Dive summary:

• When you take on a challenging site, especially one involving redevelopment of a site that never had modern requirements such as water detention or wetlands reclamation, there is no way to put a high enough value on having creative, determined site and civil engineers on your team.
• In addition to having the right people, have the right data—never steer by anything other than a current survey and an up-to-date geotech report.
• No matter how well it seems that things are going, do not fall into the trap of thinking the contingency money in the budget will not have to be spent somehow.

From the article:

I’ve seen civil cause the quickest spiral toward trouble or, most of the time, provide the most impact for success on a difficult site. ...