Secrets from Selection Panels: Revealed

Seminar notes & commentary from Chapter President Cindy Allen, CPSM

11 April 2008


Many thanks to Debra Bryant, PE, NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic; Shailendra Patel, PE, VDOT’s Innovative Project Delivery Division; and Mark Swilley with York County’s Environmental Department, for giving us their time and the benefit of their perspective on how to submit short-list-worthy proposals or win at the interview phase.

The April 8th program in Williamsburg called “Secrets from Selection Panels” offered first-hand insights from three speakers experienced in the AE selection process for government agencies. Throughout the morning, interesting themes developed and quotable quotes erupted. For example, the panel confirmed: Most all AEC firms are using PowerPoint during interviews. Their suggestion: Go back to using boards or other “hard copy” audio visuals…and leave them all with the Client after the interview. Also, “smart boards” stand out as do movie-type media showing conceptual project “fly-overs” and the like. Ultimately, Patel says, firms that win in interviews are those who convey their intimate knowledge of the project at hand. As far as proposals go, all the panelists agreed they deplore typos, and prefer charts and graphics in lieu of narratives. The above are just a few of the things revealed at the seminar. Whether or not you missed this panel program, you can download copies of the handout materials from two of the speakers (PDF 500KB).