SCORE members strongly believe that construction projects that “go bad in the end” usually began poorly—or at the very least, without proper planning and forethought. In public utility construction, the single most important factor is the involvement of informed and committed owners. Too often, engineers are hired, funds are borrowed, and contracts are awarded without the owners fully understanding the people involved or the construction process itself. In these cases, owners may find themselves relying on chance—or on the “kindness of strangers”—to see the project through successfully. The goal of this paper is to encourage meaningful owner involvement and to provide guidance so that such involvement adds real value to the project.

Owners are encouraged to hire highly qualified professionals for all aspects of the project, provide them with clear direction, and remain engaged throughout the process. Listening to these experts and learning from them is critical. When questions or doubts arise, owners should not hesitate to seek a second opinion. Taking the necessary time up front to design a high-quality project ensures that it will address the utility’s actual needs in a way that fits the community’s financial and operational resources.

A key recommendation is to designate a dedicated construction or project manager—someone responsible for guiding the project from start to finish. This individual should have a solid understanding of the construction process, strong organizational and management skills, and the active support of the owners. The role may be filled by a contracted third-party project manager, a hybrid position such as a project coordinator, or even the engineer’s inspector if granted expanded responsibilities and authority. Regardless of the structure, owners are encouraged to promote a partnership-based approach rather than an adversarial one, as adversarial relationships are a common factor in failed projects.

It is also important not to rush into construction or attempt to complete more work than available funding can reasonably support. Utility construction, much like home construction, is often a stressful process with many challenges to overcome. However, the reward of success is even greater. Completing a treatment plant expansion or pipeline extension on schedule and within budget is a significant achievement, and nothing compares to the satisfaction of a successful project. SCORE hopes this material will help Tennessee utilities plan and execute projects in a way that leads to more consistent, successful outcomes.