Claim Reduction is a monthly series by the ASCE Committee on Claims Reduction and Management designed to help engineers learn from problems that others have encountered.
The ASCE Committee on Claims Reduction and Management is planning for its third Workshop on Reducing Claims on Alternative Delivery Projects in San Jose, California, May 14-15.
The first two workshops were well attended by senior engineers, contractors, and attorneys – all working to advance collaboration on design-build and progressive design-build projects. This year’s workshop will again focus on design-build (DB) and progressive design-build (PDB), as well as construction manager at risk (CMAR) projects.
This year, we feature invited representatives from the insurance industry. These representatives will discuss professional liability underwriting considerations for DB/PDB/CMAR projects, and current status of project professional liability insurance availability and usage on DB/PDB/CMAR projects. They will share common types and sizes of claims associated with DB/PDB/CMAR projects and examine relevant issues based on previous project history/data. And finally, they will share lessons learned from claims, litigation, and settlements involving DB/PDB/CMAR projects.
Additionally, invited representatives from Design-Build Institute of America, Associated General Contractors, and Water Collaborative Deliver Association will discuss the evolving landscape of DB/PDB/CMAR from their perspectives. These industry leaders will discuss the current state and future outlook of these models, balancing their collaborative benefits with inherent risks and legislative constraints. Attendees will gain a strategic overview of the challenges and opportunities defining modern project delivery, providing a roadmap for navigating the next generation of infrastructure and commercial construction.
A workshop panel will discuss practical frameworks for planning and executing CMAR projects with a specific focus on risk mitigation. Panelists will break down the "when, what, and how" of implementation, offering strategies to reduce both the frequency and financial magnitude of potential claims. By examining recommended practices for early integration and procurement, attendees will learn how to leverage the CMAR model, including lessons learned, to facilitate project stability and minimize the likelihood of disputes.
There will be a session focused on the strategic implementation of DB and PDB models to effectively mitigate project risks. Panelists will detail the "when, what, and how" of executing these delivery methods, emphasizing proactive strategies to reduce the occurrence and severity of claims. Attendees will gain practical insights into aligning procurement and execution workflows, including lessons learned, to facilitate project success and minimize the potential for costly legal disputes.
Another panel will identify the essential contractual elements that drive efficiency in alternative project delivery. Panelists will analyze high-impact contract clauses and use real-world examples to illustrate how specific language can either mitigate or exacerbate project risks. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of key provisions and strategic approaches to contract management designed to streamline delivery and protect all parties involved.
The concluding panel will include owner officials from Caltrans, Port of Seattle, Denver International Airport, and Silicon Valley Clean Water Authority. These organizations use a number of project delivery methods, including design-bid-build, DB, and PDB as well as CMAR. These panelists will discuss how they use various methods to deliver their projects. They will share how they select the delivery method, and the successes and challenges they have faced.
You can find more information and registration at 2026 ASCE Workshop on Reducing Claims on Alternative Delivery Projects.
Learn more at ASCE’s Risk Management Hub.
Read more helpful insights from the committee’s Claim Reduction series on the Civil Engineering Source.