ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book is about successful contract management for owners of facilities projects. Successful contract management involves both effective contract drafting and effective contract administration. The book covers both topics: how to draft, and how to administer design agreements and construction contracts in order to achieve the owner's objectives while protecting the owner's interests. It assists owners to eliminate any disadvantage they may have in managing contractual relationships with their designers and contractors. The goal is to position owners to manage these relationships successfully. The book also addresses relationships with consultants. These are consultants that the owner elects to contract with directly (as opposed to consultants that are subconsultants to the lead designer). It offers sample provisions and examples of a complete design agreement, consultant agreement, and construction contract to assist owners to develop their standard documents.
