Risk Management For Architects: How To Eliminate Project Risk With Information Management

This is part of our Essential Strategies to Mastering Construction Risk Management, this section highlights how to effectively identify and mitigate risks in construction projects. Gain insights into safeguarding timelines, reducing liability, and controlling costs, ensuring smoother project execution.

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In the dynamic world of architecture, where creativity meets practicality, architects face a myriad of challenges beyond the design phase, like communication, collaboration and risk management. Architects invest their passion and dedication into projects, aiming to delight clients with their designs and avoid potential legal issues at all costs.  

Risk mitigation is critical in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction & Operations (AECO) industry. The need for firms to proactively identify risks and maintain thorough documentation is paramount in safeguarding against liabilities. 

If you don’t tackle RFIs and submittals swiftly, projects can hit some serious bumps that can spell rework, safety headaches, a bigger bill, and delivery delays. And you know what comes next – the blame game kicks in, trust takes a hit, and project coordination teamwork starts feeling the strain. 

In an industry where even the slightest miscommunication can lead to costly litigation, architects can turn to innovative solutions to mitigate risks and streamline their workflows. And, with the value of global big data in the construction market expected to reach $10.8 billion by 2025, the time for better construction analytics and big data management is now. 

That’s why project information management platforms have become essential tools for risk management and protecting firms from potential lawsuits.  Have a dispute with a client and desperately need to find one email in a sea of thousands associated with your project? Not a problem. 

The project owner is stuck in the middle of a game of he-said she-said, but you know they confirmed in an email a few years back? Not to worry. 

All these troubles quickly become a thing of the past thanks to the power of information management platforms like Newforma Project Center and their cloud-hosted, web-based platform, Newforma Konekt.  To avoid those wallet-draining mishaps, tools like Newforma Konekt, with their easy-to-learn and user-friendly interface empower teams to automate the contract administration process, cutting down on human error and exponentially speeding up those review times. 

By providing a comprehensive record of project correspondence and decisions, architects can ensure transparency and accountability among all stakeholders. 

One of the primary challenges architects face is keeping track of client and stakeholder communication. From initial project concepts to final deliverables, misinterpretations and scope changes can create roadblocks that jeopardize project timelines and budgets.  

Newforma Konekt addresses this challenge by facilitating seamless communication and document sharing, ensuring that all parties remain informed and aligned throughout the project. 

 It files your emails directly from Microsoft Outlook as a submittal or RFI; sliding those important emails straight from your Microsoft Outlook into the submittal or RFI log. It’s like magic – the tool grabs all the details, attachments and all and adds the information to the project record. 

 This facilitates quick access to project information for all involved parties, reducing the time spent searching for critical details buried in lengthy email threads. The platform’s aggregate search feature enhances efficiency by enabling users to find specific information within emails and their attachments, saving valuable billable hours wasted on searching instead of designing. The tool is there to provide the information regardless of where it lives – You get a complete project record in a simple-to-use and modern user interface.  

The risk of errors in document workflows has increased in a big way over the years due to the sharp rise in the number of documents shared and communication bottlenecks opening projects to human error across all construction administration workflows. 

A recent study from Newforma and Dodge Data & Analytics revealed that 53% of respondents reported difficulty finding information needed to make informed decisions because that data was scattered across a variety of systems and applications. 

That’s a considerable amount of time wasted that could be better spent doing something more productive, am I right? 

That’s why efficient document management has become a crucial component for architects to keep a proper project record, streamline project deliveries and minimize delays caused by requests for information (RFIs) or submittals.  

Newforma Konekt’s BIM coordination functionality allows architects to track issues, take action on clashes in the model, and make immediate design reviews; ensuring your project goes smoothly all the way to completion.  

The platform’s shareable 2D/3D Viewer enhances collaboration by providing stakeholders with real-time access to designs, reducing ambiguities that often result in multiple RFIs and unnecessary communication cycles.

Another critical aspect of risk management lies in keeping a thorough project record. By leveraging Newforma Konekt’s comprehensive archive of project data, architects can safeguard against post-delivery litigations and disputes.  

Newforma’s vision is to connect the previously unconnected. It doesn’t aim to replace any point solution but to enable communication, collaboration regardless of where the information of communication and information lives.  

No more creating and then digging through duplicate data – it’s like your personal information management time machine. Everything is neatly recorded and added to a complete, trustworthy project record. So, no more headaches finding the right information quickly.   

And if ever there’s a need to unravel the project history, Newforma Konekt has your back. You can check out the entire journey and background of each submittal or RFI hassle-free, thanks to the very powerful aggregate search and filtering features. 

So, architects can maintain a comprehensive and easily searchable project record, ensuring that all project data is securely stored and readily available for reference throughout the project lifecycle. 

As architects continue to push the boundaries of design innovation, the adoption of advanced project communication, information and project management solutions becomes increasingly indispensable. 

With innovative tools like Newforma Konekt, architects can navigate complex projects with confidence, ensuring that their creative vision is realized without compromising on quality or integrity. 

The wealth of information that Newforma Konekt makes instantly available allows architects to work twice as fast, easily tracking project decisions and documentation; providing invaluable protection against legal challenges. 

In an industry where attention to detail can mean the difference between success and setback, architects cannot afford to overlook the importance of risk management.  

By embracing technology-driven approaches to risk mitigation, architects can avoid millions in litigation fees, hours of anguish and a gut punch to their reputation. 

Want to learn more about how Newforma Konekt can become your firm’s MVP in all things construction administration? Check out our new guide and see how your CA workflows can go from chaos to clarity in minutes!