DBIA - Design-Build Institute of America Executing Design-Build Projects Questions and Answers

Question 1

Immediately following contract award for a design-build project, what is the primary purpose of the project kick-off meeting?

Accepted Answer

To align the entire integrated team on project goals, communication protocols, and team culture.

Answer

To finalize the selection of major subcontractors and suppliers.

Answer

To mobilize construction equipment and personnel to the site.

Answer

To obtain the final notice to proceed from the owner.

Question 2

An owner provides comments on the 60% design documents that significantly alter the building's footprint, impacting previously reviewed structural and civil plans. According to DBIA principles, how should the integrated design-build team ideally respond?

Accepted Answer

The entire integrated team meets to collaboratively assess the cost, schedule, and performance impacts before proceeding.

Answer

The designer formally issues a change order request to the owner for the redesign costs.

Answer

The design-builder immediately rejects the comments as they are too late in the design process.

Answer

The architect proceeds with the owner's changes and instructs the other disciplines to adapt.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes a key difference in how a Request for Information (RFI) is typically handled during construction in design-build versus design-bid-build?

Accepted Answer

In design-build, many potential RFIs are resolved internally through direct communication within the integrated team.

Answer

In design-build, RFIs are primarily used to document owner-directed scope changes.

Answer

The contractual response time for RFIs is significantly longer in design-build projects.

Answer

Design-build projects eliminate the need for any formal RFI process.

Question 4

In a design-build project, who holds the ultimate single-point responsibility for the quality and adequacy of both the design documents and the completed construction?

Accepted Answer

The Design-Build entity.

Answer

The Owner's quality assurance representative.

Answer

The professional-of-record who stamps the drawings.

Answer

A third-party quality management consultant hired by the owner.

Question 5

Which statement best describes a primary advantage of the commissioning process within an integrated design-build project?

Accepted Answer

Commissioning activities and planning can be integrated early in the design phase for better performance verification.

Answer

Commissioning is deferred until after the warranty period begins to test long-term performance.

Answer

The owner is not required to participate in the commissioning process as the design-builder is solely responsible.

Answer

The commissioning agent's fee is eliminated because the design-builder performs all testing.

Question 6

During project execution, the lead structural engineer and the builder's superintendent have a significant disagreement on the constructability of a key connection detail, delaying critical path work. What is the most appropriate first step for the design-builder's project manager?

Accepted Answer

Facilitate a collaborative meeting between the engineer and superintendent to find a mutually acceptable solution.

Answer

Issue a formal directive to the superintendent to follow the engineer's design exactly as drawn.

Answer

Immediately elevate the dispute to the owner for a final decision.

Answer

Request that the architect of record provide a third-party opinion to break the tie.