Construction Dispute Solved with Computer Graphics

摘要

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. For the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) pictures in the form of computer graphics resulted in the successful defense of a construction contract claim of more than $8,000,000. After completing construction of a $20,000,000 water reclamation facility, EBMUD was faced with a lawsuit by the construction contractor for extra time and extra money. The issues raised were very complex and technical, as is the case in most construction litigation. This wastewater utility formed a legal team that developed creative ways to present the technical material to jurors with a non-technical background. This paper will compare and contrast the effectiveness of presenting technical information to non-technical people using old methods such as flip charts, overheads, and photos with newer methods made available through the use of the personal computer, digital camera, and digital projector. The focus will be on power of technology in presenting technical material and the importance of presenting your side of the story in a manner that is clear, concise, understandable, and persuasive. The paper will share the actual presentation materials successfully used by EBMUD to win its case. Other utilities, consultants and contractors may find new ways to apply technology to persuade decision-makers and successfully resolve their disputes after reviewing this information.