In this episode of the Build America Podcast, host Scott Jennings dives into the delicate balance between over-designing and under-designing in construction projects. From the high costs of failure prevention to the equally damaging costs of engineering oversights, Scott explores where the “sweet spot” of pragmatic engineering lies.Using real-world examples, industry research, and lessons from decades in heavy civil construction, Scott shares insights into how owners, engineers, and contractors can work together to deliver safe, efficient, and cost-effective infrastructure.Key Discussion Points:Why both over-engineering and under-engineering can drive up project costs.The evolution of design codes from ASD to LRFD and their role in preventing failure.Real-world consequences of poor design and construction execution.How timing impacts cost—why waiting “until next year” rarely saves money.The importance of contractor participation in value engineering.How to achieve pragmatic engineering that balances safety, cost, and efficiency.Scott’s story is a powerful example of leadership, persistence, and community collaboration—showing that even the toughest infrastructure challenges can be solved with trust, transparency, and vision.🔔 Subscribe & Stay Connected:Connect with Scott Jennings, host of Build America PodcastWebsite: https://sjcivil.com/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scott-jennings-p-e-1435103Email: sj@sjcivil.comhttps://anchor.fm/sjccsitesurveyWhile you’re there, please rate & review the show—it helps more people in construction and engineering discover these insights.#BuildAmericaPodcast #ConstructionManagement #CivilEngineering #Infrastructure #ProjectManagement #EngineeringDesign #ValueEngineering #ConstructionIndustry #EngineeringPodcast
Operating without a contractor’s license can be anywhere from inconvenient to illegal. Hear here why you should consider obtaining a license. http://sjcivil.net/news/why-to-get-a-contractors-license/
Gantt charts have long been the established norm for construction scheduling. Linear scheduling is not nearly as common, especially in America, but can be a great tool. http://sjcivil.net/news/linear-scheduling-effective-with-a-bend-of-your-mind/
The effects on a Project by an Owner who untimely, in a “last minute” manner, postpones a bid are significant – here’s how. http://sjcivil.net/news/a-kick-in-the-well-you-know-last-minute-bid-postponement/
Construction claims are generated using many tools and many different methodologies. Listen here to learn some of the basic to intermediate approaches. http://sjcivil.net/podcast/claims-tools-methodologies/
Knowing how to read a concrete mix design is helpful for the project management team: from project manager to foreman. Here are some basics. http://sjcivil.net/engineering/cake-batter-and-concrete-mix-design-same-thing/
Being the best employee does require having traits which benefit your company, but one trait more than any other will help you as an employee benefit yourself and your own career. It’s called being coachable. http://sjcivil.net/management/help-yourself-be-the-most-coachable-player/
In construction, or after the fact in the permanent structure, engineers are predicting structural behavior and trying to either control a failure or minimize it. Herein are ways engineers engineer failure in both instances – via deflection. http://sjcivil.net/news/ways-that-engineers-manage-failure-deflection/
Basically, from the dictionary, a bridge carries a road across an obstacle. On top it could be a railway, or it could be a walking path, or it could be a vehicle roadway. And down below it could be going over a river or it could be a ravine, or it could be another road. Everyone knows what a bridge is; however, not everyone knows the names of the components of a bridge. http://sjcivil.net/news/bridges-101-what-makes-up-a-bridge/
Loss of productivity claims for contractors are common, and always difficult to be successful with against an owner. ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers), primarily an Owner’s advocate, has provided contractors with another tool for their toolbox: ASCE Standard 71-21 Identifying, Quantifying, and Proving Loss of Productivity. It was published in 2021. http://sjcivil.net/news/another-contractor-claims-tool-asce-71-21-identifying-quantifying-and-proving-loss-of-productivity/
There exists an insurance product to mitigate the risk associated with catastrophic failure of a construction company. It’s called Project Loss Insurance. http://sjcivil.net/news/project-loss-insurance-heard-of-it/
Debt, at least in the American construction business, is helpful when it comes to growth. Here’s a couple reasons why. http://sjcivil.net/news/debt-you-need-it/
Civil construction is the same, but different, in New Zealand. Some terms and methods which vary from American civil construction follow. http://sjcivil.net/means-methods/utes-and-bunds-working-in-new-zealand/
Bluebeam Revu is a tool that’s been around for several years now to aid in the manipulation of pdf documents – hear a little bit about it here and why I insist on using it. http://sjcivil.net/software/bluebeam-revu-review/
In a world now so heavily reliant upon computers, many construction professionals try to automate the entire process, of whatever they may be working on. Some things will still have to be manual, and that’s ok. http://sjcivil.net/engineering/dont-be-afraid-of-a-little-manual-work-its-ok/
Properly planning and monitoring the work can result in a safer and more profitable activity. Here’s one way to do it in utility installation. http://sjcivil.net/operations/keep-the-excavator-digging-it-drives-the-cost/
Many approaches exist for estimating – two of them being a theoretical approach versus a production history approach. One is based on what you think, the other on what you know. These terms may not be familiar to you, but the difference in execution may be. http://sjcivil.net/news/estimating-theoretical-versus-production-history/
Scott Jennings and Patrick Mullen gave a very frank presentation on what runs through the contractor’s mind in his/her creation of a bid, formulation of a changer order, and preparation of a claim. Both cost and time. http://sjcivil.net/webinars/inside-the-contractor-mind-bidding-change-orders-claims/
Scott Jennings and Patrick Mullen gave a very frank presentation on what runs through the contractor’s mind in his/her creation of a bid, formulation of a change order, and preparation of a claim. Both cost and time. http://sjcivil.net/news/inside-the-contractors-mind-bidding-change-orders-claims/
Create a static bid item in all of your bids to serve as a checklist for indirect costs – both jobsite and corporate indirects! http://sjcivil.net/estimating/using-a-static-indirect-bid-item-in-your-bids/