"One of the greatest challenges is this increasing pace of construction in the U.S.," he said. "The compression of the project development schedule means we have to be talking earlier and more clearly to one another."

Related: Construction hazards: The risk of not innovating 

Creating a shared vision

To make this partnership possible, East told the audience there are three important steps to take on the part of the risk manager to create a shared vision with contractors before beginning any construction project.

The first is to establish clear expectations and objectives. Anticipate and define the key risks before beginning a project, and be engaged during pre-construction planning.

The second step is to establish structure; define the insurance risk management and safety programs before construction begins.

Lastly, communication is the most critical component in successfully creating a shared vision. "If you communicate clearly your demands and expectations in advance," East said, "then contractors are able to rationally incorporate that into their plans."

Elaborating on these points, East discussed obstacles (not risks) that risk managers may face when creating a risk management plan on a job site of any size and in any location.

First, East said it's important to recognize any local and regional differences that could affect your project and your relationships. The risk manager elaborated his point by citing personal experiences working on construction projects at Disneyland in Tokyo. It was there, he said, that he learned the importance of building relationships face to face, and how being inattentive to cultural differences could have damaging effects on work relationships.

Related: Getting to know international building codes and standards

Additionally, East said to know the regulatory requirements and economic constraints, and establish clear safety rules and procedures before beginning any construction project.

(Photo: Danielle Ling)

Align project interests

Elaborating more on the main mission of his presentation, East detailed six key principles of owner and contractor alignment.

First: establish trust and build relationships early in the project. "Be visible on the construction site. You only build relationships, I believe, face to face," said East.

Second: set expectations clearly from the start of the project.

Third: define safety requirements. Integrate the insurance safety programs.

Fourth: measure what counts: upstream and outcomes.

Fifth: stop demanding, and start asking for commitments. Seek and make more reliable promises.

Sixth: solve problems and create a resolution environment.

Related: How technology is revolutionizing construction risk mitigation

Conclusions 

East wrapped up his remarks with a review of the sessions key lessons. "Problems are solved person-to-person," he said. "Build stronger relationships between risk managers and contractors earlier on in the project." 

Adding to this point, East encouraged the audience to make more phone calls and prioritize face-to-face interaction over emails and text messages.

As he concluded the session and the end of the 2017 IRMI Construction Risk Conference, East ended with a story about his company's founder and namesake, Walt Disney.

Long before the original Imagineer created the world of Disney, East related, Walt Disney dedicated every Sunday to time spent with his daughters. In allotting this sacred time with his family each week, Disney had a vision that there ought to be a special place where parents can go with their children and create lifelong memories.

Building the Disney empire left an extraordinary imprint on the world, and East said each project contractors build has the potential to have a similar effect. 

"What we build tells a story about who we are," East explained, "and sends a message about the kind of world we want to create.

"I'd like to encourage all of you as you are building the future of our society, that you, in the same way, is telling a story," he added. "You are building cathedrals, not just laying bricks."

Related: Construction conversation: IRMI's Bill McIntyre