Conference Day One: Tuesday, October 8 2024
6:30 am Coffee & Networking
7:00 am Chair’s Opening Remarks
Spotlighting Exemplary Quality Planning & Execution
7:10 am Case Study: Building an Integrated Quality Approach to Ensure Quality Excellence at Every Phase of the San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project
Synopsis
- Establishing trust and transparency from the project outset to align expectations of Quality oversight beyond contractual terms
- Taking lessons learned from implementation of the LA Metro Quality program and systems of our project partners to refine and evolve the right system for this team
- Getting buy-in and implementation of Quality data tracking in the field to enable real-time assessment and problem solving of potential issues
- Discussing how owner engagement has driven Quality best practice across the whole team, and continues to drive project success as we enter phase 2 of the project
7:50 am Uncovering The Formula for Effective Training in Construction to Build Dynamic Skills for On-Site Proficiency
Synopsis
Learning from the author of the Field Verified Training programs
• Unpacking common misconceptions about training effectiveness in construction —everyone knows it’s necessary, yet almost nobody enjoys it
• Building Skills, Not Just Knowledge: Exploring how the Field Verified Way is designed to transform training from a dreaded task into a dynamic skill-building session, ensuring each step directly contributes to improved on-site proficiency
• Exploring case studies demonstrating how innovative training methods lead to significant improvements on-site, proving that with the right approach, training isn’t just a box to check but a cornerstone of construction excellence
8:20 am Case Study: Evaluating The Success of Phoenix Children’s Hospital in Integrating Quality at Every Stage of the Project Lifecycle to Minimize Warranty Claims & How This Has Impacted Kitchell’s Quality Program Today
Synopsis
- Leveraging kick-off and progress meetings to elevate Quality as a cornerstone for project success
- Identifying Quality-staffing requirements for the successful implementation of the program
- Exploring resulting cost-savings and their influence on future client & stakeholder relationships
- Analyzing why Phoenix Children’s Hospital is a benchmark for Quality Excellence
9:00 am Bridging the Gap Between Project Schedules & Field Realities: Case Study of the University of Washington Behavioral Health Teaching Facility Project
Synopsis
Managing MEP-intensive construction projects poses unique challenges for keeping teams aligned throughout the quality and commissioning processes. Hear a real-world example of how Clark Construction kept the field aligned on a project at the University of Washington Behavioral Health Teaching Center.
• Learn how to automate the delivery of activity status (Cx/QC) from the field into the schedule to increase collaboration, reduce costly rework, and improve acceptance pass rates
• Explore how to keep teams, including trade contractors, on track, and in the process deliver transparency, accountability, and quality throughout the construction lifecycle
• Ensure your team has full confidence in turnover and accelerate timelines
9:30 am Chair’s Closing Remarks
9:40 am Speed Networking & Morning Refreshments
After The Morning Break, We Will Break Into 4 Tracks For The Rest Of The Day:
Track 1
Cancer Biopsies
Cancer Biopsies
Collecting & Utilizing Data
10:40 am Establishing Robust Metrics & Systems of Measurement to Evaluate Quality Program Success
Synopsis
- Identifying the right metrics to measure Quality in different market sectors
- Establishing integrated systems of measurement to consistently and accurately record metrics
- Improving alignment and collaboration across the industry to define standard metrics and metric tracking
11:40 am Case Study: Harnessing Data Collected to Inform System Improvements
Synopsis
- Extracting trends and lessons learned from metrics collected
- Creating dashboards to visualize trends easily
- Working with teams to understand root cause of quality issues and determine preventative measures that can be taken
- Transforming lessons learned into best practices for other project teams
12:40 pm Lunch Break
Improving Field Adoption
1:40 pm Integrating Quality Activities into Existing Field Workflows to Improve Quality Process Implementation
Synopsis
- Getting field staff bought-into integrating Quality into their daily tasks
- Integrating Quality into existing tools, such as jobsite reports, to reduce the perception of additional work
- Creating robust support systems to hold staff accountable to ensure effective implementation
2:40 pm Improving Building Enclosure Outcomes Through Strengthened Glazing Subcontractor Process Controls
Synopsis
• Spotlighting projects that haven’t performed as planned due to subcontractor and installer insufficiencies
• Surveying common areas of concern for building enclosure and glazing construction defects
• Exploring industry efforts to improve glazing quality and building enclosure performance
3:20 pm Clearly Defining Responsibilities Across Quality & Operations Teams to Improve Cross-Functional Productivity
Synopsis
- Creating systems to support the implementation of Quality without dedicated personnel on project teams
- Scaling up resourcing as projects scale: When should you have more dedicated personnel?
- Working with operational leadership to set clear expectations and ownership over Quality related tasks
- Culturally integrating Quality as a support function, as opposed to a ‘policing’ function
4:20 pm Afternoon Refreshments
Enhancing Trade & GC Relationships
4:40 pm Technical Spotlight: Material Protections Solutions
4:50 pm Panel: Establishing Support & Alignment of Trade & GC Quality Programs
Synopsis
- Evaluating the main frustrations and fracture points when aligning programs across general and trade contractors
- Improving bi-directional trust and communication
- Working with trades to understand how you can best support their teams to develop a more robust, integrated program
- Exploring the benefits of integrating accountability clauses into contracts to avoid ambiguity in expectations
Track 2
Quality Assurance Best Practice
Quality Assurance Best Practice
Promoting Early Action
10:40 am Clarifying the Role of Each Stakeholder Upfront in Ensuring Quality Implementation to Prevent Scope Ambiguity
Synopsis
- Fostering a collegiate atmosphere between owners, designers, contractors and consultants
- Aligning expectations with clients to ensure appropriate time is carved out for Quality within schedules
- Exploring best practices for avoiding scope gaps during project set-up
11:40 am Sharing Best Practices for Running Efficient Design Reviews
Synopsis
- Distinguishing the key differences between design and constructability reviews, both in terms of purpose and how they can be run
- Exploring best practices for managing and running a successful design review: What is the role of the process owner, and how can you effectively lead the team through the necessary components to optimize outcomes?
- Walking through the step by step process of conducting an effective design review to understand where you can improve with your own teams
12:40 pm Lunch Break
Optimizing Design Documents
1:40 pm Developing Effective Constructability Reviews to Reduce Rework & Ensure Cost & Schedule Certainty
Synopsis
- Getting buy-in for the completion of constructability reviews on your project
- Implementing benchmarks for assessing the Quality and constructability of designs
- Discussing best practices for running effective constructability reviews: What are the elements that commonly get missed?
- Harnessing technology beyond clash detection to ensure different design components function together
- Continuing constructability reviews on addendums and bulletins as drawings are re-issued
2:40 pm Developing Effective Communication of Data for Commissioning
Synopsis
• Integrating field staff into the commissioning process
• Exploring best practices for integrating quality into the commissioning process
• Streamlining reporting with cross-functionality
3:10 pm Panel: Improving the Quality of Design Documentation to Prevent Contractor Misalignment Regarding Project Cost or Scope
Synopsis
- Defining the characteristics of world-class design documentation
- Tailoring specifications to the scope of work rather than ‘copy and pasting’ of previous projects
- Understanding how you can ensure continuous improvement in specifications and design documentation to keep up with industry advancements
4:10 pm Afternoon Refreshments
Assessing Quality During Prequalification
4:50 pm Audience Discussion: Developing a Robust System of Prequalification for Suppliers & Manufacturers to Ensure Quality & Compliance of Deliverables
Synopsis
- Defining criteria for value-based procurement over lowest-cost
- Building systems to verify supplier’s Quality programs and compliance to regional standards ahead of procurement of product
- Exploring the role of factory witness tests to evaluate the strength of supplier Quality programs
- Strengthening relationships with suppliers to ensure they provide high Quality customer service and mitigate issues on projects
Track 3
Quality Control Best Practice
Quality Control Best Practice
From Critical Incidence to Best Practice
10:40 am Panel: Driving Accountability for Capturing Incidences of Rework to Inform Prevention in Future Projects
Synopsis
- Overcoming resistance to documenting issues: How can you convince field personnel of the value add? How can you ease concerns of increased client visibility?
- Improving the ease of recording incidences of rework to increase the adoption of this process
- Maintaining long-term focus and accountability for documenting rework
11:40 am Conducting Effective Post-Project Reviews to Ensure Learnings Are Taken Forward & Improvements Are Realized
Synopsis
- Understanding the most valuable questions to ask project teams to draw out lessons learned
- Ensuring the fundamental learning is captured and shared in a way that it can be adopted by other teams
- Holding teams accountable to implementing takeaways into future projects
12:40 pm Lunch Break
Transforming Inspections
1:40 pm Audience Discussion: Bolstering Tools & Training Resources to Enhance Effectiveness of Inspections
Synopsis
- Simplifying inspection templates for easier navigation and adoption by operations teams
- Discovering the role of advanced technologies for enhancing inspections
- Elevating the training being delivered to field teams on how to conduct an effective inspection
2:40 pm Taking Quality to the Finish Line: Integrated On-Site Systems to Build a Quality-Centric Culture
Synopsis
• Exploring key points in developing a Quality-centric culture for superior building outcomes while reducing risks and total costs
• Identifying impactful opportunities where Quality becomes ingrained into onsite implementation and construction teams
• Adapting to industry changes, such as evolving workforce dynamics, materials development, and changing legislative landscapes
3:10 pm Benchmarking World-Class Inspection & Testing Plan (ITP) Templates to Ensure All Project, Material & Regulatory Requirements Are Accounted For
Synopsis
- Ensuring all regulatory and contract requirements, as well as client preferences, are well understood to feed into your ITP
- Creating a robust plan that incorporates client inspection requirements into preexisting internal inspection workflows, without increasing the burden on project teams and trade partners
- Integrating lessons learned into future ITPs to further enhance their effectiveness
4:10 pm Afternoon Refreshments
Upgrading Checklists
4:40 pm Reducing Risk in the Installation of an Air Barrier System to Improve the Moisture & Energy Performance of a Building
Synopsis
• Describing how quality management systems can be applied to the construction process and how quality assurance differentiates with quality control
• Assessing potential impacts on cost, scheduling, building performance, and durability by poor installation of air barriers.
• Describing language required in a specification that provides key criteria in regard to implementing an air barrier site quality assurance program to reduce liability and risk
• Defining key components of the ABAA air barrier site quality assurance program and assessing the importance of each component and how they interrelate
4:50 pm Building Easy-To-Use Checklists to Ensure All Scopes Are Effectively Accounted for
Synopsis
- Collaborating with teams to identify common challenges with implementing checklists and improving templates accordingly
- Helping teams create specific checklists for complex, unique project requirements, as well as routine jobs
- Harnessing technology to automate certain aspects of checklists and ease completion in the field
Track 4
Project Quality Lessons Learned
Project Quality Lessons Learned
Building Envelopes
10:40 am Understanding Water Intrusion Risk Factors in Different Climates: What are the Best Mitigation Strategies?
Synopsis
- Examining common failures at each transition point in the envelope during design evaluation: What are the mitigation strategies being most successfully employed for each?
- Identifying the most effective barrier products that can be used in different climate zones
- Ensuring robust coordination of all building envelope trades to adhere to installation instructions and minimize scope gaps
11:40 am Ensuring Envelope Materials & Air Barriers Work Seamlessly Together to Maximize Building Energy Efficiency
Synopsis
- Assessing common challenges with building wraps and connections that result in envelope gaps
- Judging the optimal permeability for an air barrier depending on the project’s needs
- Establishing clear timelines for when it is safe to add flashings and other additional elements post air barrier installation
12:40 pm Lunch Break
Industrial Products & Systems
1:40 pm Discovering Best Practices for Concrete Quality Review to Ensure Confidence in Structural Integrity
Synopsis
- Selecting the right type of concrete and additives for specific project types and geos
- Ensuring effective waterproofing, site drainage and joint and crack sealing strategies to prevent mould and structural deterioration
- Harnessing field technologies to continuously monitor and test of concrete levelling and overall health
- Educating field teams to stay informed on the latest material advancements and how to adapt quality testing accordingly
2:40 pm The Dirty Truth About QC: Ensure Reality Matches the Plan
Synopsis
• Enable real time reporting from field to office to catch issues and create opportunities
• Embrace automation to expedite QC reporting
• Create unmatched transparency to effortlessly build your quality culture
3:10 pm Audience Discussion: Benchmarking Best Practices for Testing of Industrial Piping Systems to Enhance Accuracy & Safety of Facility
Synopsis
- Evaluating the testing parameters for mechanical piping depending on different mediums
- Communicating safety protocols effectively to field teams to ensure adherence
- Examining the tools available for heavy industrial pipe testing and how these can be best used
4:10 pm Afternoon Refreshments
Working With Utilities
4:40 pm Mitigating Risks Early with AI: How Pre-Construction Design Review Just Got a Whole Lot Easier
Synopsis
• Exploring actionable insights to reduce risk and elevate project quality for GCs, Architects, and Developers
• Improving bid accuracy, mitigating risks, enhancing decision-making, and strengthening stakeholder relations
• Increasing clarity, efficiency, and accuracy in pre-construction through constructability
4:50 pm Understanding Existing Utility Systems & Connections to Streamline Integration of System Upgrades
Synopsis
• Using surveying technologies to investigate existing conditions
• Reviewing documented issues with existing utilities to inform upgrades ahead of new system integration
• Understanding and managing common Quality issues when connecting to existing utilities