Professional References in Contract and Claim Management
The Contract Academy stands for practice-oriented knowledge from real projects. Our content is not based on abstract theory, but on many years of experience in international project business, complex contractual structures, claim situations and demanding commercial negotiations.
The following experts are representative of the expertise on which our training programs, concepts and learning formats are based.
Ralf Budde
Expert in Contract and Claim Management | Author of Various Specialist Books
Ralf Budde is one of the experienced practitioners in the field of Contract and Claim Management. As a graduate engineer with a background in mechanical engineering and energy technology, he combines technical project understanding with commercial, contractual and strategic claim expertise.
His professional experience includes management responsibility in Contract Management, overall project management in power plant construction, as well as commissioning and site management. As a result, he knows claim situations not only from a consulting perspective, but also from operational project practice.
As the author of several specialist books — including Basic Knowledge in Contract Management, Project Controlling and Change Management, Contract and Claim Management and The PRO® Concept — he has shaped the methodological discussion on Claim Management, claim strategy and claims negotiations for many years.
A particular strength of his work is the combination of securing entitlements, preparing claims and developing negotiation strategies. In numerous national and international claims involving high amounts in dispute, as well as in more than a thousand smaller claim cases, he has developed and applied methods that support companies in enforcing and defending against commercial claims.
Key Areas
- Contract and Claim Management
- Claim strategy and claim preparation
- Claims negotiations based on the PRO® Concept
- Corporate analysis and development of efficient Contract and Claim processes
- Training, workshops and coaching
- Project business, power plant construction and international industrial projects
Tom Mückel
Senior Advisor Contract and Claim Management | Graduate Engineer in Mechanical Engineering
Tom Mückel has many years of management and practical experience in international project business. His profile combines technical understanding as a graduate engineer in mechanical engineering with extensive experience in Commercial Management, Contract Management, Claim Management and Change Order Management.
For many years, he held senior positions in contract administration, commercial order execution and international project negotiations. In this context, he worked on both the procurement and sales sides and was active in sectors such as plant engineering, power plant construction, railway infrastructure construction, solar technology, mechanical engineering and infrastructure projects.
His experience ranges from contract analyses and tender reviews to bid and contract negotiations, as well as the commercial support of complex large-scale projects. In addition, he brings leadership experience from international expert teams, interim management and project management.
As a certified project management professional of GPM/IPMA and a founding member of DGCCM e.V., he combines project management, contractual expertise and claim experience with a clear focus on practical implementation within companies.
Key Areas
- International Contract and Claim Management
- Commercial Management in large-scale projects
- Change Order Management and contract analyses
- Tender and bid reviews
- Negotiation management on the procurement and sales sides
- Plant engineering, mechanical engineering, infrastructure and power plant projects
- Project management and interim management
The Strength of the Contract Academy
The particular strength of the Contract Academy lies in the combination of methodological knowledge and real project experience. Our experts understand the challenges of complex projects: conflicting interests, difficult contractual situations, time and cost pressure, international project teams and negotiations under significant pressure to reach agreement.
This practical experience flows into our programs — from specialist training in Contract and Claim Management to the specialized negotiation methodology of the PRO:CLAIM® concept.