This webinar discusses the genesis of RFIs, their development in the industry and a frequent common use. The webinar discusses the impact of RFIs on construction projects, drawing upon data provided by a global construction software provider and other studies to assess how RFIs and the RFI process impact both small and large construction projects. The webinar addresses the abuse of the RFI process, examining how RFIs may be misused to increase profitability, a practice that has become somewhat institutionalized in the past few decades. Learn how the RFI process came about and its intended use in the construction industryBetter understand the impact of RFIs on construction projects based on data from approximately 1,400 projects including the average time and cost to review and respond to an RFIGain an understanding of how the RFI process has been and can be abusedBe exposed to legal decisions concerning how the number of RFIs on projects has been used to prove both delay and cumulative impact claims Understand what definitions should be included in construction projects to help lessen the impact of RFIsExamine a proposed RFI specification which may be included in contracts to mitigate the impact of RFIsUnderstand how electronic tracking and monitoring of RFIs will help further mitigate the adverse impact of RFIs on projects and,Finally, learn about the best management practices concerning the management of RFIsAreas Covered Purpose of ResearchGeneris of RFIs Impact of RFIs on ProjectsCost and Time ImpactsAbuse of the RFI Process RFIs In Action – A Case Study Legal Decisions Concerning RFIsOwners – Part of the ProblemIncorporate an RFI Clause RFI Review System Electronic Tracking SystemForward Thinking Index™ RFI Best Management PracticesMeans of Preventing RFIs Final NotesCourse Level - Intermediate to AdvancedWho Should AttendOwner and Contractor Project ManagersResident Engineers or ArchitectsAgency Construction ManagersConstruction Managers at RiskDesign ManagersLegal Counsel representing owners or contractorsWhy Should You AttendDiscover the time and cost impacts of RFIs on projectsLearn how the RFI process can be abused and used as the basis of claimsLearn how to mitigate the adverse impact of RFIs through contractual mechanismsUnderstand the value of an electronic RFI tracking and monitoring system Be exposed to the best management practices concerning RFIs and the RFI processTopic BackgroundThe webinar discusses a case study involving a laboratory building at a wastewater treatment facility to illustrate how the process can be abused and examines the legal arguments for cumulative impact due to a large number of RFIs. The webinar explains how owners inadvertently contribute to the abuse of RFIs by failing to adopt practices that may contractually safeguard against the potential negative impacts of the RFI process. The webinar sets forth a framework for reducing the impact of RFIs that consists of three principal recommendations: the incorporation of critical definitions and an RFI control specification; electronic RFI tracking and monitoring systems; and sets forth best management practices concerning RFIs that owners and contractors can adopt and implement for managing the RFI process.