DBIA Project Delivery Method Selection Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the three primary project delivery methods that owners typically evaluate?
- Low bid, negotiated bid, and sole source
- Design-bid-build (DBB), design-build (DB), and construction manager at-risk (CMAR) (Correct answer)
- Architecture, engineering, and construction
- Planning, design, and construction
Correct answer: Design-bid-build (DBB), design-build (DB), and construction manager at-risk (CMAR)
The three primary delivery methods are design-bid-build, design-build, and construction manager at-risk.
Each method represents a different contractual structure: DBB uses separate contracts for design and construction, DB uses a single contract for both, and CMAR has the CM provide preconstruction services and guarantee a price while the owner retains a separate designer.
Question 2: Which factor most favors selecting design-build over design-bid-build?
- The owner wants to maintain separate contracts
- The project requires an accelerated schedule and the owner values early cost certainty (Correct answer)
- The owner has unlimited time for sequential phases
- The project is simple with no schedule pressure
Correct answer: The project requires an accelerated schedule and the owner values early cost certainty
Design-build is particularly advantageous when schedule compression and early cost certainty are priorities.
Research shows design-build projects are delivered 33% faster. Cost certainty is enhanced because the design-builder controls both design and construction, reducing change orders. Additional factors include desire for innovation and reduced administrative burden.
Question 3: What is the 'construction manager at-risk' (CMAR) delivery method, and how does it compare to design-build?
- CMAR and design-build are identical
- CMAR provides a separate construction manager during design who later guarantees a maximum price, while the owner retains a separate design contract (Correct answer)
- CMAR eliminates the need for an architect
- CMAR always costs more than design-build
Correct answer: CMAR provides a separate construction manager during design who later guarantees a maximum price, while the owner retains a separate design contract
CMAR brings construction expertise into design early but maintains separate owner contracts with the designer and the CM.
In CMAR, the owner maintains separate contracts with the designer and the CM. This means the owner still manages two primary contracts and bears design coordination risk. Design-build consolidates both under one contract.
Question 4: What role does project complexity play in delivery method selection?
- Complex projects should always use design-bid-build
- Higher complexity generally favors delivery methods with early contractor involvement because construction expertise during design reduces risk (Correct answer)
- Complexity has no impact on delivery method selection
- Complex projects cannot use design-build
Correct answer: Higher complexity generally favors delivery methods with early contractor involvement because construction expertise during design reduces risk
Complex projects benefit from early contractor involvement during design, as construction expertise helps identify and mitigate risks.
Complex projects involving difficult sites, renovation of existing facilities, or sophisticated systems benefit enormously from having construction expertise influence design decisions from the earliest stages.
Question 5: How does the owner's desired level of design control influence delivery method selection?
- Design control is identical across all methods
- Owners wanting maximum design control often prefer DBB or CMAR, while owners willing to define requirements through performance criteria may choose DB (Correct answer)
- Owners have no design control in any delivery method
- Design-build provides the owner with more design control than DBB
Correct answer: Owners wanting maximum design control often prefer DBB or CMAR, while owners willing to define requirements through performance criteria may choose DB
Delivery methods offer different levels of owner design control, with a tradeoff between prescriptive control and innovation potential.
In DBB, the owner develops complete construction documents. In CMAR, significant design influence through the separate design contract. In DB, the owner defines performance criteria but delegates detailed design. This enables the design-builder to innovate and optimize solutions.
Question 6: What is Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and how does it relate to design-build?
- IPD is another name for design-build
- IPD is a collaborative delivery method using a multi-party contract with shared risk and reward, representing a more integrated approach than traditional design-build (Correct answer)
- IPD eliminates the need for a designer or contractor
- IPD is only used in residential construction
Correct answer: IPD is a collaborative delivery method using a multi-party contract with shared risk and reward, representing a more integrated approach than traditional design-build
IPD uses a multi-party agreement that contractually aligns interests through shared risk/reward pools, going beyond design-build's single-entity model.
IPD creates a collaborative partnership among owner, designer, and constructor through a multi-party contract. Key features include shared risk and reward, joint decision-making, liability waivers, and transparent financials.
DBIA Project Delivery Method Selection Questions and Answers 2
What are the three primary project delivery methods that owners typically evaluate?