Global risk mitigation and dispute resolution firm, HKA released the Eighth Annual CRUX Insight Report titled ‘From Insight to Foresight’ in late 2025.
The latest edition of the report features insights from over 2,200 projects from 114 countries valued at US $2.43tn. Some of the key findings in the latest version of the report include:
- Disputed costs averaged around a third of contract budgets
- Claimed extensions of time would add two thirds to works schedules
- Time-based analysis shows a big shift in claim and dispute patterns
- Most causes have reduced in frequency, with regional variations
- Despite the pandemic, disputed schedule and budget overruns were lower post-2020
- COVID-19 caused conflict on almost a quarter of projects
- Cashflow and payment issues rank higher in tougher economic times
The full report and a powerful interactive dashboard can be accessed freely at www.hka.com/crux-insight. The report and interactive dashboard are amongst the most powerful resources this Editor has seen in his career covering construction, in terms of sharing deep insights into the main causes of claims and disputes on engineering and construction projects.
Since the report was first launched several years ago, it has garnered a significant following with over several thousand downloads reported to date.
Discussing the vision behind the development and launch of CRUX, Toby Hunt, Partner, Business Development Lead International at HKA comments, “CRUX was created to give the industry something it had never had before, an evidence-based, global view of the root causes of claims and disputes on construction and engineering projects– grounded in project data, rather than practitioner survey insight alone.”
“Our experts were already analysing distressed major projects worldwide, and the volume of data meant we held insights that could genuinely help clients avoid disputes, strengthen project governance and improve outcomes. Formalising this into an integrated research programme in 2017 – aligned with rigorous research principles – allowed us to share those lessons more widely and help raise industry standards.”
He explains that CRUX is underpinned by a formal methodology, an empirical dataset, cross‑literature taxonomy development and advanced analytical techniques. “It applies ataxonomy of 1,750 causes of dispute, distilled into 39 categories through comparison with academic and industry literature,” he adds.
Asked for insights into how the initial idea was received within the firm, and whether there was any resistance to undertaking such an intensive research project, Hunt says: “We expend a significant amount of internal time in collecting data and making sure we aggregate and analyse it. So we had to show how the insight would help HKA, including how it would support clients, strengthen our capability and reinforce our value proposition.”
Hunt says there was an element of “winning hearts and minds”. “What you have to show is that this exercise isn’t just about research, but rather creating a detailed annual report that can drive incremental benefits across the business. We also showed how it could benefit HKA consultants as an internal service. So while a lot of what we were doing was sharing the knowledge with external clients, it was just as much supporting our internal colleagues by showing them what we were producing, inviting questions and sharing insights they could use in client conversations.”
Here, Hunt also points out that the CRUX reports are more than just knowledge sharing. “It goes beyond that, because it can sometimes provide insight into areas you might not have traditionally seen. If you’ve worked on 10 projects in different sectors, what you don’t often see is the detailed differences in causation between these projects, or between those sectors.”
“By doing the analysis, collecting data and investigating in the way that we have, it brings a pretty stark contrast. In some sectors, the causation is very different, or more nuanced, than in others. Many people write about delay and causes, but much of it isn’t research-based,” he says.
Asked what the now well-known name of the report means and where it came from, Hunt says it was inspired by rock climbing. “In the English language, a crux is described as a vital, basic, decisive, or pivotal point. In climbing crux is the hardest and most physically demanding part of a route or boulder problem. It demands your attention and you have to work out what your moves are going to be before you attempt it. That’s where we got it from,” he notes.
Discussing whether the concept behind the CRUX report has remained the same since its inception, or whether it has evolved, Hunt responds: “The core purpose – identifying and analysing the underlying root causes of claims and disputes – has remained constant.”
He adds: “What has evolved each year is the depth, methodology and thematic focus. The dataset has now grown to more than 2,200 projects, and recent editions have introduced new analytical layers, including time‑based analysis, AI impacts, econometric modelling, contract type comparisons, ‘speed to build’, stakeholder behaviours, skills‑related challenges and the growing environmental risks facing projects. As the scale and richness of the data increases, CRUX, one of the most academically rigorous and empirically grounded dispute‑causation research programmes in the construction industry, has also become more forward looking, moving from insight to foresight.”
Toby Hunt, Partner, Business Development Lead International at HKA
Producing CRUX
Developing the CRUX report is an intensive process that demands significant time and resources from individuals across HKA’s global network of offices.
Sharing insights into how the report is produced, Josephine Guckian, Partner, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer outlines: “CRUX is the result of a year‑round global effort. Our experts gather data from real investigations across regions and market sectors. The CRUX research team structures and analyses this dataset, consults with colleagues and external stakeholders on emerging themes, and develops the findings and narrative. We also interview subject‑matter experts, consultants and advisors, to gather additional insight, and the report goes through a final peer review by senior experts.”
“HKA invests significant time and expertise to maintain the rigour of the analysis, develop dashboards and deliver client-ready insights andbespoke presentations,” she emphasises.
She elaborates: “In terms of production, each report typically takes around 2- to 3-months, supported by continuous data collection throughout the year. The project surveys run continuously and we also hold a lot of brainstorming sessions, particularly around what we’re going to write about. We spend quite a bit of time making sure that the themes we focus on, informed by interviewswith our experts and consultants, are relevant to the industry and to our clients.”
Following the launch of a new report, Guckian says HKA then markets it and presents the data and insights to clients, some of whom also invite the firm to present it to other groups. “We do a lot of panel discussions around the report, and we find that people tend to reference it a lot, which is great to see.”
Hunt and Guckian have spearheaded the CRUX report from its inception to present day and are credited with steering it into becoming a globally recognised research and knowledge-sharing platform.
Elaborating on the team and the process behind the report Guckian says, “Toby and I spend a significant amount of time working on CRUX, and we also have a dedicated resource, Kate Hall, to project manage and oversee its development year round. That said, it’s really a global effort, with colleagues involved from across the world, from the Americas to Australia. We interviewdifferent consultants and experts and we try to rotate who we speak to each year, so that different people have the opportunity to participate. After 8-years, it’s become pretty popular internally.”
“Initially, it took a bit of convincing to get people to set aside time. But once they could see the value, they started making space for CRUX, and now people are very keen to be involved,” she highlights.
Discussing what she most enjoys about working on CRUX, Guckian says the report brings together every part of the business, from experts to consultants and advisors. “The team enjoys shaping the narrative, ensuring the insights are accessible and meaningful for clients, and seeing how HKA colleagues use the data in client presentations, seminars, and industry discussions. It is gratifying to see the impact CRUX has across the industry and to watch it being referenced by clients, law firms and industry bodies around the world,” she says.
She continues, “It has taken time to develop CRUX into a brand in its own right, but we’re now seeing real anticipation for each edition. People contact us to ask when the report will be released, and we’ve seen clients and lawyers referencing it and using it in their own businesses. That, to me, is evidence that what you’ve produced is a quality product – and it’s probably the one thing I’m most proud of.”
Hunt adds, “From my perspective it goes back to the beginning of this project. Some people in our business initially questioned why we’re investing so much time and effort. Today, that scepticism has disappeared – everyone can see the value of CRUX, and how it helps us engage with our clients by sharing knowledge.”
“It’s much easier to talk to a client when you’re offering to share some of your knowledge. We’ve had a number of clients say what we are doing is market leading and puts us ahead of anyone else in the industry because what we’re doing is not easy. It does take us a lot of time and effort to do each year. So that’s probably what I’m proud of,” he comments.
Committing to quality
Producing a globally relevant report such as CRUX is a significant commitment and, as with any such project, there are numerous challenges to overcome to ensure the finished product delivers value to stakeholders.
Asked about the most challenging aspect of producing CRUX each year, Guckian says it’s crucial to ensure that the team is focuses on the right emerging themes and provides insight that genuinely adds value for clients and the wider industry. Coordinating contributions across regions, managing interviews and reviews, and keeping the narrative clear while reflecting what the data is really showing all require careful planning to make sure the structure flows effectively, she explains.
Josephine Guckian, Partner, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, HKA
Ensuring absolute consistency in messaging, design and global launch timing is another significant part of the process, she notes.
She elaborates, “To get a read of what’s going on in the industry, we have an internal research department. We receive a lot of news alerts and subscribe to leading research providers so we have a strong sense of the landscape – but there’s always a debate. With so many experienced specialists across the business, we test and challenge ideas until we’re clear on what the report should focus on.”
“It’s a healthy discussion, and it means that we end up with some of the best topics of interest to the wider industry. This aspect can be a bit challenging at times, but it’s interesting. The great thing is, and I think a lot of people at HKA would agree, you actually learn a lot by listening in on those interviews, and reading about what our most senior experts and consultants have to say.”
Hunt adds, “We’re a global business that communicates with its clients every day, so we understand the challenges they’re facing and how those challenges evolve year-on-year. CRUX is shaped by what we see on live projects as it happens. A client might call and say ‘We are facing some project challenges, can you help us and try to avoid this turning into a dispute?’. So we’re not just a firm that’s dealing with disputes, we’re a firm that also helps with dispute avoidance.”
“The industry has challenges. We had COVID-19, and there’s a lot of geopolitics at the moment, which affects clients. So it’s interesting to see how CRUX causation is shaped by those ‘black swan’ events and trends over time. It’s a healthy challenge for us.”
Here, Guckian highlights, “CRUX goes through a thorough peer review. We have a panel once all the information comes back and an external writer that helps us compile it all. Once the interviews are done, it’s peer reviewed by the interviewees and when the whole report comes together, it actually goes to another panel to be peer reviewed again. Our reputation is so important, so we make sure it’s been thoroughly reviewed before it’s launched to the marketplace.”
Asked about how he judges the success of CRUX, Hunt replies: “CRUX continues to deliver value through bespoke studies and project-specific analyses. We develop in-house assessments that allow clients to benchmark their own performance against the CRUX dataset and pinpoint areas for improvement. The same analytical approach has also informed risk assessments on large energy programmes, helping project teams identify recurring drivers of claims and disputes and make more informed decisions at critical stages.”
He continues, “For one client, we carried out a detailed causation and performance analysis on their major infrastructure programme, using CRUX data and expert insight to benchmark issues, identify systemic drivers of delay and cost escalation, and strengthen the evidence base behind the project review. For one public sector client responsible for a major heritage building renewal program, we tailored and delivered a CRUX briefing to their senior team. This involved adapting our analysis to the unique characteristics of a complex historic estate and exploring relevant data to help them understand recurring drivers of claims, disputes and project risk.”
Since CRUX was first launched in 2017, the report has been downloaded more than 5,000 times, reflecting its growing following across the industry.
Positive impact & the future
Since its early days, the annual CRUX report has had a tangible impact on HKA’s business around the world. Guckian notes that the report continuously demonstrates HKA’s expertise.
“With more than 45 years of experience in construction claims and disputes, CRUX showcases the knowledge of our people, supported by the real project data our experts and consultants have worked on. This combination of expertise and evidence differentiates HKA in every region.”
She adds, “It provides an authoritative, independent evidence base that strengthens our credibility in the industry and positions HKA as a thought leader on dispute causation. Globally, CRUX has become a unifying brand asset that elevates our profile and reinforces our expertise across markets and geographies.”
Asked about how the report’s success is judged, Hunt says:, “We can see from client engagement, and the amount of downloads. I was at a conference not too long ago where a competitor was talking about a particular issue and they had CRUX slides on their screen. We probably don’t see a huge percentage of the times that the CRUX data is referred to at various congresses and conferences around the world.”
“Considering we’re in our eighth year with the report, I think we have a successful proof of concept,” Hunt confirms.
Here, Hunt reiterates that client feedback has also been overwhelmingly positive. “Clients tell us that CRUX validates what they experience on their own projects and helps benchmark performance. They value the clarity of the analysis, the identification of recurring issues, and the ability to use the data to improve governance, planning and risk management. Clients also tell us they find the CRUX dashboard extremely useful for exploring different industries and geographies, understanding the top causes of claims and disputes, and comparing contract types in a clear and accessible way.”
Pressed about whether the underlying causes of claims and disputes has changed since the first edition of the CRUX report was released to present day, Hunt notes that despite global disruptions, many of the core drivers of claim and disputes remain consistent.
He explains, “Scope change, design issues, late information and poor contract administration are still responsible for many claims and disputes. However, CRUX shows encouraging trends. In the past 5-years, several underlying causes have declined in frequency or impact, particularly on projects completing after 2020. At the same time, megaprojects continue to amplify risk, and new themes such as AI, supply chain stress and contract type effects have become more prominent.”
Asked for his recommendations on how clients can avoid some of the common issues that are highlighted in the CRUX reports, Hunt says: “Companies can actually use what we put in the CRUX report to try and help with their risk mitigation strategies. I think some don’t have a proactive way of managing risks, so I recommend that they actually use the data that we share in the report.”
“If they can understand the information and identify their risk profile, they can build strategies to assess and stay on top of risks. Risks are not static; they change every day. As soon as you do something, you should be thinking about how that potentially affects the time and money the company is going to expend on a project,” he comments.
Here Guckian adds, “I would encourage companies to engage with CRUX, particularly the dashboard, as a practical way to understand issues that commonly arise on projects and how risk can be better managed.
Looking ahead, Hunt and Guckian say the future of CRUX is about deeper insights, greater accessibility and continuing to give back to the wider industry.
“We will keep developing more detailed dashboards, improving regional and sector-specific editions, and exploring new analytic themes shaped by industry feedback. We will also continue focusing on the themes that matter most to the industry, ensuring the analysis remains relevant and meaningful. As the dataset grows, CRUX will strengthen its predictive dimension, helping clients anticipate risks earlier.”
They conclude, “Our goal is to ensure the insights remain easy for the industry to access, understand and apply. Ultimately, we want CRUX to remain the industry’s most trusted source of dispute causation intelligence and a resource that genuinely improves project outcomes worldwide.”
The post Getting to the CRUX of the matter appeared first on Middle East Construction News.
Source: ME Construction News
