Civil Engineering

What is a U-value?

To put it simply, U-Value is the measure of the rate of heat loss through a material. Thus in all aspects of home

design one should strive for the lowest U-Values possible because the lower the U-value – the less heat that is needlessly escaping. So for example single glazed windows have a typical U-value of 5.6 while double glazed windows have a typical U-value of 2.8. …

Project Management

The 80/20 Rule of Time Management

 This technique teaches you to focus on what’s really important in your life and your life’s work.Pamela J. Vaccaro, MA

This may come as a surprise, but despite all the talk about life balance, you can benefit tremendously from introducing a little imbalance into your day. I’m referring to the 80/20 rule of time management, which is rooted in what is known as the Pareto Principle.

Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist, “discovered” this principle in 1897 when he observed that 80 percent of the land in England (and every country he subsequently studied) was owned by 20 percent of the population. Pareto’s theory of predictable imbalance has since been applied to almost every aspect of modern life. Given a chance, it can make a difference in yours.

PMP Hints

Engage the Client Early in Issues Management

Issues management tends to go more smoothly when the entire project team is comfortable working through the issues management process from the very start. If issues arise early in a project, be sure to follow your issues management process and get the client engaged in the solution. Issues become more urgent as you get closer to your end-date.http://cmguide.org/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gifDon’t let these be the first issues the client gets involved with. Earlier issues management experience will cause the client to see issues as just temporary hurdles that need to be overcome. If you haven’t engaged the client earlier in the issues management process, the client may cause more harm than good when you absolutely need them at the end, since they are not familiar with the issues management process.http://cmguide.org/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif

Civil Engineering

Different types of glass

Glass should not be thought of as just a functional material to let light into an area; it can also be used to add decorative effect. But it is important to choose the right kind of glass for the right place so the final job is effective, attractive and safe. The wrong type of glass used in the wrong position can be unsatisfactory and present a serious hazard to personnel safety.

Contract Administration

To accelerate or not? That is the contractor’s question

by Michelle Nelson-Construction Week

The issue of whether delay to a project can be reduced or even eliminated altogether by taking accelerative measures and if so, who should bear the cost, is becoming more common here in Dubai. In this article, I will consider the question of acceleration and liability for acceleration costs from a contractual and legal perspective. …

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