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Building a Campus: UGA’s Director of Construction (ft. Melanie Ford)

⏱️ 1:04:51
AUDIO EPISODE
Building a Campus: UGA’s Director of Construction (ft. Melanie Ford)
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Chapters

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  • 0:46
    Design Build vs. CM
    Melanie shares her opinion on Design Build, preferring Construction Management for better balance and practicality, while acknowledging contractors' strengths in schedule and budget.
  • 3:46
    From Architecture to Construction
    Melanie recounts her academic journey, starting in architecture and transitioning to building science after realizing her passion lay in the practical aspects of construction.
  • 18:19
    Early Career Challenges
    Melanie discusses the challenges she faced as a woman entering the male-dominated construction industry in the late 80s, including difficulties finding a job and experiencing sexism.
  • 25:33
    Transition to UGA
    Melanie details her path to becoming Senior Director of Construction at UGA, including her decision to leave private contracting for the stability of a university position during an economic downturn.
  • 35:23
    UGA Project Portfolio
    Melanie outlines the vast array of construction projects at UGA, from athletic facilities like the new softball and tennis complexes to renovations of academic buildings and new residence halls, highlighting the critical importance of project timelines for university operations.
  • 48:41
    Advice for Project Managers
    Melanie offers key advice for project managers, emphasizing thorough pre-construction investigation, proactive communication about issues, and the benefits of asking for help from the owner's team.
  • 58:12
    Task Order Contracting
    Melanie explains UGA's use of task order contracting for smaller projects, allowing them to leverage pre-qualified contractors with established relationships and specialized niches.
  • 1:09:03
    Hard Bid vs. CM Case Study
    Melanie shares a case study comparing hard bid and Construction Management projects at UGA, demonstrating the superior outcomes in terms of schedule, quality, and relationships with CM.
  • 1:24:59
    Project Initiation at UGA
    Melanie clarifies her role in project initiation at UGA, explaining that while she's involved in constructibility reviews and pricing analysis, the design selection process is handled by the Senior Director of Design.
  • 1:54:00
    Communication in Construction
    Melanie stresses the importance of effective communication in construction, advocating for phone calls over emails to prevent misunderstandings and foster better relationships.

Key Takeaways

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Thoroughly investigate existing conditions during the planning and design phase to minimize surprises and delays during construction.

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Be proactive and transparent with owners about project challenges; don't try to solve everything independently, as owners may have resources or influence to help.

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Understand the owner's project delivery preferences and processes, such as Construction Management (CM) or Task Order Contracting, to better align with their operational needs.

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For projects under CM, actively participate in planning and design to offer constructibility insights and contribute to cost and schedule adherence.

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Prioritize direct communication, like phone calls, over extensive email chains to avoid miscommunication and foster stronger working relationships with owners and other stakeholders.

✦

Seek feedback from owners and be open to constructive criticism to continuously improve project delivery and build lasting partnerships.

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Familiarize yourself with the owner's design standards and expectations, as this knowledge can give you a competitive edge in qualifications-based selections.

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