But another factor is that the complete capabilities of some of the new tools available have yet to be fully explored, mastered and used on construction projects and in procurement. There is a balance in this evolution that leans toward greater productivity. Some of the innovations will help cut down on wasted time and effort and maybe even attorneys' fees. This system allows the kind of last-minute adjustments that are common in the industry, and it may reduce errors that either give a contractor a job it doesn't want at particular price or cause a firm to lose a project to a sharper pencil. The flexibility gained may even help a contractor avoid the kind of time, personnel and technological glitches that allegedly came together to produce the dispute experienced by contractor M. A. Mortenson and estimating software maker Timberline With growing attention to security and legal issues, the industry soon will be far more comfortable with electronic bidding and other transactions.
Time is on the side of the industry as it also sorts out some of the issues.
It is better to develop policies, practices and procedures before the race is on to the courthouse door.