White Papers

The primary mission of the Construction Contract Administration Knowledge Community is to create a dialogue among its members and  to disseminate knowledge to its members and to the profession. This knowledge can be presented in many formats, such as webinars or live presentations, but the format that offers the best opportunities for the KC membership to contribute is our growing library of white papers. These papers, written by members of the CCA KC, cover a broad variety of CCA-related topics, and consist of descriptions of current best practices, investigations into changing CCA roles and responsibilities, and opinion pieces on controversial subjects.

Our ultimate goal is to have every aspect of CCA covered in our library. But we need your help! The 550+ members of the CCA KC represent an enormous body of experience and collective wisdom. The White Paper Library offers each of you the opportunity to share your experiences and knowledge with the rest of the architectural profession. We appreciate your help in building our library, and look forward to hearing from many of you.

Review the CCA White Paper Library | CCA White Paper Submission

We are inviting all of you to consider writing one or more papers for the library. What can you write about? CCA whitepapers fall into the following general topic areas: contract review, RFIs, submittals, instructions, field observations and reports, pay app review, office functionals, close out, OAC meetings and minutes, communications.

White papers currently posted:

 
2018

• RFIs: What’s good, what’s bad & what’s ugly about them
• Reviewing the schedule of values

 
2017

• Delay claims
• Collaboration between architect and contractor
• Site photography
• Submittal triage

• “Complying with all laws” during design and construction
• Beware of substitutions dressed in RFI or submittal clothing
• Ready and underway: The owner's case for commissioning
• If we keep on doing what we've always done…
• Custom Cars, Mercury Rising, and the Elusive Goal for Construction Productivity
• To Architectural Interns: Preparing for the ARE Construction Documents Services

• Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Construction
• Budgeting for the Construction Phase
• From Amish Construction "Barn Raising" to Integrated Project Delivery
• Out-of-State and Overseas Projects
• Why Architects Should Be Involved with CCA on Small Projects
• Being Precise in the Construction World

• The Nature of Public Bid Projects
• Emotional Intelligence in Construction Contract Administration
• Documenting Design Intent

• Construction Contract Administration in Integrated Project Delivery
• LEED and CCA: Best Practices for Achieving Certification During Construction

2011

• Self-Defense for Architects

2010

• Foxhole or Phalanx: Follow or Lead the Way
• Why We No Longer Stamp Shop Drawings at Leo A. Daly
• Product Substitutions
• Alternate Project Delivery & Construction Contract Administration
• The Trust Machine: Linking Trust With Project Success
• Life at the Coalface: Boundary Barriers, Border Membrane
• The Problem of Collaboration: Knot Theory, Self-Interest & Situational Judgment
• The Risky Business of Changing Construction Contract Documents
• Shop Drawing Response
• User's Guide to Specifying a Project Website for Electronic Construction Administration Phase Submittals

Other Papers of Interest

• Primer on Project Delivery

FAQs

How long should the papers be?
However many words it takes to make your point and cover your topic.

Do I have to write about any specific topic?
All CCA-related topics are fair game. All we suggest is that before you start writing, send us the title of your proposed article, and a short paragraph describing its contents. If more than one paper is proposed on the same topic or similar topics, we may propose that the two writers collaborate on one paper.

Will whatever I write be posted?
Probably, but the KC Advisory Group will act as peer reviewers. If we see something that doesn’t make sense, or seems contrary to best practices, we will ask you to clarify.

I have things to write about, but I’m not a very good writer. Is that a problem?
Not at all. The AG will perform copy-editing where needed to help the readability of your text.

Is there a deadline?
Nope. Whenever you have something you want to write about, let us know.