System, method and process for managing problems and risks associated with a construction project using project-specific software and project notice forms relative to the construction contract

• US 20050197856A1
• Filed: 03/01/2005
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peckar & Abramson PC
• Original Assignee: Peckar & Abramson PC
• Inventors: Drucker, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,860,880 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/313
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0635 Risk analysis of enterprise or organisation activities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/16 Real estate
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/18 Legal services
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/942 Legal/academic

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for providing instant access to notices for any notice-triggering event which may occur on a specific construction project. More specifically, the present invention is essentially a system and method for managing problems and risks associated with a wide range of construction projects using a project-specific software, system, method and process, usually accompanied by “hard copy” printouts of the relevant notices, forms and letters and the specific contract provisions that require a specific notice to be given by the construction company. In one embodiment, a customized CD-ROM package of notice documents that fully comply with a particular contract is prepared, which software package is then utilized to bring up appropriate notice document on a computer screen, which notice document is then completed by a user by inserting relevant information in open fields of the draft notice document.

Claims

1. A system for managing problems and risks associated with a particular construction project, comprising:

a memory medium including machine readable instructions stored in the memory medium which, when executed by a processor, enable a computer to utilize data representing at least one contract relating to a construction project and data representing a plurality of notice documents that correspond to a plurality of contract provisions, to display, for selection by a user, a customized menu of events that require a notice, and to further display a notice document from the plurality of notice documents in response to a selection by the user from the customized menu of events, each notice document including at least one open field to enable the user to enter relevant information pertaining to a notice-triggering event on the notice document.

2. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the machine readable instructions, when executed by the processor, enable the computer to display a hyperlink associated with an event that requires a notice to be selected, the hyperlink being selectable by the user to display a particular notice document from among the plurality of notice documents.

3. The system recited in claim 2, further comprising a hyperlink associated with a particular notice document to enable the user to select instructions with respect to the particular notice document.

4. The system recited in claim 3, further comprising a hyperlink associated with the particular notice document to enable the user to select a contract provision giving rise to the notice document.

5. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the memory medium is a CD-ROM.

6. The system recited in claim 5, wherein the machine readable instructions are stored on the CD-ROM, and when executed by the processor, enable the computer to display a graphical user interface.

7. The system recited in claim 1, further comprising data representing a plurality of relevant contract provisions and appropriate supporting information for each notice document.

8. The system recited in claim 1, further comprising data representing a customized table of contents.

9. The system recited in claim 8, wherein the table of contents is structured to allow a user to instantly access appropriate notice documents to be utilized.

10. The system recited in claim 8, wherein the table of contents is structured to allow a user to instantly access supporting information provided with each notice document.

11. A method for managing problems and risks associated with a particular construction project, comprising the steps of:

utilizing data representing at least one contract relating to a construction project and data representing a plurality of notice documents that correspond to a plurality of contract provisions, to display on a computer display, for selection by a user, a customized menu of events that require a notice, and

displaying a notice document from the plurality of notice documents in response to a selection by the user from the customized menu of events, each notice document including at least one open field to enable the user to enter relevant information pertaining to a notice-triggering event on the notice document.

12. The method recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of displaying a hyperlink associated with an event that requires a notice to be selected, the hyperlink being selectable by the user to display a particular notice document from among the plurality of notice documents.

13. The method recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of displaying a hyperlink associated with a particular notice document to enable the user to select instructions with respect to the particular notice document.

14. The method recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of displaying a hyperlink associated with the particular notice document to enable the user to select a contract provision giving rise to the notice document.

15. The method recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of displaying a graphical user interface.

16. The method recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of displaying a plurality of relevant contract provisions and appropriate supporting information for each notice document.

17. The method recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of displaying a customized table of contents.

18. The method recited in claim 17, wherein the table of contents is structured to allow a user to instantly access appropriate notice documents to be utilized.

19. The method recited in claim 17, wherein the table of contents is structured to allow a user to instantly access supporting information provided with each notice document.