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DISPUTE RESOLUTION BOARD

The foundation of any successful construction project is adequate planning and assembling the right resources to carry out the plan. A typical project plan addresses how quality, financial, and time goals will be met. But, project plans seldom address how to manage conflict, even though conflict poses significant risk to a project’s success. The construction owner and contractor have a vested interest in minimizing the risk of escalating conflict on a construction project. First, conflict must be addressed early because conflict worsens and becomes more difficult to resolve the longer it is allowed to fester. Second, the method of addressing conflict should forge positive working relationships to lessen future conflict and foster team work.

The Dispute Resolution Board (DRB) process meets these objectives. DRB is one of the most successful and enduring tools to control construction disputes. A DRB is a panel of impartial professionals formed at the beginning of a project to follow construction progress and be available on short notice to resolve disputes. The DRB process has an impressive record for all types of public and private projects including mass-transit; building construction and renovation; utility; paving; and aviation projects.

Learn more at the DRB Foundation.