Talk to me about A&E artwork

Talk to me about A&E

36 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratings

A WTW A&E podcast series focused on risk management for Architects and Engineers. Our host, Dan Buelow, Managing Director of WTW A&E, engages experts across the A&E spectrum on a wide range of critical topics and risk trends impacting design professionals across North America.

Management Business riskmanagement architects designprofessionals engineers risktrends wtwae
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Episodes

Episode 31: What’s Your Liability IQ? Part I

January 30, 2024 13:43 - 37 minutes - 86.9 MB

For this podcast, Dan Buelow has a lively discussion on the DPIC liability IQ with some former DPIC claim managers, Laura Gualiardo, Managing Director of Design Professional Liability Claims for Travelers and Mark Blankenship, Director of Risk Management for WTW A&E. The DPIC liability IQ test was based on DPIC’s Lessons in professional liability written over 25 years ago. Dan’s discussion with Laura and Mark offers some keen insights into a wide range of critical risk management issues stil...

Episode 30: Emerging contract issues

January 08, 2024 13:10 - 48 minutes - 111 MB

In this lively podcast discussion, Dan Buelow addresses four specific emerging contract issues design professionals face: withholding of fees, retaining ownership of documents, informed consent and getting named as an additional insured on the general contractor’s general liability policy. Dan is joined by Lou Gale, General Counsel for the Chicago based architecture firm, SCB and Mark Blankenship, Director of Risk Management for WTW Architects and Engineers. 

Episode 29: Managing a PL Claim Part II

December 18, 2023 15:42 - 33 minutes - 76.4 MB

Dan Buelow continues his discussion on professional liability (PL) claims with Anthony Carolei, Director of Risk Management for Professional Liability for Hanover's A&E program. PL claims are taking longer to settle and costing more to resolve. Understanding the process, including working with defense counsel, alternative dispute resolution and important coverage features and obligations in a design firm’s professional liability policy is critical.

Episode 28: Managing a PL Claim Part I

November 01, 2023 11:53 - 31 minutes - 72.6 MB

Dan Buelow talks to Anthony Carolei about what a design firm can expect and should be prepared for when faced with a professional liability (PL) claim against their firm. Anthony, Director of Risk Management for Professional Liability for Hanover's A&E program, has considerable experience in handling complex PL claims and offers some excellent insight and advice on this process.

Episode 27: Insuring Single Projects Part II

September 12, 2023 20:58 - 39 minutes - 89.7 MB

Dan Buelow continues his discussion with Ryan Brennan, Specific Project Professional Indemnity Lead for HDI Global Insurance Company in part II of this two-part series of insuring single projects.  In this segment Dan and Ryan review the underwriting process that goes into assessing and pricing a PSPL on large complex projects and discuss the history of this coverage, the constriction of the current PSPL marketplace as well as the future outlook for this coverage.

Episode 26: Insuring Single Projects Part I

August 31, 2023 14:00 - 30 minutes - 69.6 MB

Dan Buelow gets into the weeds with a two-part series on insuring single projects with Ryan Brennan, Specific Project Professional Indemnity Lead for HDI Global Specialty SE. In part I, the discussion includes an overview of specific job excess (SJX) versus project specific insurance (PSPL). Dan and Ryan review the features and benefits of a PSPL from both the design professional’s and owner’s perspective and why this coverage is an important consideration for certain large project types.

Episode 25: Managing Design Risk in a Hybrid Work Environment

July 26, 2023 14:26 - 34 minutes - 79.9 MB

Dan Buelow talks to Clark Davis, Partner and Principal Consultant with Cameron MacAllister, respected advisors to architecture and engineering firms. Clark and his group were recently commissioned by WTW A&E to conduct an industry wide survey of design firms across the United States about the impacts of remote/hybrid work on design and technical quality in design practice. Dan and Clark review the results of this nationwide survey from the input of over 200 design firms. 

Episode 24: Why We No Longer Stamp Shop Drawings Part II

June 23, 2023 14:30 - 20 minutes - 48.2 MB

Dan Buelow continues his discussion with Dale Muhall, Director of Construction Phase Services for LEO A DALY. Part I of this two-part podcast series on shop drawings reviewed Dale’s AIA Best Practices article “Why We No Longer ‘Stamp’ Shop Drawings,” and the misconceptions, risks and errors surrounding basic construction administration procedures. In part II, Dan reviews a series of questions raised by design professionals on this same topic during a recent WTW A&E webinar with Dale.

Episode 23: Why We No Longer Stamp Shop Drawings Part I

May 25, 2023 20:26 - 39 minutes - 90.2 MB

Seemingly mundane documents such as shop drawings and requests for information have been around for as long as designers have been designing and builders have been building. But costly misconceptions, risks and errors surrounding these basic construction administration procedures still abound. Dan Buelow talks to Dale Munhall, AIA, National Director of Construction Phase Services at LEO A DALY to discuss his Best Practices article “Why We No Longer ‘Stamp’ Shop Drawings."

Episode 22: Cyber risk alert: Fraudulent funds transfer

April 26, 2023 17:40 - 32 minutes - 74.8 MB

WTW A&E has seen a recent rise in claims from design professional firms related to fraudulent fund transfers and rogue employees. Dan Buelow talks to two experts concerning this disturbing trend to get some advice on what firms need to do to mitigate this significant and pervasive risk. What is the standard of care of a design firm and what can firms do to mitigate this risk? Tara Albin, Midwest Region Cyber Leader and Liz Caldwell, Cyber Claims Leader from the WTW Cyber Group help us answer...

Episode 21: Limits of Liability

March 20, 2023 14:27 - 33 minutes - 76.1 MB

Dan Buelow talks to Colleen Palmer, Risk Manager for Beazley DP, on the topic of negotiating limitation of liability (LOL) clauses in design professional agreements. Some firms have had considerable success in getting LOL clauses in their agreements. Dan and Colleen discuss the benefits of this clause and the arguments and rationale as to why LOL clauses are both important and reasonable to have in every professional agreement. We review some sample wording and tips on negotiating this impor...

Episode 20: Managing Design Contingencies

February 22, 2023 18:09 - 33 minutes - 77.6 MB

Dan talks to Sue Yoakum, from Yoakum Law LLC, about the importance of establishing design contingencies. A design contingency helps establish expectations that architects and engineers’ drawings and specifications will not be perfect. Whenever there is a claim against a design professional on a project, there is often the question if there has been a breach of the design professional’s standard of care. When do you cross from non-negligent errors and omissions (not a breach of standard of ca...

Episode 19: Captives: Some questions answered

February 01, 2023 16:19 - 28 minutes - 66.2 MB

Dan talks to Charlie Woodman, Senior Director of Risk Finance & Analytics for WTW Construction, about Captives as an alternative risk transfer solution for design professionals.

Episode 18: Emerging Claim Trends in the Design Profession

January 06, 2023 15:08 - 50 minutes - 116 MB

Dan talks to Mark Blankenship, Director of Risk Management for WTW A&E, about the results of a recent WTW A&E industry survey of Senior Claim Managers from 12 leading A&E professional liability insurance carriers on emerging risk and claim trends in the design profession. Dan and Mark discuss the causes for the rise in severity claims against design firms, the inherent risks associated with specific project types and disciplines - and the emerging risks that are most concerning to the panel ...

Episode 17: Evolving Technology and the Standard of Care

November 21, 2022 15:58 - 33 minutes - 77.4 MB

Dan talks to David Ericksen from the law firm Collins + Collins on the risks and the business challenges design firms face with evolving technology. This podcast reviews the risks associated evolving digital technology, new products and sustainability. There is no profession that has been impacted more than the design profession when it comes to technology and the incorporation of new technology into a consultant’s services and the design process. How does this impact the design firm’s stand...

Episode 16: Managing Risk With Effective Communication and Documentation - Part II

September 29, 2022 19:00 - 35 minutes - 81.9 MB

In part II of our podcast on Communication and Documentation, Dan continues his discussion with Frank Musica, Risk Management Consultant for Victor. Dan picks up where he left off on reviewing how important words are when it comes to all the forms of documentation and phases of a project the risks associated with evolving technology. This discussion focuses on the significant risks associated with emails and important advice on document retention. This podcast will offer practical measures t...

Episode 15: Managing Risk With Effective Communication and Documentation - Part I

August 08, 2022 23:10 - 35 minutes - 81.1 MB

Dan talks to Frank Musica, Risk Management Consultant for Victor, in a two part series on Communication and Documentation. In part one of this series the focus is on the standard of care and the importance of documentation and effective communications in order to manage professional liability risk. Dan and Frank talk about why most claims against A&E firms are rooted in poor communications and documentation practices. This discussion includes a review of the fundamental tension between risk ...

Episode 14: Making the go/no-go decision

July 14, 2022 20:10 - 30 minutes - 70.1 MB

Every firm must ultimately decide if a prospective project is a “go” or a “no-go” and if they should commit valuable time and resources. Dan talks to Andy Mendelson, FAIA, Chief Risk Management Officer for Berkley DP, about the critical “Go No-Go” considerations every design firm should include when assessing a new project opportunity including project team capabilities, financial impact, contracts and client selection.

Episode 13: Design-Build: A Path Forward

June 16, 2022 20:16 - 28 minutes - 65.9 MB

In part two of our discussion on Design-Build (DB), Dan and David Hatem, a Partner at Donovan Hatem LLP, discuss David’s recent white paper release on addressing the inherent and unsustainable risks associated with DB infrastructure projects. Dan and David focus on the critical issues identified in the paper and recommendations made, including improving procurement, contractual practices and underwriting approaches in assessing the risk.

Episode 13: Design-Build: A Path Forward

June 16, 2022 20:16

In part two of our discussion on Design-Build (DB), Dan and David Hatem, a Partner at Donovan Hatem LLP, discuss David’s recent white paper release on addressing the inherent and unsustainable risks associated with DB infrastructure projects. Dan and David focus on the critical issues identified in the paper and recommendations made, including improving procurement, contractual practices and underwriting approaches in assessing the risk.

Episode 12: Assessing Design-Build Risk from an Underwriters' Perspective

May 19, 2022 13:26 - 32 minutes - 74.7 MB

Design Build (DB) has become a real concern among professional liability insurance underwriters as we’ve seen an adverse development in claim trends – especially on infrastructure projects. In this episode, Dan and Val Onderka, VP of Underwriting for Ironshore’s Designers & Contractors Professional Liability, discuss some of the reasons behind these claim trends – including what an underwriter is looking for when assessing and selecting a given design build project. Val and Dan also discuss ...

Episode 12: Assessing Design-Build Risk from an Underwriters' Perspective

May 19, 2022 13:25

Design Build (DB) has become a real concern among professional liability insurance underwriters as we’ve seen an adverse development in claim trends – especially on infrastructure projects. In this episode, Dan and Val Onderka, VP of Underwriting for Ironshore’s Designers & Contractors Professional Liability, discuss some of the reasons behind these claim trends – including what an underwriter is looking for when assessing and selecting a given design build project. Val and Dan also discuss ...

Episode 11: Cyber Attack Response

May 04, 2022 15:11 - 33 minutes - 75.8 MB

Every design professional firm must be prepared to respond to a cyber-attack against their business. In this episode Dan and guests Alex Ricardo of Beazley and Carter Boardman from the Colorado based engineering firm Merrick discuss developing an Incident Response Plan and specific measures a firm's key stakeholders can, and should, take to mitigate costly interruptions to their business. 

Episode 10: CYA with CA (Construction Administration) Part II – The Role of The Design Professional

April 06, 2022 15:46 - 31 minutes - 72.1 MB

In this episode, Dan and guest Bob Stanton, VP of Claims for Willis A&E continue the conversation from our previous episode, CYA with CA Part I, where Dan and Jeff Coleman focused on the role of the consultant on the job site and the standard of care when providing CA services. This episode will focus on the review of critical issues to consider when it comes to CA services and contract formation, scope of services and documentation.

Episode 10: CYA with Construction Administration (CA) Part II – The Role of The Design Professional

April 06, 2022 15:46 - 31 minutes - 72.1 MB

In this episode, Dan and guest Bob Stanton, VP of Claims for Willis A&E continue the conversation from our previous episode, CYA with CA Part I, where Dan and Jeff Coleman focused on the role of the consultant on the job site and the standard of care when providing CA services. This episode will focus on the review of critical issues to consider when it comes to CA services and contract formation, scope of services and documentation.

Episode 9: CYA with Construction Administration (CA) Part I – The Role of The Consultant

March 16, 2022 13:43 - 31 minutes - 72.1 MB

Job site related claims, including delay and bodily injury claims against design professionals, is a significant risk for every design firm. Understanding the role of the design professional in Construction Administration (CA) is critical when it comes to effectively managing this risk. In this podcast Dan and guest Jeff Coleman discuss the pitfalls and opportunities design firms face when it comes to construction administration.

Episode 9: CYA with CA (Construction Administration) Part I - The Role of The Design Professional

March 16, 2022 13:43 - 31 minutes - 72.1 MB

Job site related claims, including delay and bodily injury claims against design professionals, is a significant risk for every design firm. Understanding the role of the design professional in Construction Administration (CA) is critical when it comes to effectively managing this risk. In this podcast Dan and guest Jeff Coleman discuss the pitfalls and opportunities design firms face when it comes to construction administration.

Episode 8: Assessing Professional Liability (PL) Risk: An Underwriter's Perspective

March 01, 2022 18:22 - 25 minutes - 58.9 MB

Architects and Engineers take on considerable risks which can vary significantly based on project types, disciplines, client types and delivery methods. In this episode, Dan sits down with Mark Blankenship, Senior Underwriter for Liberty International, to discuss the underwriting process and how insurance carriers assess, underwrite and price A&E professional liability risk. Dan and Mark lay out what you can do to “tell your story” to ensure you get the very best PL pricing and terms.

Episode 7: Getting the Most out of your Professional Liability (PL)

February 14, 2022 01:58 - 25 minutes - 59 MB

Professional liability (PL) is by far the greatest exposure – and P&C insurance spend for any design firm. In this episode, Dan has a discussion with Bob Stanton, VP of Claims for Willis A&E, on some important coverage features of an A&E PL policy that every A&E firm should be aware of in order to get the most out of this coverage – and what they bought and paid for.

Episode 7: Getting the Most out of your Professional Liability (PL)

February 14, 2022 01:58

Professional liability (PL) is by far the greatest exposure – and P&C insurance spend for any design firm. In this episode, Dan has a discussion with Bob Stanton, VP of Claims for Willis A&E, on some important coverage features of an A&E PL policy that every A&E firm should be aware of in order to get the most out of this coverage – and what they bought and paid for.

Episode 6: Scope Creep

January 28, 2022 12:51 - 26 minutes - 61.4 MB

Every design firm is faced with managing scope creep and the challenges of project management to control resources to meet a certain objective by a specific date within a finite budget. Dan Buelow and guest Andy Mendelson from Berkley DP engage in an interactive discussion on how to manage the change process to maintain your client relationships and your firm's profitability through the use of some invaluable risk management tips – and effective communication and documentation practices.

Episode 5: Managing Cyber Liability Risk

January 10, 2022 16:01 - 40 minutes - 91.9 MB

We are now in the “hacker era” for cyber liability and design firms are a favorite target. In this episode Dan and guest Alex Ricardo, an expert in cyber liability from Beazley’s Cyber & Executive Risk Focus Group discuss this evolving risk and what A&E firms must be prepared for to mitigate their risk against a cyber attack.

Episode 4:Negotiating Contracts: The Dreaded Indemnity Clause

October 29, 2021 14:55 - 26 minutes - 61.7 MB

In our final podcast on negotiating contracts, we take a deep dive in discussing the dreaded indemnity clause and review what every design firm needs to watch out for – and negotiate - in order to avoid taking on unreasonable and uninsurable risks.

Episode 3: Negotiating Contracts: Dealbreakers

October 29, 2021 14:25 - 22 minutes - 52.7 MB

In this third episode of our four part series on negotiating contracts, we discuss seven specific “Deal Breakers” which are Client-drafted clauses that are so burdensome and onerous the design firm must insist it be deleted from any agreement, or substantially modified, to avoid assuming significant and possibly uninsurable risk.

Episode 2: Negotiating Contracts: Deal Makers

October 29, 2021 14:11 - 23 minutes - 53.5 MB

In this second podcast of our four part series on negotiating contracts, we discuss seven specific “Deal Makers” which are certain contract clauses that are so important to the protection of your firm that you want them included in each agreement you sign. If your client won't agree to these vital provisions, you may want to seriously consider whether to accept or decline the project.

Episode 1: Negotiating Contracts: Critical Basics

October 29, 2021 13:24 - 25 minutes - 57.9 MB

In this first episode of our four-part series on negotiating contracts, we discuss the critical basics of negotiating professional agreements and tips on using contract formation as an important vehicle to establishing client expectations and mitigating a design firm’s risk against costly claims and client disputes.