M. Asem Abdul-Malak

Embedding critics in decision-making environments to reduce human errors

Managers, by human nature, are not optimal decision-makers. There are several errors that hinder the decision-making process, e.g. cognitive biases, accidents, cultural motivations and missing knowledge. These errors can lead to serious consequences. This paper discusses the four errors and their impact on the decision analysis process. In addition, the paper introduces expert critiquing systems. These collaborative systems can help managers or decision-makers reduce the above-mentioned errors in an automated environment. The critiquing theory is also discussed. Finally, a critiquing example details the application of expert critiquing systems in an automated environment. The example shows how a knowledge-based system was used to reduce judgmental human errors.

Managing the Period Preceding the Calling for a DAB's Decision

Construction project participants are becoming more aware of the costly and lengthy resolution of claims and disputes. This has led them to give more attention to the management of the resolution process. The International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) included in its contract conditions a claim-dispute resolution timeline involving several steps starting with the minute a claim arises until a party initiates arbitration, in order to help parties involved in a certain project better administer claims. However, the period following the Engineer’s determination and preceding the Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB)’s or Engineer’s decision remained unregulated. The Literature does not tackle this specific period and the reason behind keeping it unregulated. This paper explores, through an in-depth reading of the 1999 FIDIC’s conditions for contracts, this unregulated period by associating the claims during this period with various statuses. A framework is offered that shows how the status of a claim progresses during this period. The paper then sets follow-up steps for the statuses in the proposed framework. Finally, some concluding remarks and recommendations are proposed to manage this period.