EVENTS CALENDAR

Please note that this is an 12 hour course that takes place over 3 days.  

There is no oppourtunity to re-schedule or for a partial refund if a student cannot attend all sessions. 

There is an Orientation session that will be scheduled the week before the class.  You will receive a calendar appointment from the instructor for the session.

For the first time, we are bringing virtual instructor-led expertise to your office through the synergy of multi-disciplinary trainers’ knowledge that has only been delivered at conferences.  And it gets better!  In the past, conference presentations have been focused on a one-way exchange of know-how from the speakers to you.  This course moves beyond that one-way exchange to allow you to apply what you have learned. 

A team of multi-disciplinary experts will provide you with exceptional feedback, great insight and actionable strategies.  We look forward to sharing this expertise with you.

Project success takes more than just understanding what is “written” in your contract; it’s about leveraging key requirements from start to finish!

DESCRIPTION:

Many projects run into cost overruns, schedule delays, quality and performance issues. Thus, Project Owners are looking for solutions! 

Construction Management is a great solution if done well!  Construction Management is about building a collaborative team from the outset of the project.  The team is comprised of the Project Owner, Consultant and Contractors to address the key areas of functional requirements, time, cost, quality, and constructability.

Whether you are the Project Owner, Consultant, General Contractor or Subcontractor, you need to understand your Construction Management roles and responsibilities throughout all project phases: predesign, design, project delivery and post construction. You also need to be well versed in the Construction Management project drivers and concepts in order to fulfil your contractual responsibilities and achieve success.  A well-orchestrated Construction Management project drives success for all partners. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

In this session, from a team of industry partners’ perspectives, you will:

• Gain an understanding of the Construction Management process
• Recognize when to use Construction Management as a Delivery Method
• Learn the roles of each partner for collaborative success
• Identify tools and techniques to optimize Construction Management performance
• Grasp the nuances of the different forms of Construction Management contracts – CCDC 5A|5B (industry standard contracts)
• Understand the duties assigned and compensation for Preconstruction, Construction and Post-Construction in the CCDC 5A | 5B
• Practice the key elements to focus on for project success:

• Engage the design assist process
• Align budgets to estimates
• Use design control to promote cost control
• Apply the learned knowledge to establish the Construction Manager’s compensation
• Discuss the pros and cons for conversion to consolidated pricing
• Acquire critical insights into the challenges with the Construction Management Delivery Method

FORMAT:

• Live, Online, Instructor-led training, with a maximum class size of 20 students.
• This workshop is facilitated on the Zoom platform. Access information from the instructor will be provided to you in advance of the orientation and training.
• Attendance and participation in all three workshop sessions is mandatory for workshop completion. *Please note that If a student misses a class session, we are unable to transfer registration or provide a partial refund of the registration fees.

AUDIENCE:

• Understanding the keys to success for construction management is important for all industry partners!  This course is most applicable to mid-management personnel who will actively be working on Construction Management projects and administering the contract.

  • General Contractors and Subcontractors:
  • Construction Company Owners/Managers
  • Project Managers
  • Commercial Managers
  • Estimators
  • Business Development Managers
  • Project Owners – Public and Private
  • Third party Project Managers (for the Project Owner)
  • Architects and Engineers
  • Bonding and Insurance specialists

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Computer or laptop
   • Windows 10 or Mac iOS is recommended 
2. Internet connection - For best results, you will want to ensure you have an internet connection with an upload/download speed of 3-5 Mbps. You can test your internet speed here. Minimum recommended speed is 1.5 Mbps, but anything below 3 Mbps may result in loss of quality or buffering. Ideally hardwired connection versus wireless for stability - connect your computer directly to your router using an ethernet cable, rather than using your home wi-fi.
3. A quiet space with minimal distractions - Please plan to be fully engaged in the class and clear your work schedule just as you would for the in-class program.  
4. Comfortable chair 

This course is delivered in partnership between your local construction association and other associations throughout Western Canada. You’ll be participating in a cohort with industry peers from across these regions. 

INSTRUCTORS:

Mark Scharf, BA Hons, MHA

Mark recently retired from the University of Calgary where he was responsible for the delivery of capital projects across the organization. The annual workload entailed approximately 400 capital and renovation projects per year with an annual project spend of approximately $150M. During his 12- year tenure as Director, the Project Management Office delivered   9 new buildings including multiple teaching and applied research buildings, major infrastructure renewals, new residence halls and a new main library. Mark was actively engaged with procuring design and construction teams and negotiating and overseeing a wide variety of contracts including Design Build, Construction Management at Risk, Lump Sum and performance-based engagements.

Mark brings 30 plus years of public sector experience with both post-secondary and health organizations including the Calgary Health Region and Age Care Senior Communities. Mark takes pride in building strong teams, mentoring the next generation of project professionals and engaging diverse stakeholders in achieving outstanding results.

Craig Shirra, AScT, GSC, PSQ, LEEDGA

Director, Development - UBC Properties Trust

Craig is currently the Director of Development at UBC Properties Trust, where he acts as the owner’s project managers for all new capital projects at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus and Kelowna region.

Craig stated his construction career as a steel stud and drywall tradesman working on some of Vancouver’s most significant projects pre-Olympics like the Richmond oval, BC place renovation and Queen Elizabeth Theatre renovation. Craig then joined Task Construction Management, a boutique CM firm managing projects such as the Vernon Library and South Surrey Rec Center. In 2012 Craig joined Bird Construction where he was part of the team that delivered the new UBC Student Union Building, Kelowna RCMP and the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre @ UBC Vancouver.

Craig holds a degree in Construction Management and Diploma of Technology as a graduate of the Architectural Building Engineering Technologies program, both at BCIT.

Craig is a LEED Green Associate, A registered Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS) and has earned his Gold Seal in project management.

Craig is currently leading exciting projects such as the UBCO Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Innovation (ICI) Building, which is a 150,000 square foot research facility, as well as the new UBC Downtown Kelowna Campus.

Walter Strachan, RSW, PQS (F), CSC (F)

Walter has extensive experience earned through over 40 years in the consulting engineering industry with CBCL Limited. During his career he has served as department manager, project manager, corporate quality manager (ISO 9001), corporate risk manager), principal, director, and Chair of the Board at a major Atlantic Canada based engineering and environmental services company.

Upon retirement from CBCL Limited, Walter opened Act 3 Advisory Services, to continue a life-long obsession with all things related to project delivery in the design and construction industry.

Walter’s design and construction interest center around standard practices, project delivery methods, cost planning and control, risk management, and dispute resolution. Those interests resulted in tenures as Chair, Canadian Design Build Institute (CDBI); President, Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS); Chair, Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC); and Board Member, Canadian Construction Association (CCA).  He has also served on several significant Task Teams including MasterFormat; CSC/CSI Uniform Drawing Systems; and the Integrated Delivery (IPD) Task Team.

Walter is the 2021 recipient of the Nova Scotia Consulting Engineers (CENS) Distinguished Service Award.

Elisa Brandts, AAA, OAA, NSAA, FRAIC & Stantec, Managing Senior Principal

Elisa is a Senior Principal and the Business Centre Managing Leader for our buildings group in British Columbia. Her role combines active senior team leadership and financial and studio management with managing significant projects, particularly of large-scale alternate delivery scope, IPD and those integrating Lean process.

Elisa’s accomplishments include Eric Hamber Secondary School Replacement Project, Vancouver; Camosun College Alex and Jo Campbell School of Health Sciences, Victoria; Canalta Centre, (2015)*, Medicine Hat, Alberta; Sault Ste. Marie Event Centre, (2006)*,  Sault Ste Marie, Ontario; Youngstown Convocation Center, (2005)*, Youngstown, OH, USA; Rideau Carleton Raceway, (2000)*, Ottawa.

Bob Hildenbrandt, P.Eng., LEED AP, GSC

A dedicated construction professional with over 40 years of experience in the Alberta marketplace.  Bob has recently retired from Graham Construction where he was Vice-President, Prairies.  He developed and led a regional team of construction groups in Western Canada, focused on performance and client satisfaction.

His prior experience includes leadership roles at Ledcor and PCL with an extensive list of major projects as project manager and executive-in-charge.  He was also part of a significant team executing major projects in Alberta’s Oil and Gas market by developing strategic initiatives.  Bob has an excellent reputation in building teams, motivating staff, and overcoming challenges in the delivery of construction projects.  He has developed strong personal relationships throughout all facets of the industry including Clients, Consultants and Trades.

Bob is a past Chair of the Calgary Construction Association and Alberta Construction Association, and was on the Board and Executive of the Canadian Construction Association, as well as chair of national construction industry organizations focused on BIM and Lean Construction.

Roy Timms, P.Eng. (Retired), GSC

Roy’s career in design build construction started about 50 years ago as a student construction labourer and then a superintendent on a small design build renovation project.  Roy is a Professional Engineer who owned a design build company from 1974 to 2019, and a Professional Engineering company for over 30 years.

Roy has served on the Ontario Building Code Commission, is a Past President of the Ontario General Contractors Association, past Chairperson of the Canadian Design Build Institute, the Niagara Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Niagara Industrial Association, as well as other organizations.

Currently Roy acts as an owner’s agent and a strategic advisor to design build contractors.  Roy has experience in private sector industrial, commercial, and retail projects plus municipal work as an owner’s agent and a design builder.  These projects have ranged from small to $32,000,000.

Roy has received many honours, including a Life Membership from the Ontario General Contractors Association, and a Niagara Engineering Award of Merit.

FACILITATOR:

Debbie Hicks, B.Sc. DSH Consulting, Kelowna, BC.

With a comprehensive and varied education background, learning has been at the core of her career.   As former President of the Southern Interior Construction Association in BC for 22 years, liaising with the buyers of construction services, architects, engineers and contractors in advocacy and education brings a solid base to her expertise.  In addition, her experience as the owner representative for the construction of the new Clubhouse for the Kelowna Yacht Club has provided additional perspective. She has been fortunate to work with the Alberta Construction Association to facilitate industry dialogue on “Optimizing the Flow of Money” and “Non-Standard Contract Clauses and their Costs”.  Through these experiences, with a lot of passion and enthusiasm, Debbie is able to bring both knowledge and insight into her work and presentations for the construction industry.

CREDITS:

This course has been accredited by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) for 4 credits towards Gold Seal certification for attendance.
 
 

This course has been approved by BC Housing Licensing and Consumer Services (formerly Homeowners Protection Office) for twelve (12) points towards Continued Professional Development (CPD) for in-class attendance.

This course has been approved by Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) for twelve (12) core units towards AIBC’s Continuing Education System

Cancellation & Substitution Policy: Payment is non-refundable for cancellations made within 7 business days of the course, or non-attendance on the day. Complimentary substitution of another member of your company is accepted. 

If VRCA has to postpone or cancel courses due to insufficient enrolment, VRCA will refund the registration fee or, if possible, the attendee may choose to move to an identical session in the future.