When to Engage a Project Neutral®

While Early Neutral Evaluation can provide value for disputes at any stage of a project lifecycle, certain situations particularly benefit from this approach:

Emerging Disputes

Early intervention is most effective when issues are beginning to impact the project but before positions have hardened and significant costs have accumulated.

Warning signs include:

• Multiple unanswered submittals, requests for information, or proposed change orders

• Schedule slippage affecting critical path activities

• Communication breakdown between key stakeholders

• Increasing documentation of potential claims

• Questions regarding design intent or specifications

• Non-Conformance Reports (NCR) on project performance

Project Complexity Factors

Projects with these characteristics are right for retaining a Project Neutral® throughout the project duration:

• Multiple prime contractors sharing site access

• Complex technical systems requiring integration

• Public-private partnerships with multiple stakeholders

• Design-build or progressive design-build delivery

• Significant public visibility or regulatory oversight

• Compressed schedules with substantial liquidated damages

Major Risk Events

Certain events can fundamentally alter project dynamics, creating an urgent need for the intervention of a qualified neutral party to resolve the dispute:

• Discovery of Differing Site Conditions (DSC)

• Allegations of significant design errors or omissions

• Extreme weather or force majeure events

• Supply chain disruptions affecting critical components

• Safety incidents or regulatory interventions

• Payment disputes affecting project financing

In these circumstances, the Project Neutral® provides a structured framework for resolving issues systematically while maintaining everyone’s focus on project completion.