White Papers2024-03-11T13:22:42-07:00

White Papers

A Detailed Look at Some of the Most Important Topics from Across the Industry

Cumming Group is a thought leader in the construction industry, with some of the field’s most respected and sought-after experts practicing in a range of disciplines, from project and construction management to cost estimating, scheduling, energy consulting, and more. To make their valuable insights more widely available, we have asked a number of accomplished Cumming Group team members to write technical white papers relevant to their sector or service area, with topics including contemporary best practices, state-of-the-art tools, and effective solutions to common project challenges, among others. All white papers will be collected and organized on this page as they are published, with the full library available to everyone for free.

How New Infrastructure Funding is Impacting Aviation Project Development

February 10th, 2023|

February 10, 2023 By Karl Schulz Since most aviation projects are funded by either passenger plane tickets, airport tenants, or the airline companies themselves, the amount of money available for new projects can be impacted by a variety of factors. For examp [...]

Avoiding Surprises When Master Planning Mixed-Use Hospitality Projects

January 18th, 2022|

Effective master planning is critical to the success of mixed-use hospitality developments. This paper discusses the importance of establishing a strong project foundation based on team member expertise, robust communication, and clear expectations and accountability. It then covers specific master planning best practices, including knowing your brand and market, navigating the entitlement process, understanding how supply chain issues may impact your project, remaining flexible and adaptable, and more.

Construction Labor Market Outlook

November 30th, 2021|

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the 9.2 million unfilled jobs in the economy, nearly 300,000 belong to the construction sector. We expect this labor shortage to rise in the coming quarters, leading to further wage escalation through 2022. In this white paper, the Cumming Insights team draws from its ongoing economic research to examine current trends in the construction labor market and what we can expect going forward.

The Healthcare Sector Pre- and Post-COVID-19

October 7th, 2021|

In this paper, Daniel Pomfrett and Gary Brett look at how the healthcare construction market was trending prior to the emergence of COVID-19, how it’s been affected by the virus to date, and what its future might look like once the pandemic has subsided. This paper is an update to our previous paper on this topic, which was originally published in May 2020.

A Macroeconomic Analysis of Commodity Prices During the COVID-19 Pandemic

September 15th, 2021|

In this paper, Research Analyst Drew Lantz provides a macroeconomic framework for understanding the recent surge in commodity prices and outlines how they will most likely return to their pre-pandemic levels.

The Continuing Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Global Supply Chain

July 28th, 2021|

Restrictions on public life due to the COVID-19 pandemic have thrown global supply chains into chaos. In this white paper, Cumming Research Analyst Drew Lantz takes a look at the effects that the pandemic has had on air, land, and sea freight; explains why these disruptions have been so severe; and outlines when things can be expected to return to normal.

Performing As-Built Documentation Reviews and Field Audits to Prevent Downtime in Data Center Facilities

July 21st, 2021|

In this paper, Cumming Director Michelle Kelly explains the role of field audits and documentation reviews in the data center setting, how to perform these activities efficiently and effectively, and why they are such an important factor in delivering data center projects on time and within budget.

Sustainability in the Hospitality Sector

February 10th, 2021|

In this paper, Cumming’s expert sustainability professionals define what sustainability means in the context of the hospitality industry and discuss the different ways in which sustainability can be integrated to benefit hospitality operations and brands. While the value of sustainability for the hospitality sector is widely recognized, the industry may not be fully leveraging these benefits. This white paper discusses the key trends and best practices in the industry, providing recommendations for how brands and property owners can realize valuable benefits and more effectively leverage sustainability as an important differentiator to drive business recovery and growth.

The Role of a Program Management Office in Project Portfolio Success

November 16th, 2020|

In this paper, author Greg Williams, Vice President at Cumming, discusses the complexities inherent in a large capital program, and describes the value and benefits of utilizing a Program Management Office to manage and navigate those complexities. A wellrun PMO — one that is thoughtfully implemented, utilizes key best practices, and both connects and empowers individual team members — is adaptable, dependable, and can greatly enhance the likelihood of program success.

A Guide to Performing Facility Condition Assessments

November 10th, 2020|

In this paper, Cumming Sr. Project Manager Andrew Hauss draws on his deep facility condition assessment experience to explain the key factors that should be considered when carrying out an assessment, what a proper assessment consists of, and how an assessment can help owners meet their short- and long-term needs and goals.

Evaluating Exposure to Cost Overruns and Claims During Tumultuous Times

May 18th, 2020|

In this white paper, Sonny Jester, Managing Director at Cumming, discusses some of the key factors that owners should consider when their project is impacted by unforeseen events, including how to effectively mitigate disruptions and successfully reopen a project after work stoppage.

COVID-19 and the Global Construction Market

March 25th, 2020|

In this paper, authors Daniel Pomfrett and Brian Burton look at the history of COVID-19 and examine its effect on construction markets both globally and here within the United States. It is important to note that current conditions are changing quickly; this paper was based on information available as of March 25, 2020.

A Guide to Developing Effective Owner Project Requirements

February 5th, 2020|

In this paper, Andrew Hauss, a Sr. Project Manager at Cumming, discusses the importance of developing a robust Owner Project Requirements document at the outset of any project, and the key role this document plays throughout the construction process. He also defines the four main elements of a successful OPR document and provides a framework for ensuring their proper implementation.

Escalation and Its Impact on Construction

January 30th, 2020|

Understanding escalation can help project owners and other stakeholders navigate economic uncertainty and deliver projects with confidence. In this paper, Cumming Vice President and economic expert Dan Pomfrett defines escalation and the factors that contribute to it, describes recent escalation trends as well as expected patterns for 2020, and provides some general advice on how to apply this knowledge to a construction project.

Recent Tariffs and Their Impact on the Construction Industry

December 10th, 2019|

The trade war between the U.S. and China has resulted in a series of tariffs from both countries that have had widespread impact on the construction industry. In this paper, Cumming Vice President and economic expert Dan Pomfrett takes a closer look at the details of these tariffs, including the rationale behind their implementation, their effects to date, and what to expect going forward.

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