Shive-Hattery Strengthens Risk Management with Newforma’s Issue Tracking

For Shive-Hattery, a firm headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, maintaining consistency in project management through the use issue tracking is key. Mitch Kelchen, Project Support and Software Support Manager, understands the importance of having reliable systems in place. Supporting all project management software for the firm, he has seen firsthand how Newforma helps teams follow a standardized approach to project completion.

“Newforma lets us have a consistent standard in practice, helping project teams ensure that every aspect of a project is properly managed,” Kelchen explained.

One of the standout tools for Shive-Hattery is the Action Item Activity Center, which allows teams to use a structured checklist to close out projects. This ensures that all necessary files are stored and archived correctly, reducing the risk of missing important documentation in the future.

In the AEC industry, documentation can be the difference between a smooth project handover and costly legal disputes. At Shive-Hattery, Newforma plays a critical role in safeguarding against potential claims by ensuring all project files are properly archived.

“We use Newforma to make sure everything is adequately filed,” Kelchen said. “If there’s ever a legal discovery on a case or if a client needs information for a future project, we have everything stored and ready to access.”

This proactive approach to documentation has already paid off. The firm recently faced a situation where they were tracking a potential claim. By leveraging Newforma’s issue tracking capabilities, they were able to locate all the necessary files and resolve the issue before it escalated into a formal claim. “It saved us from potential litigation,” Kelchen shared, emphasizing the value of having a reliable project information management system in place.

Risk management isn’t just about reacting to problems—it’s about preventing them before they happen. With Newforma’s issue tracking and documentation tools, Shive-Hattery has built a more structured and efficient process for handling project-related risks.

“We recently had an instance where we were looking at a potential claim. We were expecting it to eventually turn into a claim, but we were able to go back into our Newforma files and find a resolution to that case without it having to actually turn into a claim. So it saved us potential litigation with having those files backed up,” Kelchen recounted.

By ensuring that all necessary records are archived and easily retrievable, the firm has significantly reduced the chances of missing information that could impact legal or financial outcomes. This not only provides peace of mind but also allows project teams to focus on delivering high-quality work without the burden of uncertainty.

For firms like Shive-Hattery, Newforma is more than just a software solution—it’s an essential part of their risk management strategy, helping them mitigate challenges and protect their projects from unnecessary complications.