CCDC 5A + 5B Construction Management "Keys to Success" (October 1, 2025)

October 1, 2025 9:00 AM - October 3, 2025 1:00 PM (MDT)

Description

VIRTUAL INSRTUCTOR LED CLASS
Three 1/2 day sessions 

Part 1 - October 1, 2025, 9:00am - 1:00 pm MST
Part 2 - October 2, 2025, 9:00am - 1:00 pm MST
Part 3 - October 3, 2025, 9:00am - 1:00 pm MST

Orientation will be held September 25, 2025, 2:00 - 2:30 PM MST

For the first time, we are bringing virtual instructor-led expertise to your office through the synergy of multi-disciplinary trainers’ knowledge that has only been delivered at conferences.  And it gets better!  In the past, conference presentations have been focused on a one-way exchange of know-how from the speakers to you.  This course moves beyond that one-way exchange to allow you to apply what you have learned.

CCDC 5A & 5B: Construction Management “Keys to Success” will help you:

• Gain an understanding of the Construction Management process
• Recognize when to use Construction Management as a Delivery Method
• Learn the roles of each partner for collaborative success
• Determine when and how to procure Construction Management services
• Identify tools and techniques to optimize Construction Management performance
• Grasp the nuances of the different forms of Construction Management contracts – CCDC 5A|5B (industry-standard contracts)
• Understand the duties assigned and compensation for Preconstruction, Construction and Post-Construction in the CCDC 5A | 5B
• Practice the key elements to focus on for project success:
  • Engage the design-assist process
  • Align budgets to estimates
  • Use design control to promote cost control
• Apply the learned knowledge to establish the Construction Manager’s compensation
• Discuss the pros and cons for conversion to consolidated pricing
• Acquire critical insights into the challenges with the Construction Management Delivery Method

A team of multi-disciplinary experts will provide you with exceptional feedback, great insight and actionable strategies.  We look forward to sharing this expertise with you.

Project success takes more than just understanding what is “written” in your contract; it’s about leveraging key requirements from start to finish!

Many projects run into cost overruns, schedule delays, quality and performance issues. Thus, Project Owners are looking for solutions!

Construction Management is a great solution if done well!  Construction Management is about building a collaborative team from the outset of the project.  The team is comprised of the Project Owner, Consultant and Contractor to address the key areas of functional requirements, time, cost, quality, and constructability.

Whether you are the Project Owner, Consultant, General Contractor or Subcontractor, you need to understand your Construction Management roles and responsibilities throughout all project phases: predesign, design, project delivery, and post-construction. You also need to be well versed in the Construction Management project drivers and concepts in order to fulfill your contractual responsibilities and achieve success.  A well-orchestrated Construction Management project drives success for all partners.

Prerequisite:

It is recommended that students have some experience in a construction/contract management role and/or have familiarity with contract language, format, and usage. Those with less experience are welcome to attend but may find it hard to absorb and appreciate the material without prior experience or context.

 Who Should Attend?

Understanding the keys to success for construction management is important for all industry partners!  This course is most applicable to mid-management personnel who will actively be working on Construction Management projects and administering the contract.

• General Contractors and Subcontractors:
  • Construction Company Owners/Managers
  • Project Managers
  • Commercial Managers
  • Estimators
  • Business Development Managers
• Project Owners – Public and Private
• Third-party Project Managers (for the Project Owner)
• Architects and Engineers
• Bonding and Insurance specialists

Workshop Format: 

• Live, Online, Instructor-led training, with a maximum class size of 30 students.
• This workshop is facilitated on the Zoom platform. Access information from the instructor will be provided to you in advance of the orientation and training.
• Orientation Session (30 minutes) September 25, 2025, 2:00 - 2:30 PM MST
• Three (3) sessions (4 hours each) over 3 days 
• Attendance and participation in all three work shop sessions are mandatory for workshop completion.
  
  *Please note that if a student misses a class session, we are unable to transfer a registration or provide a partial refund of the registration fee's. 

This course is worth 4 Gold Seal Credits

Instructors

Craig Shirra, BTech CM, GSC, PSQ, LEEDGA UBC Properties Trust | Director, Development

Craig is currently the Director of Development at UBC Properties Trust, where he acts as the owner’s project managers for all new capital projects at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus and Kelowna region.

Craig stated his construction career as a steel stud and drywall tradesman working on some of Vancouver’s most significant projects pre-Olympics like the Richmond oval, BC place renovation and Queen Elizabeth Theatre renovation. Craig then joined Task Construction Management, a boutique CM firm managing projects such as the Vernon Library and South Surrey Rec Center. In 2012 Craig joined Bird Construction where he was part of the team that delivered the new UBC Student Union Building, Kelowna RCMP and the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre @ UBC Vancouver.

Craig holds a degree in Construction Management and Diploma of Technology as a graduate of the Architectural Building Engineering Technologies program, both at BCIT.

Craig is a LEED Green Associate, A registered Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS) and has earned his Gold Seal in project management.

Craig is currently leading exciting projects such as the UBCO Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Innovation (ICI) Building, which is a 150,000 square foot research facility, as well as the new UBC Downtown Kelowna Campus.

Walter Strachan RSW, PQS (F), CSC (F) (retired)

Walter has extensive experience earned through over 40 years in the consulting engineering industry with CBCL Limited. During his career he has served as department manager, project manager, corporate quality manager (ISO 9001), corporate risk manager), principal, director, and Chair of the Board at a major Atlantic Canada based engineering and environmental services company.

Upon retirement from CBCL Limited, Walter opened Act 3 Advisory Services, to continue a life-long obsession with all things related to project delivery in the design and construction industry.

Walter’s design and construction interest center around standard practices, project delivery methods, cost planning and control, risk management, and dispute resolution. Those interests resulted in tenures as Chair, Canadian Design Build Institute (CDBI); President, Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS); Chair, Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC); and Board Member, Canadian Construction Association (CCA). He has also served on several significant Task Teams including MasterFormat; CSC/CSI Uniform Drawing Systems; and the Integrated Delivery (IPD) Task Team.

Walter is the 2021 recipient of the Nova Scotia Consulting Engineers (CENS) Distinguished Service Award

Elisa Brandts, Architect AIBC, Architect AAA, OAA, NSAA, FRAIC Stantec | Managing Senior Principal

Elisa is a Senior Principal and the Business Centre Managing Leader for our buildings group in British Columbia. Her role combines active senior team leadership and financial and studio management with managing significant projects, particularly of large-scale alternate delivery scope, IPD and those integrating Lean process.

Elisa’s accomplishments include Eric Hamber Secondary School Replacement Project, Vancouver; Camosun College Alex and Jo Campbell School of Health Sciences, Victoria; Canalta Centre, (2015)*, Medicine Hat, Alberta; Sault Ste. Marie Event Centre, (2006)*, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario; Youngstown Convocation Center, (2005)*, Youngstown, OH, USA; Rideau Carleton Raceway, (2000)*, Ottawa.

Brad Stevenson, CPA, CGA, B.Tech, PMP Unitech Construction Management Ltd. | Chief Operating Officer

Brad Stevenson is Unitech Construction Management’s Chief Operating Officer. He has been with Unitech for 15 years in a number of different roles including operations, finance, human resources, safety, business development and information technology. Brad has the overall responsibility for integrating all Unitech’s Construction Management’s divisions into one cohesive unit. He has been responsible for integrating Unitech’s systems, processes and procedures, with a focus on team collaboration, into how Unitech does business day to day. He monitors and assists all personnel to ensure everyone in the company is living our core values of being client goal driven, collaborative, concise, firm, fair and fun through our collaborative construction proven process.

Jim Clement, GSC Graham Construction | Operations Manager

A seasoned construction professional with over 40 years of experience — the vast majority of which has been spent in the Calgary marketplace — Jim has the ability to think outside the box and finds creative solutions to complex design issues. Jim recognizes and understands the importance of proper cost and schedule control, as well as the interaction required between the owners, consultants, and construction management personnel.

Jim has been the President of both the Calgary Construction Association and the General Contractors Association, has been awarded Person of the Year by the Calgary Construction Association for his industry contributions, and has presented on design collaboration and ensuring optimum value and services for project owners. Jim adds value to his projects through his effective management of project constructability, and an understanding of the full project delivery. As a natural leader, he provides clients with the optimum balance between cost, schedule, quality, performance and project lifecycle.

Jim has worked on a wide array of construction projects including: commercial office buildings, residential towers, retail developments, parks and civil work, industrial facilities, and a variety of other project styles and types.

Bob Hildenbrandt, P.Eng., LEED® AP, GSC (retired)

A dedicated construction professional with over 40 years of experience in the Alberta marketplace.  Bob has recently retired from Graham Construction where he was Vice-President, Prairies.  He developed and led a regional team of construction groups in Western Canada, focused on performance and client satisfaction.

Facilitator

Debbie Hicks, BSc Facilitator

With a comprehensive and varied education background, learning has been at the core of her career. As former President of the Southern Interior Construction Association in BC for 22 years, liaising with the buyers of construction services, architects, engineers and contractors in advocacy and education brings a solid base to her expertise. In addition, her experience as the owner representative for the construction of the new Clubhouse for the Kelowna Yacht Club has provided additional perspective. She has been fortunate to work with the Alberta Construction Association to facilitate industry dialogue on “Optimizing the Flow of Money” and “Non-Standard Contract Clauses and their Costs”. Through these experiences, with a lot of passion and enthusiasm, Debbie is able to bring both knowledge and insight into her work and presentations for the construction industry.

Time

Part 1 - October 1, 2025, 9:00am - 1:00 pm MST
Part 2 - October 2, 2025, 9:00am - 1:00 pm MST
Part 3 - October 3, 2025, 9:00am - 1:00 pm MST

Orientation will be held September 25, 2025, 2:00 - 2:30 PM