Communication skills and emotional intelligence are critical not only to successful design-build delivery projects but also to attraction and retention of new talent in the A/E/C industry. Increasingly, case studies indicate that communication is vital for handling risk, price and schedule on complex projects.

“The genesis of almost every dispute ever resulted from a lack of communication,” said Robynne Parkinson, a construction attorney, addressing attendees of the Design-Build Institute of America’s annual transportation conference. “I have seen projects tank due to one tiny miscommunication.” The conference, held in Cincinnati April 8-10, included airport design and construction along with its traditional highway and mass transit themes.