#50 - Case History - You can do the right thing, but it can still go wrong!

GBA Podcast

GBA Case History Series – Case History #50 - You can do the right thing, but it can still go wrong!

Summary

An environmental consultant performed a remedial investigation and feasibility study for a state water commission on a Superfund site. When the approval process and project start date gets delayed, the new project manager makes modifications on the proposals and procedures but fails to obtain proper approvals. To avoid a litigation with water commission, the principal in charge offers to complete an approved remedial investigation.

Our Hosts:

• Elizabeth Brown, PE - National Practice Team Manager - Geotechnical/Atlas Technical Consultants

Elizabeth is the Geotechnical Services Manager at Atlas Technical Consultants in Boise, Idaho. Elizabeth has performed and/or assisted with numerous geotechnical investigations throughout Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming managing projects, providing geotechnical design, project quality control, cost and value engineering, and evaluating geotechnical constructability issues.

• Abi Corbett – Project Consultant/SME

Abi is a Project Consultant at SME experienced in managing a variety of steel, concrete, coatings, and nondestructive testing projects. She specializes in managing projects related to DOT fabrication quality assurance reviews but also supports project managers throughout SME’s various service groups.

Lessons Learned:

• The best project teams are both technically proficient AND business savvy.
• Don't lose sight of what you don't know. Remember, we all have blind spots.
• Regulatory requirements must be followed unless approved and documented in advance by the appropriate authorities.
• Navigating relationships between Agencies and Project Parties requires a delicate balance of diplomacy, assertiveness, and a firm commitment to doing things by the book.
• Financial fortitude shows a firm's commitment to integrity and accountability.

Calls-to-action:

• Download Case History #50
• Visit the following link to access all of GBA’s Case Histories: https://www.geoprofessional.org/gba-case-histories/
• An account is required to download the individual Case Histories, which are free for GBA Member Firms.
• Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for other training resources and reference materials and/or to become a member.
• Visit https://www.gbapodcast.com for future Podcast Episodes
• Contact us at [email protected] with any podcast-related questions or comments

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This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

• Elizabeth Brown, PE - National Practice Team Manager - Geotechnical/Atlas Technical Consultants
• Abi Corbett – Project Consultant/SME
• Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/PBS Engineering and Environmental