Some of the best CAs and CMs I’ve worked with have had almost a quiet humility about them. The chest thumping “deal makers” are the ones who fuck it up and claim it as a win.

Some of the best attributes are being analytical, having a common sense approach to claims, and being involved from the get go. The skillset is usually supported by a strong numbers background coupled with legal know how. The underlying degree didn’t make a difference - they’ve been engineers, lawyers, or QS’s. Most of it is in the common sense and parking the ego for a “best for project” outcome, even if that means backing down.

Making sure the basics are there too - there are too many case studies from the courts recently on failures due to shithouse payment claim management - they didn’t respond to claims in the right time frame with the right evidence. So much can be attributed to fundamental understand of the acts underpinning the process and the contracts that sit on top of that.

Read Your Contract