Altern. Proj. Delivery Methods (SEC.

102)

Full Name
SAHRA SHAKOURI

Student ID
301302956

Assignment
#2 Design Build

Date of Submission
February 12, 2023
Contents

1. As a Construction Manager, which Project Delivery Method would you use to address each project
scenario and why? ......................................................................................................................................... 2

2. State the most appropriate time and circumstances to use each of the above project delivery
methods. Use separate heading for each method. State two considerations before choosing each project
delivery method. ........................................................................................................................................... 4

3. Identify/propose two additional typical scenarios where each method may be applied. ...................... 6

4. Suggest the type of owner that would have a preference for each project delivery method and why. . 8

5. Advantages and Disadvantages of each project delivery method.. ..................................................... 10

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1. As a Construction Manager, which Project Delivery Method would you use to address
each project scenario and why?
Scenario: 1) A small rural municipality has the town library to be built in the coming years.

The Design-Build Project Delivery Method is well-suited for the construction of a small town
library in a rural municipality. The size of the project is an important factor to consider, as
larger projects may require more complex project management strategies. However, the smaller
scale of the town library project makes it a perfect candidate for the Design-Build method, as it
is designed for small and medium-sized projects. This method allows for the design and
construction phases to be overlapped, which can lead to a faster delivery time compared to other
project delivery methods. This can be especially beneficial for a small municipality with limited
resources and budgets to complete the project quickly.

Moreover, the Design-Build method provides a single point of responsibility for both the design
and construction of the library, which can simplify the communication and decision-making
process. This can reduce the potential for misunderstandings and delays, which can be
particularly helpful for a small municipality that may not have extensive experience in
managing construction projects. The design-build contractor has the incentive to find cost-
effective solutions during the design phase, which can lead to cost savings on the construction
phase. This can be particularly valuable for a small municipality with limited financial
resources.

By applying the Design-Build Project Delivery Method, the small rural municipality can benefit
from a streamlined and efficient construction process. The close collaboration between the
design-build contractor and the owner can lead to improved results and greater satisfaction for
all parties involved. The municipality can be confident that the project will be completed on
time, on budget, and to their satisfaction. The library will also be available for use by the
community sooner, which can provide benefits such as access to educational and cultural
resources, and a meeting place for community events. Overall, the Design-Build method
provides numerous benefits for small rural municipalities and is a suitable choice for the
construction of a town library in such a community.

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Scenario: 2) A provincial government has a 5 km section of a highly used highway to be
reconstructed because of damage by a recent earthquake.

In the scenario, the reconstruction of a highly used highway after an earthquake, the quality of
work is the top priority. Although the Design-Build method may accelerate the reconstruction
of the road, it is often associated with more risk and potential for low-quality work due to the
single entity being responsible for both design and construction. In contrast, the Design -Bid-
Build method involves separate entities for design and construction, which may lead to a more
rigorous review of the design plans and a competitive bidding process that can ensure quality
and value for the government.

Therefore, the Design-Bid-Build method would be my preferred choice as the Construction

Manager for the reconstruction of a 5 km section of a highly used highway that was damaged
by a recent earthquake. This method is best suited for this project due to its proven ability to
deliver high-quality results and provide a high level of control over the design and construction
processes. In this method, the provincial government would first engage an architect or engineer
to create a detailed design for the new highway. The design would then be put out to bid to
contractors, who would submit their proposals based on their estimated cost to construct the
project. The provincial government would then select the contractor based on factors such as
price, experience, references, and commitment to quality. During construction, the contractor
would be responsible for ensuring that the new highway is built to the exact specifications
outlined in the design, with a focus on delivering a high-quality end product.

In this particular scenario, the quality of the reconstruction is a crucial factor and cannot be
compromised. With the design-bid-build method, the contractor will execute the project based
on the detailed design provided by the design team. This eliminates the potential for
misinterpretation or mistakes during construction, as the contractor will have a clear
understanding of what is expected of them. The use of a detailed design also ensures that the
final product will be of high quality, meeting the specific requirements and standards set forth
by the government.

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2. State the most appropriate time and circumstances to use each of the above project
delivery methods. Use separate heading for each method. State two considerations before
choosing each project delivery method.

2.1. Design-Build Project Delivery Method

The design-build project delivery method is a popular choice for projects where the owner wants
to minimize risk, as the design-build team is responsible for both the design and construction
phases of the project. This method allows for a faster overall project completion time, as the
design and construction phases can be completed in parallel. The design-build team is able to
identify any potential design or construction issues early on, reducing the risk of cost and time
overruns. The design-build project delivery method is appropriate when the owner wants a
single entity to be responsible for both the design and construction of a project. This method is
suitable for projects that require a fast completion timeline, are complex in nature, or require a
high level of collaboration between the design and construction teams.

Before choosing the design-build method, it is important for the owner to have a clear
understanding of the responsibilities of the design-build team. This method requires a high
degree of coordination between the design and construction teams, and the owner should
consider the need for a highly coordinated project to ensure its success. The owner should also
be comfortable with the design-build team having control over both the design and construction
phases, as this can limit their ability to make changes during the project. In the design-build
method, the owner must have a high level of trust and collaboration with the design-build team,
as the design-build team will have a significant amount of control over the design and
construction of the project.

2.2. Design-Bid-Build Project Delivery Method

The design-bid-build project delivery method is a traditional approach to delivering

construction projects and is a popular choice for larger, more complex projects. This method
allows for a clear separation of responsibilities between the design and construction phases,
making it easier to manage and control the project budget. The design phase is completed by a
separate design team, and the construction phase is then bid out to contractors, providing the
owner with multiple options for the construction phase. The design-bid-build project delivery

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method is appropriate when the owner wants to have more control over the design and
construction process and when the project requirements are well defined. This method is usually
used for projects that are straightforward in nature and where there is a clear scope of work.

Before choosing the design-bid-build method, the owner should consider the importance of a
competitive bidding process to determine the most cost-effective construction solution. The
owner should also be comfortable with the separation of responsibilities between the design and
construction phases, as this can result in a longer overall project completion time. The design -
bid-build method provides a structured approach to the project and helps to ensure that the
project stays within budget and is completed on time. However, this method may also result in
a lack of coordination between the design and construction phases, leading to potential issues
or delays during the construction phase. The design-bid-build project delivery method is
appropriate when the owner wants to have more control over the design and construction
process and when the project requirements are well defined. This method is usually used for
projects that are straightforward in nature and where there is a clear scope of work .

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3. Identify/propose two additional typical scenarios where each method may be applied.

3.1. Typical construction scenarios for DBB include:

• Government projects where procurement laws require the use of competitive bidding
processes.
• Complex projects with well-defined design specifications, such as high-rise buildings,
bridges, or airports.

Scenario 1: Commercial Office Building Construction

A typical scenario for commercial office building construction may involve an owner hiring an
architectural or engineering firm to design the building. The owner may provide specific
requirements for the building, including square footage, number of floors, and amenities. Once
the design is complete, the owner will then solicit bids from general contractors to build the
office building. The contractor with the winning bid will then be responsible for const ructing
the building according to the design specifications.

Scenario 2: Water Treatment Plant Expansion

Another example where the design-bid-build approach may be applied is in water treatment
plant expansion projects. In this scenario, a local government agency may hire an engineering
firm to design an expansion of an existing water treatment plant. The design may include plans
for new water tanks, pipelines, and treatment systems. After the design is complete, the
government agency will then solicit bids from construction contractors to build the expansion.
The contractor with the winning bid will then be responsible for building the expansion
according to the design specifications.

3.2. Typical construction scenarios for DB include:

• Time-sensitive projects that require a quick start to construction, such as emergency

repairs or renovations.

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 • Projects where the design and construction processes are closely integrated, such as
custom residential homes, specialized industrial facilities, or complex renovation
projects.

Scenario 1: Construction of a New Hotel

Design-build (DB) is a project delivery method where a single entity is responsible for both the
design and construction of a project. A typical scenario where the design-build approach may
be applied is in the construction of a new hotel. In this scenario, the hotel owner would hire a
design-build firm to handle both the design and construction of the new hotel. The firm would
work with the owner to determine the specific requirements for the hotel, including the number
of rooms, amenities, and any other unique features. The design-build firm would then be
responsible for delivering the completed hotel, handling all aspects of the project from initial
design to final construction.

Scenario 2: Highway Reconstruction and Widening

Another scenario where the design-build approach may be used is in highway reconstruction
and widening projects. In this scenario, a government agency may hire a design-build firm to
handle both the design and construction of the project. The firm would work with the agency
to determine the specific requirements for the project, including the number of lanes, any new
interchanges or exits, and any other unique features. The design-build firm would then be
responsible for delivering the completed highway project, handling all aspects of the project
from initial design to final construction.

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4. Suggest the type of owner that would have a preference for each project delivery method
and why.

Generally, the choice between DBB and DB methods depends on the specific needs of the owner
and the requirements of the project, such as project complexity, degree of control and oversight,
collaboration and innovation, and schedule and budget constraints.

4.1. Design-Bid-Build:

Type of Owner:

• Traditional or conservative owners who have a clear idea of what they want and prefer
a separate design and construction process.
• Owners with limited project experience or those who want to ensure that their project is
completed within a set budget.
• Governmental Entities, institutional owners, and private owners with complex or highly
regulated projects, where a detailed and rigorous design phase is important to ensure
compliance with regulations and standards.

Reasons:

• Design-bid-build allows owners to see the design of their project before construction
begins and to choose a contractor based on the lowest bid.
• Under this method, the project owner contracts with a designer to develop the design
plans and specifications for the project, and then solicits bids from contractors to
perform the construction work.
• This method provides a clear distinction between the design and construction phases,
making it easier to identify and address issues before they become problems.
• Design-bid-build is typically used for projects that have well-defined specifications and
requirements, making it easier to compare bids from contractors.

4.2. Design-Build:

Type of Owner:

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 • Owners such as public entities who want to streamline the design and construction
process and prefer a single point of responsibility for the project.
• Owners who want to be more involved in the design process and prefer a collaborative
approach with the contractor.
• Owners who want to save time and minimize the risk of delays, change orders, and cost
overruns.

Reasons:

• Design-build allows for a more integrated design and construction process, reducing the
risk of miscommunication and errors.
• This method allows for more collaboration between the owner, designer, and contractor,
leading to a more successful project outcome.
• Design-build typically results in a more streamlined construction process, reducing the
time required to complete a project.
• The single point of responsibility provided by design-build reduces the risk of cost
overruns, change orders, and delays.

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5. Advantages and Disadvantages of each project delivery method. Use a Table format for
your answers.

When embarking on a construction project, one of the most important decisions is selecting the
most suitable project delivery method. Two common project delivery methods are Design-Bid-
Build (DBB) and Design-Build (DB), each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The
pros and cons of DBB and DB delivery methods are summarized in Table 1. and Table 2.
respectively.

Table 1 Advantages & disadvantages of DBB delivery method

Advantages Disadvantages
Clear Separation of Design and Construction
Time-Consuming
Phases
Competitive Bidding Results in Lowest Possible
Limited Flexibility and Innovative Solutions
Cost
Well-defined contractual relationships Risk of design errors is transferred to contractor
Design changes easily accommodated prior to start No contractor input in design, value engineering or
of construction life-cycle costs
Predictable Costs and construction cost is fixed at
Delays and Cost Overruns
contract award
Contractor Has Clear Understanding of Project Miscommunication between Design and
Requirements Construction Teams
Low bid cost, maximum competition Constructability issues

Table 2 Advantages & disadvantages of DB delivery method

Advantages Disadvantages
Single Point of Responsibility Limited Competition
Faster Project Completion Time as construction
Limited Owner Control Over Design
starts earlier
Improved Communication and Collaboration Lack of Cost Competition
Increased Design Flexibility and Innovative
Dependence on Single Contractor
Solutions
Reduced Risk for Owner Potential for Conflicts of Interest

Integration of Design and Construction Phases Potential for Cost Overruns

Less change in orders Less quality control and lack of design clarity

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