Top 10
GBA provides hundreds of highly effective resources developed to satisfy the unique needs of geoprofessionals, giving members essential tools for achieving success. However, we also know that it can be overwhelming to sort through them all. So to help, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 GBA resources by numbers ordered over the last six months. This is a great place to start your exploration of GBA’s resources, or to get acquainted with a publication loved by your peers and “new to you”.
The list below is the top 10 GBA resources, in order by popularity, with the most ordered resource at the top. Topics cover a wide range of geoprofessional business issues, so there is certain to be something on this list that could help your business succeed. Select a title to learn more and order it today.
Top 10 GBA Resources
CRANE PAD AND WORKING PLATFORM DESIGN AND INSPECTION
This document serves as a guide for GBA member firms involved in projects with crane pads and other working platforms for heavy drilling, hoisting, and pumping equipment. It summarizes recommended practices related to these critical components of construction projects to reduce risk to member firms.
PROPOSED BEST PRACTICES FOR ENGINEER OF RECORD (EOR) FOR TAILINGS DAMS
In January 2017, GBA hosted over 50 industry leaders, including subject matter experts, regulators, owners, and practitioners for a Tailings EoR Workshop in Denver, Colorado. This event was made possible thanks to the generous contribution of several GBA member firms and in collaboration with the United States Society on Dams (USSD), the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO), the Canadian Dam Association (CDA), and others, the event was designed to identify concerns of filling the role of the EoR for tailings dams and develop guidance for those working on such projects in the United States and abroad.
This document was prepared by the Tailings Engineer of Record (EoR) Task Force to the Geotechnical Business Council (GBC) of the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA). Chaired by Kimberly Finke Morrison, P.E., R.G. and co-chaired by Robert Snow, P.E.
This Proposed Best Practices guideline provides recommendations from an informed body of geotechnical engineering practitioners for defining the roles and responsibilities of an EoR for a tailings dam or CCR dam to enhance safety, environmental suitability, and social sustainability.
SOME GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR GEOTECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Because underground and foundation construction have a high incidence of claims, having the geotechnical engineer of record prepare or review the geotechnical parts of a project’s specifications can significantly reduce the risk for all the parties involved. This document provides general guidance and serves as a starting point for geoprofessionals to use in developing geotechnical-related specifications, or for those who have been retained to review specifications prepared by others.
NAVIGATING NEW HORIZONS: BEYOND gINT NEW ERA IN GEOTECHNICAL DATA MANAGEMENT
GBA’s Business Technology has prepared a Business Brief to help geoprofessionals navigate the new market of vendors and products that has emerged in the wake of news that support and updates for geotechnical software product gINT will cease in 2026. This Business Brief may serve as a starting point on your journey and is for information only.
BEST PRACTICES: CONVERTING INTERNS TO FULL -TIME HIRES
In today’s competitive job market, attracting and retaining top talent is more challenging than ever. Geoprofessional firms invest significant time and resources into recruitment, onboarding, training, and mentoring—yet may still struggle to secure long-term employees. The key to building a strong workforce? A well-structured internship program.
To help firms optimize their approach, GBA has released a new Best Practices guide: Converting Interns to Full-Time Hires. This resource provides practical, field-tested strategies for creating or improving internship programs that lead to long-term hires.
Internship programs are a proven pipeline for full-time talent. But without a clear strategy, firms risk losing promising interns. This Best Practices guide outlines:
• Six essential steps to increase intern-to-hire success
• Key strategies for program development and implementation
• Insights from industry leaders on what works—and what doesn’t
By following these best practices, geoprofessional firms can improve their ability to convert interns into valuable full-time employees, strengthening their workforce for years to come.
GBA BEST PRACTICES: TABOO WORDS
This Best Practices document examines language use and focuses on six “taboo words”: certify, inspect, monitor, supervise, safety, and represent. The six are not necessarily dangerous in and of themselves. How they are used and their context are important. Nonetheless, the consequences of using any one of them improperly can be so severe, many risk managers believe the words should be used only on a carefully considered, by-exception basis.
GBA GUIDE TO THE IN-HOUSE REVIEW OF GEOPROFESSIONAL REPORTS
The publication provides step-by-step instructions – as well as overarching concepts – for report writers and reviewers. Organized into three principal content areas to help reviewers consider major issues and to give report writers a clear framework for preparing reports and considering reviewers’ comments, the guide addresses a report’s ability to satisfy the contractual obligations it was intended to fulfill; the quality of its technical and risk-management content; and the clarity of presentation. Supplemental materials include a report-control log, copies of GBA’s widely used report-insert sheets (geotechnical, environmental, and construction-materials engineering and testing), and three best-practices monographs covering “taboo” words, absolutes, and “slipshod synonyms.”
In the ever-evolving landscape of the geoprofessional industry, artificial intelligence (AI) continues to drive innovation, efficiency, and curiosity. GBA’s Business Technology Committee produced a six-part series to educate GBA members on the implications of AI on the geoprofessions. The articles, written by Enrique Farfan, Ph.D., P.E. ENV SP (HDR), explore how this technology works and its potential uses.
CRYSTAL BALL WORKSHOP 2025: ADDRESSING THE SHRINKING WORKFORCE, DEMAND FOR SERVICES
This Business Brief summarizes insights from the 2025 Crystal Ball Workshop, where geoprofessional leaders explored how AI and automation can address workforce shortages and rising demand for services. The brief highlights actionable strategies, industry barriers, and transformative opportunities, emphasizing proactive leadership and collaboration to help firms thrive in an AI-augmented future.
BEST PRACTICES: AVOIDING ABSOLUTES
Absolutes are words that connote an extreme condition, e.g., absolutely no exceptions. They are most commonly thought of as modifiers – adjectives and adverbs – but also occur as nouns, pronouns, and verbs. In common or colloquial parlance, they usually are harmless. However, when they are used by professionals within an instrument of professional service, correspondence, or other written communication (electronic or otherwise), or when they are spoken by professionals while acting in a professional capacity, absolutes are almost always inappropriate.
TOP GBA CASE HISTORIES
GBA CASE HISTORY NO. 1
BEWARE! A FRIEND’S SMALL PROJECT CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR FIRM’S HEALTH
The Member Firm performed a preliminary geotech study to estimate foundation-construction costs for a small housing development. The project stalled and years later the developer sold the land with the geotech report to another developer. The new owner retained a different firm for a geotech study for the new project. When the new geotech firm identified problematic soils necessitating a deep foundation system, the new owner filed a $650,000 claim against the Member Firm alleging negligent misrepresentation. Adamant that the suit was unjustified, the Member Firm’s CEO finally acquiesced and accepted a $70,000 settlement offer from the new owner rather than risk the uncertainty of a jury trial.
GBA CASE HISTORY NO. 110
SUSPICIOUSLY VARIABLE TEST RESULTS? TAKE A CLOSER LOOK…THE SOONER THE BETTER
The public-school district (the “District”) retained the Member Firm to perform geotechnical-engineering studies for several buildings at two sites. The Member Firm’s geotechnical reports both contained identical recommendations for “select” fill to be used in constructing the building pads for the schools.
The District retained different design teams for the two schools and the Project Specifications for the two schools, not surprisingly, differed significantly. Neither were completely consistent with the recommendations that the Member Firm provided in their geotechnical-engineering report.
A field representative testing compaction of the building pad fill identified inconsistencies and discovered onsite mixing of native soil with import material, a clear violation of the geotechnical recommendations. The earthwork sub-contractor was forced to remove and replace the structural fill for nearly all of completed pads which triggered a legal dispute. The Member Firm avoided losses emphasizing the importance of field representatives that knew project specifications, observed daily field activities closely, and communicated with project management to identify construction defects and potential risks.
GBA CASE HISTORY NO. 5
IF THE BUS DRIVER DOESN’T HAVE A LICENSE, GET OFF THE BUS
The architect for the church retained the Member Firm to perform a limited-scope geotech study for a federally-funded retirement home. Only boring logs and a brief letter report to the structural engineer were needed for the design of a pile foundation. Unfortunately, the design was not within the budget and the structural engineer refused to change the design and withdrew from the project. The replacement structural engineer redesigned the foundations and satisfactory load tests were performed but the federal agency balked until a geotech study was provided for the revision. A new geotech was retained but after the agency reviewed their report, the agency directed that a mat foundation be used. The church filed suit against the original Member Firm for the new costs.
It Can Be a Costly Dam, Shame if Clients Won’t Take Your Advice
Despite identifying nearly every risk in advance, a GBA Member Firm found itself entangled in a multi-million-dollar dispute after its recommendations were ignored in favor of shortcuts and siloed decision-making. This case is a powerful reminder that even the most professional performance can’t shield you from litigation when communication breaks down and documentation is lacking.
GBA CASE HISTORY NO. 2
CLIENTS WHO DON’T FOLLOW ADVICE SHOULD BE SOMEONE ELSE’S CLIENT
The Member Firm performed a geotech study for a repeat client, a custom-home builder, to identify potential groundwater problems for construction of a two-story home near the flank of a ridge. It was a hand-shake deal. Despite recommendations for drainage provisions and construction monitoring, the client went silent. Two months after completion, the basement began experiencing cracking, buckling, and water seepage. While admitting he ignored important recommendations, the client representative wanted the Member Firm to contribute money to help pay for repairs. In exchange for a full release, the Member Firm contributed a token amount for the repairs and quickly walked away.
Because underground and foundation construction have a high incidence of claims, having the geotechnical engineer of record prepare or review the geotechnical parts of a project’s specifications can significantly reduce the risk for all the parties involved. This document provides general guidance and serves as a starting point for geoprofessionals to use in developing geotechnical-related specifications, or for those who have been retained to review specifications prepared by others.
Case History No. 41
Don’t Worry. We Don’t Plan to Be There
A $3,500 assignment ballooned into nearly $1 million in costs after casual assumptions, missing documentation, and lack of professional liability insurance collided with post-construction settlement. This case is a powerful reminder that even the smallest projects demand rigorous contracts, clear communication, and respect for risk—because courts don’t care how small the fee was.
Case History No. 4
Compromise Must Be Part of Your Business Strategy
An innovative casing-removal technique promised big savings—but led to soil-contaminated shafts, costly remediation, and finger-pointing among project stakeholders. This case illustrates the hidden risks of high-stakes shortcuts and why visual observation alone isn’t enough when the margin for error is razor-thin.
CASE HISTORY 107
Engage Human Resource Professionals Early On
An employee who suffers from anxiety and panic disorder performs poorly and misses several days of work. Despite receiving compassion and getting several counseling sessions from the supervisor, the firm terminates her employment. In return, she sues them with alleged violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Case History No. 13
Litigation for Collections…a Lose-Lose Scenario
A missed opportunity to clarify scope, communicate directly, and respond professionally led to a costly dispute, a lost client, and millions in potential future revenue gone. This case reminds geoprofessionals that technical excellence alone isn’t enough—client relationships, documentation, and diplomacy are just as critical to long-term success.
Case History No. 22
Documentation Can Prevent
A hillside condo project spiraled into legal threats and slope failure after critical geotechnical recommendations were ignored and communication broke down. This case underscores the importance of proactive follow-up, complete service proposals, and clear documentation—because even when you’re blameless, you’re not always off the hook.