Track changes?

[drile007]

Hi,

How do you track changes in a project? I'm working as a structural engineer and I'm sinking in architecture modifications? Do you have any suggestions or how do you deal with them?

Thanx in advance

 

[DaveAtkins]

We issue a Change Order to the Client, preferably BEFORE doing the Work. I know (I have been there) this is not always possible.

You may get to a point where you must threaten to stop working on the Project in order to resolve payment issues.

DaveAtkins

 

[jike]

Keep a running tab on an excel spreadsheet or something similar. Include description of change, date, person authorizing change, estimated engineering dollars (if hourly) or fixed fee, estimated construction dollars, impact to schedule, etc. You may not need all of these depending on your agreement with the architect.


As Dave said, the sooner you communicate the impact of the change, the better. Re-issue this spreadsheet every time there is a change. Ignore the small items and just roll them into the larger items so it doesn't appear that you are charging them for every little thing.

You might consider listing changes that you do not intend to charge them for. Use this for PR purposes.

 

[DonPhillips]

I agree in tracking the gratis services, including tracking the time for telephone calls and things like that. Depending on your acocunting software, it can help you to determine how profitable your project and help you create more accurate proposals.


Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[drile007]

What about tracking them within PDF...I heard that it's possible...do you have any experience?