Knowledge Hub Blogs
Get expert insights and practical guidance to manage projects better, navigate contracts, and upskill your team.
Configuration Risk in NEC Management: Lessons from United Utilities v Northstone
Contract management software should reduce risk, not create new arguments about what the contract requires. A recent Technology and Construction Court decision, United Utilities Water Ltd v Northstone (NI) Ltd t/a Farrans Construction [2026] EWHC 1057 (TCC), is a...
Contract management software should reduce risk, not create new arguments about what the contract requires. A recent Technology and Construction Court decision, United Utilities Water Ltd v Northstone (NI) Ltd t/a Farrans Construction [2026] EWHC 1057 (TCC), is a useful reminder of a practical problem many NEC users will recognise: what happens when the contract is...
Mastering Public Works Contracts: A Smarter Way to Build Capability Across Your Team In today’s construction landscape, understanding contract frameworks isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Ireland, where Public Works Contracts (PWCs) form the mandatory foundation for delivering publicly funded infrastructure projects. Yet, for many professionals, navigating...
Who is this for? This guide is for professionals working on NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contracts for the first time, or those looking to strengthen their understanding of the early warning process in practice. It is particularly relevant to: Project managers and contract administrators Contractors and commercial managers Clients and client-side teams Subcontractors and supply...
Genna Rourke joined Built Intelligence as Industry Engagement Director in January 2026. With nearly twenty years’ experience across quantity surveying and commercial leadership, Genna brings first-hand industry perspective to our work across FastDraft, Academy and wider thought leadership. In this new series, she will share practical views on the challenges construction teams face in contract...
The early days of an NEC contract set the tone for everything that follows. Yet, on many projects, the first 90 days are where discipline slips, processes drift, and risk quietly builds. Teams attend training. They understand the contract. They start with good intentions. But as delivery pressures increase, the gap between what people know...
When it comes to NEC contracts, the first few weeks of a project set the tone for the entire delivery. Many disputes, delays, and unnecessary costs originate not from technical complexity but from overlooked processes, unclear roles, and poor documentation right at the start. NEC4 is designed for proactive management. If you treat it like...
The JCT Standard Building Contract (SBC) remains one of the most widely used forms of contract in UK construction. Yet many of the disputes, delays and payment issues that arise on projects can be traced back to a simple problem: misunderstanding how the contract actually works in practice. To address this, we have launched the JCT...
This March brings a series of webinars designed to support construction professionals across contracts, compliance, commercial management, and leadership. From deep dives into JCT Design & Build, NEC3 and NEC4, and FIDIC, to practical sessions on programmes, compensation events, defined cost, and capital allowances. The programme also looks beyond contract mechanics, with sessions addressing the...
For many organisations, “digitally enabled contract management” sounds like a lofty ambition. It suggests integration programmes, automation roadmaps and enterprise transformation. Something large, expensive, and potentially disruptive. Contract Wedge Level 2 is much more practical than that. Level 2 isn't about automation or digitisation for its own sake, but about putting enough structure in place...
If you are new to using an NEC contract, the structure and terminology can feel unfamiliar. NEC4 is designed to be practical and management-led, but it only delivers value when teams understand how it is meant to operate day to day. This article explains NEC contracts in plain English and provides a first orientation for new users. It...
If you speak to almost any experienced commercial leader in construction, you will hear a version of the same truth: Contract management feels harder than it should. The contracts themselves may be complex. The projects certainly are. But the day‑to‑day mechanics of administering notices, managing change, tracking programme and reporting cost ought to feel controlled...
FastDraft’s 2025 Impact Survey shows that 93% of asset owners would recommend the platform to peers. Here’s how owners are gaining stronger governance, full oversight, and audit-ready records - all while saving time. Gaining full oversight and governance across contracts For asset owners, getting control of contract management right from the start of their projects...
FastDraft’s 2025 Impact Survey shows 96% of contractors would recommend the platform to peers to improve their construction contract management. Here’s why contractors are finding it easier to save time, stay ahead of deadlines, and keep audit-ready records. Saving hours each week on contract admin Contractors know the grind: scrolling through inboxes for critical notices,...
The 2025 FastDraft Annual Impact Survey finds that a massive 92% of users save time on contract admin each week. Here’s where those savings come from, and how to replicate them. The admin drag that slows projects If you’ve ever raised a contract notice, tracked deadlines across multiple projects, or tried to keep a complete...
Construction contracts are the backbone of every successful project. But with increasing pressure to deliver on time, stay compliant, and manage complex risks, more AEC companies are turning to dedicated software solutions to manage their contracts. Still, one big question often stands in the way of making the leap: is construction contract...
Managing construction contracts effectively is a cornerstone of successful project delivery. Whether working with NEC, JCT, or FIDIC contracts, having the right contract management software can streamline administration, improve compliance, and reduce the risk of disputes. The truth is that if you’re already using a contract management system, you’re ahead of the game. But there’s still a lot of value left to extract from your CMS...
This month we’re spotlighting Amelia Parsons, our talented Implementation Consultant. From custom FastDraft solutions to Power BI magic, she’s all about turning ideas into reality. Want to know what fuels her (besides coffee) and her unexpected take on contracts? Check out our latest Team Tales feature. Can you describe yourself in 10 words? Good with...
Managing construction contracts effectively is crucial for keeping projects on track, minimising risks, and ensuring smooth collaboration between stakeholders. But contract management is rarely simple. With multiple parties involved, constant changes to scope, and strict compliance requirements, it is one of the most complex and commonly overlooked parts of the project management process. When it...
This month we are excited to introduce Batuhan Balaban (or Batu for short) Senior Full Stack Developer and motorcycle enthusiast based in London. From building scalable solutions to exploring the latest tech trends, Batuhan brings passion and creativity to everything he does. Curious about his biggest achievements, what drives him, and the advice he has...
Purchasing software can be hard. No matter what industry you’re looking at, it can be difficult for outsiders to really understand the difference between products which, on the surface, may seem like for like. For those working with construction contracts such as NEC3, NEC4, JCT or FIDIC, the stakes are even higher. You need a...
The construction industry stands at a crossroads. While sectors like manufacturing and finance have rapidly adopted digital tools, construction has historically been slower to embrace change. The latest RICS Digitalisation in Construction Report 2024 offers key insights into the sector’s evolving relationship with technology, and the message is clear: digital transformation is no longer a...
Over the past decade, AI has been revolutionising industries across the board - but construction has been slow to adapt. While other sectors are reaping the benefits of automation and advanced data analysis, the construction industry currently lags behind in adopting AI, despite huge potential to transform processes. A recent scoping review from the Norwegian...
It’s a well-known fact for those in the industry that the construction sector continues to rely heavily on adjudication as a primary means of resolving disputes. The 2024 Construction Adjudication Report from King’s College London investigates construction adjudication, highlighting key trends, challenges, and opportunities within the UK’s adjudication landscape. In this blog, we summarise the...
Automation is reshaping the construction industry, addressing its most persistent challenges: rising costs, labour shortages, and increasing complexity. It’s a potentially game-changing advantage for an industry under pressure; but like any organisation change, it requires a structural approach. Our latest whitepaper, the Contract Management Automation Playbook: Winning Strategies for 2025, offers an in-depth guide to...
In this article, we look at five key topics relevant to the Inclusive Environments competency. This is a level 1 mandatory competency on all pathways, so it is essential reading for RICS APC candidates. What is an inclusive environment? In their Essential Principles guide, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) define an inclusive environment as ‘one...
What causes structural movement? Buildings move all the time! Usually so slight or slowly though that the movement is not noticeable. The physical sign of structural movement is usually cracking to a building, externally and/or internally. Movement can be caused by one or more reasons. These can be split into causes relating to the structure...
At the beginning of your APC journey, you may be left confused by the myriad of routes and pathways that are available to you. How do you know which to choose and how do you know that it is the right option for you? In this blog, we demystify the various APC routes which are...