ETHICS - Talk me through being offered a gift on One Exchange Square?
CONTEXT:
On One Exchange Square, we had just awarded the demolition and enabling works package to a Contractor.
The Contractor in question, following confirmation of awarding the contract, offered me a case of wine, as a thank you.
ACTION:
WHY / LESSONS LEARNED:
ETHICS - Is it ever acceptable to receive gifts?
There are situations where it would be accept a gift, but only if:
For example, if a longstanding consultant on the project offered to buy me a coffee, and I felt it would not adversely compromise my judgement, I could possibly accept.
ETHICS - How do you maintain professional competence?
I maintain professional competence by undertaking regular and structured CPD (48-hours as an RICS Trainee).
For example, I recently undertook some CPD with a construction lawyer who outlined the key changes to the JCT 2024. These included:
(1) New relevant events included, such as Epidemics
(2) Modernisation of gender-neutral language
(3) Reducing time periods for responding to Extensions of Time (from 12 weeks to 8 weeks)
ETHICS - How do you act with integrity?
To act with integrity means to be honest, transparent and do the right thing, even when it’s difficult.
For example, by owning up to mistakes (recently included a VAT allocation on a small sole trader), or by ensuring that I communicate openly with third-party stakeholders.
ETHICS - How do you provide good quality output?
I ensure that my work is line with the Client’s requirements. For example, by adapting my monthly reports so it complies with my clients requirements.
ETHICS - How do you treat Others with respect?
I ensure that everyone in a project team feels welcome and able to share their views.
At the end of meetings, I ensure I go around the room so everyone is able to provide comment.
I also ensure to provide written feedback to unsuccesful tendering parties.
ETHICS - How do you promote Trust in the profession?
I promote trust by doing what I say I will. For example, when dealing with third party stakeholders on One Exchange Square, I will interrogate complaints and seek to minimise disruption wherever possible.
I.e. changing the contractors noisy working hours so it limits disruption to neighbouring tenants
ETHICS - Talk me through working in the limits of your competence?
CONTEXT:
On 1 Finsbury Avenue, during the feasibility stage, my Client was deliberating whether to proceed with a CAT A or CAT B finish.
To assist their decision making process, they asked if I could provide some indicative construction cost estimates, and lettings value with each option.
ACTION:
I informed the Client that providing such advice falled outside of my professional competence, and they should seek advice from a Cost Consultant and Lettings Agent respectively. I also recommended some consultants that I had worked with on other projects.
WHY / LESSONS LEARNED:
1) To ensure I complied with the RICS Rules of Conduct (Members must provide services only within their areas of competence)
2) To protect the client, by ensuring that advice was accurate.
3) To ensure that I reduced risk for potential professional negligence claims.
ETHICS - How did you maintain equality whilst tendering for a main contractor?
CONTEXT:
Undertaking the tendering process on 1TS.
ACTION:
I advised my Client that, in order to maintain equality and transparency, we should pre-issue the assessment criteria matrix to all tendering parties. The assessment criteria included weightings, which would enable contractors to understand how they were being asssessed.
The assessment criteria included:
1) Cost (30%)
2) Programme (30%)
3) Experience and Case Studies (20%)
4) Sustainability Credentials (20%)
WHY / LESSONS LEARNED:
1) To ensure that I complied with the RICS Rules of Conduct / Ethical Standards (Foster equality between tendering parties; provide a high standard of service)
2) Highlighted the benefits this would give to the tender process (contractors would focus on the clients core objectives, leading to a better outcome).
ETHICS - What should you do if you are asked a question by one tendering contractor?
It depends on the question being asked, however I understand the importance of maintaining fairness, integrity and impartiality during the tender process.
If the question was not sensitive (i.e. disclosed commercial information from the party), I would:
1) Record the question
2) Check if it gave the tendering party an advantage
3) Prepare a written, neutral response simultaneously.
CLIENT CARE - How have you reported to the client on One Exchange Square?
1) Written Communication - Weekly Newsflashes, Monthly Reports
2) Visual Communication - GANTT Charts, Risk Registers, CGIs
3) Oral Communication - Fortnightly project meetings
CLIENT CARE - How do you tailor it to the specific recipients? Can you give some examples?
Before reporting, I evaluate (1) What I am reporting, (2) Who am I reporting to, and (3) What is the intended purpose.
For example, when reporting to the Malaysian client on One Exchange Square, who are not experienced within the construction sector, I ensure that reporting is non-technical and high-level, giving them the associated cost and programme impacts, as succintcly as possible.
This differs when reporting to British Land, who are a more experienced client.
CLIENT CARE - Talk me through adapting your approach on One Exchange Square?
CONTEXT:
ACTION:
WHY / LESSONS LEARNED:
COMMUNICATION & NEGOTIATION - Talk me through a time you have negotiated an appointment on One Exchange Square
CONTEXT:
ACTION:
COMMUNICATION & NEGOTIATION - How would you adapt your communication style when delivering technical vs non-technical advice?
Example:
When agreeing some demolition works in the near vicinity of adjoining building owners, I adapted my advice when speaking with the Contracting Team vs. the Third Party Stakeholders.
When agreeing the method with the contractor, I referenced specific acoustic reduction criteria with technical language (for example, targetting a DB reduction of 10Db)
When speaking with the adjoining owners, I did not reference the specific criteria, but instead highlighted that adequate noise reduction measures would be installed.
COMMUNICATION & NEGOTIATION - What’s an example of a difficult negotiation you have done and how have you dealt with it?
On One Exchange Square, I assisted my Project Director when agreeing the retained structure risk.
Client’s requirement - transfer as much risk as possible to the Contractor.
Contractor’s requirement - Limit risk allocation to steel members / structure that they had amended.
Before undertaking the negotiation, I:
1) Outlined with the Client Team what the end goal was
2) Established the non-negotiatables vs. negotiables (i.e. below ground structure it was felt was difficult to pass to the contractor given the building constraints - willing to concede)
The negotiation took place, with the end outcome being that:
1) Below ground structure remained a client risk
2) Above ground structure was passed to the contractor. However during the PCSA, the Contractor was paid to undertake their own detailed survey, with an agreed stance that any required remedial works to existing structure would be paid for by the Client.
3) Both sides came out like they had gained something.
HEALTH & SAFETY - Talk me through when you addressed H&S Concerns on site?
CONTEXT:
ACTION:
HEALTH & SAFETY - Talk me through the process of overseeing the production of the H&S File on 1FA? What was included?
HEALTH & SAFETY - What is the CSCS Health and Safety Test? What did you learn?
HEALTH & SAFETY - What did passing the CSCS allow you to do?
It allows me to legally and safely access construction sites as a recognised competent person.
CONTRACT PRACTICE - What contractual documents did you include in the 1ES JCT D&B?
VOLUME 1: The Contract, including the contract particulars, and the conditions of the contract (e.g. design responsibility)
VOLUME 2: Employer’s Requirements (ETRs, PC Checklist, Change Control Procedurre)
VOLUME 3: Contractors Proposals (CSA, Design Information, Clarifications)
CONTRACT PRACTICE - What did you include in the ETRs?
1) Scope of Works
2) Performance and Functional Requirements (Floor to ceiling heights, acoustic criteria, M&E Occupancy design criteria)
3) Sustainability Targets - BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS 5*, WELL Platinum
4) Required completion date
CONTRACT PRACTICE - Why was a JCT D&B used on 1ES?
Two main reasons:
1) Programme - D&B allowed the design and construction phases to overlap, allowing final Stage 4 design to be coordinated whilst enabling some of the strip-out works to commence.
2) Early contractor engagement - cut-and-carve project, so felt that early contractor engagement would be vital, particularly with regard to retaining the facade.
CONTRACT PRACTICE - Why did you use a JCT Minor Works Contract for the leak on 1ES? Why did you feel the need to get an appointment in place?