Knowledge-Driven Claim Governance: A Checklist of Entitlements and Procedures in FIDIC and National Standard Contracts

Claims are a significant cause of delays and increased costs in international construction projects, yet contract provisions on claims remain inconsistent, narrative, and difficult to apply in practice. This study presents a concise, knowledge-driven checklist for effective claim management in major standard forms, including International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), the New Engineering Contract (NEC4), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and Singapore’s Public Sector Standard Conditions of Contract (PSSCOC). The research mapped 22 entitlement clauses and 12 procedural clauses, then prioritized items through expert interviews and surveys. The final checklist comprises 16 items selected through transparent criteria (mean scores ≥ 4.0 or above group averages) that address critical risk areas. Application to two complex projects demonstrates that a few key clauses, such as those governing variations and timing requirements for requests, supporting documents, and decisions, account for most claim-related risks. Experts indicate that practical periods for submitting claim requests and proofs, and making decisions, are approximately 31, 65, and 61 days, respectively. The proposed checklist converts fragmented contract requirements into an actionable and auditable tool. It enhances clarity, transparency, and fairness in both pre-award reviews and daily project administration, which supports better risk management and minimizes disputes in global construction projects.