Communication - An Operative Task in Trenchless Project Execution

This paper evaluates the fundamental nature of communication as it relates to both the contractual and human aspects for development and execution of design-bid-build trenchless projects. The challenges that arise at different stages of these projects are in part related to the project team structure, leadership, personalities and the level of trust developed amongst the team members. The contract documents are examined as a means of communication and as a risk management tool in order to determine why some projects appear to encounter more challenges than others during construction. The clarity in the development of these documents can either enrich or burden the working relationship between the owner, the engineer, and the contractor at the execution stage of the project.