Talk to me about A&E

WTW
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A WTW A&E podcast series focused on risk management for Architects and Engineers. Our host, Dan Buelow, Managing Director of WTW A&E, engages experts across the A&E spectrum on a wide range of critical topics and risk trends impacting design professionals across North America.

  1. CA as a Risk Management Tool – Cornerstone #4

    08/13/2025

    CA as a Risk Management Tool – Cornerstone #4

    In Episode 42 of "Talk to Me About A&E," Contract Administration as a Risk Management Tool – Cornerstone #4, Dan Buelow continues his discussion with Mark Blankenship wrapping up this series with the 4th cornerstone of managing A&E risk with a discussion on construction contract administration.  Dan and Mark review the core responsibilities of the design professional when providing CA services and discuss best practices design firms should consider in order to effectively manage their risk when on the job site ranging from important contract considerations, documentation practices and communications with project team members and staff.

    45 min
  2. Communication and documentation – Cornerstone #3

    06/27/2025

    Communication and documentation – Cornerstone #3

    In Episode 41 of "Talk to Me About A&E," Dan Buelow, Managing Director for WTW A&E is joined by Mark Blankenship, Director of Risk Management for WTW A&E, for this discussion of the third cornerstone: communication and documentation. They discuss the importance of establishing and managing client expectations through effective communication practices, offering a range of examples and tips that can mitigate risk of costly claims and client disputes.

    38 min
  3. Negotiating insurable contracts – Cornerstone #2

    05/14/2025

    Negotiating insurable contracts – Cornerstone #2

    In Episode 40 of "Talk to Me About A&E," Dan Buelow, Managing Director for WTW A&E is joined by Mark Blankenship, Director of Risk Management for WTW A&E, for a discussion on allocating risk by contract, which is the second cornerstone of managing design professional risk. The episode delves into the importance of contractual risk management and how it can help design professionals mitigate potential liabilities.

    40 min
  4. Risk identification and evaluation – Cornerstone #1

    04/03/2025

    Risk identification and evaluation – Cornerstone #1

    In this Talk to Me About A&E podcast, Dan is joined by Mark Blankenship, Director of Risk Management for WTW A&E for this discussion on risk identification and evaluation.  This is the first in a four-part series on the four cornerstones of managing design professional risk and addresses important "go no-go" considerations and risk mitigation strategies every design firm should consider specific to client selection factors, project selection factors, project team evaluation and contracts.

    42 min
  5. AI risks and guidelines for design professionals

    01/31/2025

    AI risks and guidelines for design professionals

    In this Talk To Me About A&E podcast, we review the recently released ACEC Guidelines on the use of AI by Design Professional Firms.  Dan Buelow is joined by Mark Blankenship, Director of Risk Management for WTW A&E and co-chair of the sub committee on AI for the ACEC Risk Management Committee.  Dan and Mark discuss the inherent risks of AI when it comes to the design profession and important guidelines firms can adopt in managing this evolving technology – specifically: Governance and Approval Process; Sources and Tools and Guidelines for Practice.

    26 min
  6. Standard of Care – Part II

    11/01/2024

    Standard of Care – Part II

    In Part II of this series on the standard of care, Dan continues his discussion with Colleen Palmer and Lou Gale by reviewing specific examples of where contract language can elevate the standard of care – and advice on how to negotiate this language out of a design professional's agreement to ensure a balanced – and insurable agreement.  We also discuss how the standard of care is evolving and what design firms should be prepared for to mitigate their risk.

    36 min
  7. Standard of care – Part I

    10/09/2024

    Standard of care – Part I

    In Episode 36 of "Talk to Me About A&E," Dan is joined by Colleen Palmer, Risk Manager for Beazley, and Lou Gale, GC for the architectural firm SCB, on the Standard of Care.  In Part I of this two-part series we begin the first question asked when a design professional is accused of negligence: What was the applicable standard of care - and was it met?   This discussion will include an overview of what every design professional should know when it comes to the standard of care, as well as how best to educate their clients and manage expectations through effective communication and documentation practices.

    32 min
  8. Managing residential and condo risk

    07/10/2024

    Managing residential and condo risk

    In episode #35 of Talk To Me About A&E Dan Buelow talks to attorney Jeff Coleman from the Minneapolis law firm Coleman & Ericksen, LLC  about the professional liability risks associated with residential projects.  Residential Projects are considered one of the riskiest project types for design professionals when it comes to professional liability claims.  Dan and Jeff review the specific reasons why residential projects are so risky – especially condominium projects – and what proactive measures firms can take to mitigate their exposures to costly claims and client disputes.

    40 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

A WTW A&E podcast series focused on risk management for Architects and Engineers. Our host, Dan Buelow, Managing Director of WTW A&E, engages experts across the A&E spectrum on a wide range of critical topics and risk trends impacting design professionals across North America.

Information

  • Creator
    WTW
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2024 WTW. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Talk to me about A&E