Was Grenfell’s disastrous fire due in part to an all-too-common risk transfer strategy?

Grenfell Tower, a UK public housing project that caught fire recently, was a true disaster that is most likely directly attributable to incompatible design specifications and implementation by established architecture, engineering and construction professionals. I've been holding off publishing much about the event until there is more consensus from the forensic experts regarding root cause, … Continue reading Was Grenfell’s disastrous fire due in part to an all-too-common risk transfer strategy? →

Things you can’t learn in school: Troubleshooting

Andrea Marson wrote a great post discussing the art of troubleshooting within the context of engineering. This is a topic that has a great deal of personal meaning to me as well, as a forensic analyst investigating high-stakes and complex disputes involving real estate and construction. Although Marson is an electronics and software professional, some … Continue reading Things you can’t learn in school: Troubleshooting →

What is Agile project management, and why would I want that?

Agile (with a capital "A") project management is a set of practices for moving complex projects along as efficiently as possible, with the primary goal of meeting customer needs through continuous innovation. It is also a practice I've used on multiple occasions in a variety of contexts, and I'll be honest — there is a … Continue reading What is Agile project management, and why would I want that? →

Seth Godin reaffirms the importance of first defining “Quality” before it can be achieved

Quality, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Having been involved in evaluating quality at more than 10,000 building units over the past two decades, the definition of the word quality is something I've spent many, many hours contemplating. When it comes to quality in the marketing world, and particularly in writing about marketing, … Continue reading Seth Godin reaffirms the importance of first defining “Quality” before it can be achieved →

Marriott to use prefabrication and modular construction on up to 50 new hotels

Marriott is going modular in a major way. By prefabricating portions of hotels off-site in controlled environments, and then assembling the modular components, the hotel chain sees numerous advantages. With one prefab modular hotel already operational, the company is now planning to pursue the process on up to 50 more. Clayton Moore, of Digital Tends, … Continue reading Marriott to use prefabrication and modular construction on up to 50 new hotels →