DBIA Code of Professional Conduct 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a design-build project, the Code of Professional Conduct holds the design-builder responsible for quality of work performed by subcontractors because:
- Subcontractors waive their own professional duties when hired
- The design-builder has integrated responsibility for the entire project (Correct answer)
- Only licensed subcontractors bear independent responsibility
- Owner approval of subcontractors transfers liability
Correct answer: The design-builder has integrated responsibility for the entire project
Under DBIA's integrated delivery model, the design-builder retains overall responsibility for quality, including work performed by subcontractors.
Question 2: When a DBIA member discovers a design error during construction that poses no immediate safety risk but will increase project costs, the Code requires the member to:
- Correct the error before informing the owner to avoid alarm
- Promptly inform the owner and present corrective options (Correct answer)
- Absorb the cost internally if it falls within contingency
- Defer disclosure until the project closeout phase
Correct answer: Promptly inform the owner and present corrective options
Prompt disclosure of errors that affect cost or scope is required under the DBIA Code's honesty and transparency obligations.
Question 3: A design-build team is under schedule pressure. To save time, a project manager suggests skipping a required peer review. Under the DBIA Code, the appropriate response is to:
- Skip the review only if the lead designer approves
- Maintain the peer review process regardless of schedule pressure (Correct answer)
- Document the skip decision and obtain owner waiver
- Reduce the review scope but complete it within available time
Correct answer: Maintain the peer review process regardless of schedule pressure
Schedule pressures do not justify bypassing quality and safety processes required by professional standards or project agreements.
Question 4: According to the DBIA Code of Professional Conduct, how should a member handle a situation where applicable laws conflict with the client's project objectives?
- Prioritize client objectives since the client bears project risk
- Comply with applicable laws even if this conflicts with client wishes (Correct answer)
- Seek a variance before advising the client of the conflict
- Document the conflict and proceed with the client's direction
Correct answer: Comply with applicable laws even if this conflicts with client wishes
DBIA members must comply with applicable laws and regulations even when doing so conflicts with a client's stated objectives.
Question 5: Under the DBIA Code, what obligation does a member have when using the DBIA name or logo in marketing materials?
- No restrictions apply as long as the member is in good standing
- Use must accurately represent the member's DBIA status and credentials (Correct answer)
- Prior written approval from DBIA is required for every use
- Use is restricted to project proposals, not general marketing
Correct answer: Use must accurately represent the member's DBIA status and credentials
DBIA members must accurately represent their credentials and membership status when using the DBIA name or logo in any materials.
Question 6: A DBIA member is asked to provide a reference for a former colleague whom the member knows engaged in unethical conduct. The Code of Professional Conduct implies the member should:
- Provide a neutral reference to avoid professional controversy
- Decline to provide a reference or disclose relevant concerns honestly (Correct answer)
- Provide a positive reference since past conduct is not relevant
- Report the colleague to DBIA before responding to the reference request
Correct answer: Decline to provide a reference or disclose relevant concerns honestly
Honesty provisions of the DBIA Code extend to professional references; members should not provide misleading endorsements of individuals with known ethical violations.
Question 7: Which of the following scenarios would most clearly violate the DBIA Code of Professional Conduct's fairness provisions?
- Submitting a competitive proposal that includes value engineering ideas
- Using proprietary information learned from a prior client to gain competitive advantage (Correct answer)
- Highlighting past project successes in a qualifications package
- Proposing an alternative technical approach not specified in the RFP
Correct answer: Using proprietary information learned from a prior client to gain competitive advantage
Using confidential information from one client to benefit on a competing project is a direct violation of the DBIA Code's fairness and confidentiality obligations.
DBIA Code of Professional Conduct 4
In a design-build project, the Code of Professional Conduct holds the design-builder responsible for quality of work performed by subcontractors because: