ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part provides case studies of several hypothetical projects followed by a short discussion of some principles for drawing up an omnibus claim document. The chosen project has to be delineated in a rather dehydrated form, with many of the realistic details shrivelled up or missing altogether. The case studies may be seen as imaginary constructs which embody the essence of elements from various actual projects, chosen for their problematic nature, as well as a number of quite fictitious elements. The attempt has been made to follow through to their inevitable conclusions the elements woven in like this, subject to them illustrating some useful point. The distinctive pattern followed in the present studies is therefore to describe progressive discussion and perhaps agreement, at least of the direct elements of cost or time, while leaving it unclear just how soon this agreement was reached.
