Mr. Neal Flesner Speaks at Caltrans District 7 Resident Engineers Meeting
On Friday, April 26th, Mr. Neal Flesner delivered the keynote address at the Caltrans District 7 Resident Engineer’s Meeting and Partnering Awards. Mr. Flesner spoke to the importance of collaboration, cooperation and common goals on major construction projects, providing the audience with a litany of real-world examples where large and small project teams had overcome major challenges to achieve extraordinary results on their projects.
Caltrans’ Partnering Program helps the department and its contractors to work more effectively towards achieving mutual goals that ultimately benefit the project, the state and its citizens. For example, a conflict between two teams can evolve when a lane closure schedule looks good on paper, but in reality, it’s not going to work for one reason or another. A dispute occurs. Or, a contractor needs more time using a crane because of an unforeseen issue. Opening a checkbook can’t solve every problem, so through effective communication and reasonable facilitation, the contractor and Caltrans must find a solution. This is partnering.