The work we earn via continuing contracts gives DRMP staff an opportunity to build trust with our clients and allows these relationships to grow stronger with time. DRMP is proud to have held over 100 continuing contracts with over 50 different clients, some for over 40 years. These projects, some of which our staff may work on for years, allow us to truly serve as an extension of our clients’ staff and become trusted advisors as we move from task to task. These task work orders also allow DRMP’s newest generation of engineers to gain valuable work experience.

I started with DRMP in 1994 and won my first continuing contract in 2006: a General Engineering Services contract with my home county in Pinellas County, Fla. Today, we hold three separate continuing contracts with the County in transportation, stormwater and structures. One of the many benefits of building strong relationships through continuing contract relationships is working on my skill set as a project manager. Many of the facets I consider to be strong project management skills come from the experience I have gained working on continuing contract work. But what does it take to be a successful project manager in the A/E/C industry?

In my experience, the success I have had as a project manager primarily relates to effective communication, responsiveness and understanding my client’s needs. Communicating effectively with the client shows them that I am invested in meeting their project goals. Responsiveness is also a key quality for a successful project manager. Simply letting a client know that I received their correspondence and that I am working to find a solution that will go a long way to alleviating stress. Finally, I have found that showing the client that I understand their needs by doing what I can to bring clarity when issues arise is another great way to find success as a project manager. For example, I was recently asked to remove the existing guardrail and extend the culverts on a project. However, doing so would require additional right-of-way, permitting, utility relocation and an overall increase in construction cost. By effectively communicating these issues to the client, I was able to build trust while we worked together to make a more informed decision about the project. Clients always appreciate when we go the extra mile and this helps when we go after future contracts with the same clients.

Ultimately, as civil engineers working to improve the quality of life of our neighbors and communities, we are thrilled to see projects designed and constructed in a timely manner as we continue to build lasting client relationships.