Demonstrative Evidence in Construction Matters

ConvinceAll of Us

By: Gordon H. Aronson, P.E.PresidentVision Consultants, LLC

• Which of the following are Demonstrative Evidence?– Daily Reports– Accounting Reports– An Important Letter– A Schedule Report– A Productivity Report– A Set of Photographs

That was all physical Evidence – The Basic Facts – It was not created/designed to directly Support Opinion.

Demonstrative Evidence uses this physical evidence support opinions offered,

• Because I want to Successfully Get Change Orders

• Because I Will Need to Prove My Point at Some Time

• Because Impact Occur on My Jobs• Because I know the subject and Facts Best• Because there are No Today About the Future of My Project

Jurors retain 10% of what they hear…

Jurors retain 87% of what they see!!!

In other words… a picture (read: demonstration, simulation, model, table, diagram, etc.) is worth a thousand well‐crafted words.

Poor Strategy•Using anaysis aids as demonstrative evidence. • Trying to say too much at one time, bad storyboarding.

Getting Too Fancy•Clarity comes first. •Timing and sequence is wrong & doesn’t match verbal presentation.

Talking Over Heads•Using terms, sentences, phrases that are far beyong the deciders’ knowledge with no simplification. 

Insync with Testimony•Never have to explain even minor differences in witness Testimony. 

Simplistic & Succinct•You are back in grade school teaching foundations • Make the purpose crystal clear.

Truthful & Accurate•Don’t beat around the bush, say it as it was. • Double check all factual statements & values.

Demonstrative EvidenceYou are Teaching

The Deciders

POSITIVES NEGATIVES

Rules of evidence are the rules by which a court determines what evidence is admissible at trial and what evidence is not admissible at trial.  Federal courts follow the Federal Rules of Evidence, while state courts generally follow their own state rules. State rules of evidence are generally imposed by the state legislature upon the state courts. 

In establishing what evidence is admissible, many rules of evidenceconcentrate first on the relevancy of the offered evidence. Rules of evidence also allocate among the parties the burden of producing evidence and the burden of persuading the court. 

Demonstrative (lay)Demonstrative (lay)

•Tending to manifest or express one’s feelings easily or unreservedly•Serving as proof; indicative•Involving or characterized by demonstration (lecture)•Conclusion; indubitable (arguments)

DefinitionsLay and Legal

Demonstrative (legal)Demonstrative (legal)

•Intended to clarify the facts for the decider(s)•Can be real physical evidence or created illustrative items designed to make clear and retainable the facts to decider(s)•Probative value must be determined and acceptance must be granted

Used as an Adjective As Evidence

Trial attorneys view the presentation of demonstrative evidence to the decider(s) as analogous to presentation of information by a teacher to students.

Often the quality of such evidence can create a turning point in the legal proceeding.

As much as the presenter is a teacherhe/she is also on a stage and must presentthe best and most believable show.

Successful Demonstrative EvidenceDepends on the Target Circles below

Method & ColorsHumans Respond to & Retain colors 

Exact MatchTo Statements of Proof

Clarity of PresentationSimplisticSuccinct 

Carefully Selected Content

This is Critical

Wordiness/Data Overflow

Careful this is for human consumption and we work best on light, healthy meals

Confusing Charts & Graphs

Strange Terminology, Acronyms, Too Intricut, Little white space, Etc. 

Fonts, Shapes, ShadingSimilar to Rules of Ads

This is not abstract art or collage,  think childish simplicity.  

Spending Too Little Time to Do it Right

Involve the people who best know the subject/the facts.  Get opinions from others. 

Information Overload

Unimportant items, Too Many Points Made, Failure to Provide Lay Definitions, Etc. 

Storyboard

This is a history class.  History unfolds. This is your chance to build a solid framework.

Re‐focus/Summarize

Don’t be afraid to refocus your audience, prepare a chart that summarizes. 

Failure To Provide Correct Focus

You have lost their focus, they are not sure what you believe are salient points. 

Present or Represent the Salient Items LastLast in their brains will remain the longest.  They mentally dump what they don’t understand.

Major Mistakes MadeWhen Preparing Demonstrative Evidence

Another

Another

Schedule ExampleSES PresentationUseful Tips

Discussion/Questions