Topic outline

  • Engineering Dispute Resolution

    Credits: 4 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    This course provides an understanding of engineering dispute resolution, and the specialized roles engineers take on as expert witnesses and forensic investigators. 

    Even the best-run engineering project generates disagreement, and not every disagreement can be prevented. When a dispute does form, the engineer's task shifts from avoiding conflict to resolving it without compounding the damage. This course examines how engineering disputes are resolved, from an informal conversation across a conference table to a deposition under oath, and how an engineer's conduct at each stage shapes the outcome, the cost, the relationships, and the engineer's own standing.

    Topics:

    By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

    • Understand the principal methods of resolving engineering disputes, negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation, in terms of cost, speed, control, confidentiality, and finality 
    • Explain how mediation and other alternative dispute resolution methods work, and identify when each is appropriate for an engineering conflict
    • Explain the structure of engineering arbitration, including arbitration clauses, arbitrator selection, and the presentation of technical evidence
    • Understand the demands litigation places on engineers, including discovery, deposition testimony, and the influence of hindsight bias
    • Distinguish between the role of an objective expert witness from that of an advocate
    • Evaluate the ethical obligations of forensic engineering practice, including objectivity, evidence preservation, and the balance between confidentiality and public safety
    • Assess the ethical challenges introduced by AI and emerging tools, and identify the practices that make an engineering organization resistant to disputes

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.

    Important – Payment is required prior to printing of your certificate of completion.

    We operate on a trust-based model. You are welcome to complete Steps 1 through 3 to fully review the course material at your leisure. 

    When you are ready to download and print your Certificate of Completion, we ask that payment has been completed for either the Unlimited Plan or individual PDH credit(s). Clicking the download button below serves as your digital confirmation that payment has been made.

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    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, environmental, geotechnical, industrial, and multidisciplinary engineers. 
    Publication Source: Cadistics Courseware

    Donald Parnell, PE

    • Topic 1