Suki Murphy
Senior Practice Leader, Construction Advisory
SERVICES GROUP
LOCATION
Get to know the expert
Expert QuestionS & AnswerS
Construction advisory work often means getting involved after problems have already developed. What is the most valuable thing a building owner can do early in a project to reduce the risk of disputes later?
Engaging an advisory professional early in the process helps develop program requirements, project budgets, schedules, and consultant selection strategies to holistically align the project program with the desired outcome and support overall project success.
As someone who trains others in your discipline, what is the most common knowledge gap you see in how building owners or managers understand construction advisory?
Construction advisory is often viewed as a function limited to the execution phase of a project. However, construction advisory experts assess the entire project life cycle, from initial asset selection through turnover and future asset improvements. The planning phase often provides the greatest value to a client, as construction advisory experts can anticipate emerging needs and recommend solutions before those needs are fully defined.
What is one piece of advice you find yourself giving clients over and over again?
Investing adequate resources early in the process helps develop a thorough project plan. An advisor who has the capacity to develop the client’s program and collaborate on early design iterations can create a comprehensive project package that enables a more accurate assessment of program costs, allows value-based decisions to be incorporated early in the process, and delivers the greatest financial savings.
Background
Ms. Suki Murphy is a seasoned construction professional and development expert with over 25 years of experience in construction management, project planning and preconstruction cost methodologies, owner’s representation and design management, development risk assessment, and advisory services. Ms. Murphy studied Architecture Engineering and Technical Management at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts, receiving a B.S. in Architecture Engineering and a B.S. in Technology Management.
Ms. Murphy has spent the majority of her career working with large international construction management firms serving as development program director, preconstruction manager, and project executive managing teams for large, urban ground-up projects to interior renovation of occupied facilities. Ms. Murphy has extensive experience with numerous building sectors, including research and development for life science and healthcare clients, higher education academic and student housing, commercial office and multifamily, commercial mixed-use master planning, life science manufacturing, and historic restoration.
Ms. Murphy has expanded her focus from the daily management of development and construction projects to include national leadership with employee resource groups that focus on supporting women in the built environment, serving on the regional board of directors for the promotion of construction management professionals, and outreach to high school students about opportunities and careers in the built environment.
Education and Certifications
- Architectural Engineering, B.S.: Wentworth Institute of Technology
- Technical Management, B.S.: Wentworth Institute of Technology
- Construction Supervisor License: Massachusetts