and the General Contractors Association, has been awarded Person of the Year by the Calgary Construction Association for his industry contributions, and has presented on design collaboration and ensuring optimum value and services for project owners. Jim adds value to his projects through his effective management of project constructability, and an understanding of the full project delivery. As a natural leader, he provides clients with the optimum balance between cost, schedule, quality, performance and project lifecycle.

Jim has worked on a wide array of construction projects including: commercial office buildings, residential towers, retail developments, parks and civil work, industrial facilities, and a variety of other project styles and types.