Twelve case histories from major civil engineering construction projects show how the Observational Method improves communication and collaboration, thereby cutting costs and time, increases safety, and enhances collaboration between design and construction teams.

Alan Powderham is a former Director of Transportation of Mott MacDonald and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Institution of Structural Engineers. Over the past four decades he has taken a leading role in the development and application of the Observational Method and pioneered many award-winning innovations in the design and construction of major infrastructure projects including the Channel Tunnel and the Boston Central Artery. He has served on many technical committees and, as a Visiting Professor at Imperial College, has supported research in foundation engineering.

Anthony O'Brien is Mott MacDonald's Global Practice Leader for Geotechnics and has over thirty years of international experience for transportation, water and energy projects. He has led geotechnical design teams through major projects in the UK, North America, central and south-east Asia. As a Visiting Professor at Southampton University he has led applied research in earthworks behaviour, soil dynamics and soil-structure interaction. He actively contributes to the work of professional committees and provides industry guidance, notably in the fields of advanced numerical modelling, retaining walls, foundation engineering and earthworks asset management.

1. The art of achieving agreement 2. Channel Tunnel cut and cover works 3. Mansion House 4. Limehouse Link 5. Heathrow Express Cofferdam 6. Heathrow Airport Multi-storey Carpark 1A 7. Boston Central Artery Tunnel Jacking 8. Irlam Railway Embankment 9. Heathrow Airport Airside Road Tunnel 10. Raising the 133m High Triumphal Arch at the New Wembley Stadium 11. Crossrail Blomfield Box 12. Crossrail Moorgate Shaft 13. Reflections on the advantages and limitations of the Observational Method 14. Some observations on the way forward