Day-to-day Observations & RFIs

Only when the Works start in earnest do issues arise that many did not foresee.

It isn't necessarily something that may be claimable per se, and it may also be something others would state should have been allowed for when Tendering/entering into Contract.

Nonetheless, in such event, a record should be kept of the activities relating to such issue however, many times when left to its own devices, people tend to default to "catching up" with this when the issue is closed or finished only to discover that records are numerous and need a lot of diligence in collating or, worse, are no longer readily available or spring to mind (when asking staffing resources involved at the time).

When this happens an opportunity is missed.

Commercial-related staff tend to think that when they encounter something ambiguous, it will be up to the engineering-related staff to tackle such matter.

The mere mention of one to the other is sometimes deemed enough insofar as "I have done my job".

Surprisingly, resources sometimes fail to realize they have the power to raise a simple Request for Information (RFI) and voice their concerns formally and in a manner which needs proper response from the other Party.

There is sometimes fear in thinking the question will be answered too easily or dismissively and will reflect on the person raising the question; potentially showing what little they know.

Unfortunately, it should be encouraged to question the other Party (not out of malice) irrespective of whether the question is easily answered or not as it helps to try and ensure everyone is "on the same page".

It can be guaranteed that come the time when the Project is completed and loose ends are to be closed out, the remaining unresolved issues (which did not have RFIs raised) will be dismissed by the other Party with a potential "you should have raised the issue at the time but didn't".

Ultimately, if in doubt, ask as it is better to have a response and not need (insofar as being able to resolve the issue without the response) than need, but not have asked.