This case history presents, from a geotechnical engineer\u27s viewpoint, various technical, budgetary, coordination, staffing and hidden agenda issues that contributed to poor performance of a shored deep excavation 10 soft soils. The anticipated and actual construction procedures are discussed and compared. In addition, approaches to stabilize significant movements of the shoring, and the methodology needed to justify a satisfactory future performance of a pile foundation system that was speculated to be damaged are discussed. By highlighting these issues, it is hoped geotechnical engineers will anticipate and better deal with the issues under their influence, understand issues over which they may not have control, and appreciate the need for mutual understanding and cooperation by members of the design team