The Dispute Resolution Board Foundation (DRBF) created this manual to provide an authoritative explanation of the Dispute Board (DB) process and to serve as a reference guide for users of the process throughout the world. The guide addresses the fundamentals of successful DBs and their important role in both avoiding and resolving disputes among the contracting parties on large and complex projects. As the DB process has developed since the mid-1970s, different terms have arisen to suit particular variations. These variations share the same structure and fundamental purpose: to encourage dispute avoidance and to assist in timely and cost-effective resolution of disputes for the duration of a project. Given the widespread use of the DB process, additional terminology issues occur based on local language, industry terminology, contracting procedures and cultural differences. You may refer to this manual's Glossary for details. This guide updates the DRBF's previous manual and explains practices and procedures that have evolved in the application of DBs. Special attention is given to recommended best practices, as well as cautions about modifications to the process which may be acceptable only in certain circumstances, or which are not recommended. The DRBF published its first "Practice and Procedures Manual" in 2004 and updated it in 2007.
