NZ Geotechnical Society (NZGS) 22nd Symposium 2025 Auckland
Geotechnical issues are a primary and persistent source of costly claims in the construction industry. While technical challenges often trigger these disputes, they are typically compounded by process failures such as poorly scoped investigations, reactive decision-making, and inadequate communication.
A proactive approach to risk management integrates several key elements. These can include maintaining detailed and clear communication records, having robust quality assurance processes, and importantly, holding and maintaining risk registers that clearly record key project risks along with the agreed risk management strategy with the client. Additionally, implementing industry-standard geotechnical risk assessment procedures, such as well scoped and executed site investigations, geotechnical hazard evaluation, and continuous monitoring, ensures that practitioners meet expected professional standards.
This paper presents a comprehensive framework for claim prevention, structured around three critical parts: establishing solid project fundamentals, maintaining rigorous technical standards, and implementing robust project controls. Through industry case studies and legal precedents, it demonstrates that adopting this proactive approach significantly reduces dispute likelihood, protects project outcomes, and safeguards professional wellbeing. The strategies outlined provide practitioners with actionable methods to transform geotechnical risk from a liability into a manageable project element.
