Differing Site Conditions Module for the Claims Guidance System: Initial Development of an Expert System

The Claims System is an expert system that 1 provides Corps of Engineers field engineers with pre-legal assistance in reviewing potential construction contract claims and 2 serves as a training tool for inexperienced engineers, familiarizing them with the legal reasoning process. Differing site condition claims were selected as the first type of claim to be represented by a module in the Claims Guidance System. To use the Claims Guidance System, the project engineer provides relevant information regarding a particular differing site condition claim that he wishes to evaluate. The system analyzes this information and provides recommendations based on legal precedence. By using this system the new project engineer will develop a sense of what information should be documented and reviewed before consulting a lawyer. The Claims Guidance System will help Corps of Engineers project engineers document necessary information and make appropriate decisions so that lengthy claims and litigations can be can be avoided, saving time and money. The system is being developed on microcomputers using Personal Consultant Plus, an expert system shall be developed by Texas Instruments, Inc. The first module is ready for initial field testing. Site selection is underway.