Design-build Project Delivery Research Articles

Validating the Relative Importance of Technology Diffusion Barriers– Exploring Modular Construction Design-Build Practices in the UK

ABSTRACT This research investigates the low use of modular construction despite its recognized cost, time, quality, safety, and sustainability advantages. Using technology diffusion theory, this study seeks to identify and rank the characteristics that impede modular building adoption, such as relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability. A survey of industry professionals in the United Kingdom was undertaken, and the results, validated by a one-sample t-test, showed that attitudes toward modular building, rather than technical difficulties, are the key impediments to broad adoption. The degree to which modular construction resonates with prospective adopters’ current values, past experiences, and requirements determines its acceptance. Traditional mind-sets, the presence of traditional constructs, resistance to change, prior attitudes, bid prices, hesitation, and skepticism are all associated with non-adoption. Professional positions serve as a bridge between adopters and non-adapters. The research also emphasizes the importance of design-build project delivery systems and early supplier chain participation in accelerating the mainstream adoption of modular construction.

Development Of Risk-Based Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Standards For Integrated Design And Construction Phase On Design-Build Method Of Architectural Works Of High-Rise Building To Improve Construction Safety Performance

Design-build methods are one of the options in carrying out the construction of high-rise buildings with a high level of uncertainty from design phase to construction, which also affects the safety performance of the project itself. Therefore, a prevention standard for a high-risk event is needed based on project activities. This research was prepared using a descriptive qualitative method with expert validation process through Delphi method and completed with a questionnaire survey to conduct a risk assessment. The output in this research is a development of risk-based standard work breakdown structure for architectural work, which generated from 39 high level risk. Based on the results of the mapping of preventive and corrective actions at high-level risks, 5 types of WBS development can be carried out at levels 3 to 6 of the WBS to prevent and minimize the impact of risk so that safety performance could be improved. The novelty in this research lies in the form of design-build project delivery activities which has not been widely discussed in previous work breakdown structure research and risk identification based on the activities listed on the WBS.

Quality Management Framework for Housing Construction in a Design-Build Project Delivery System: A BIM-UAV Approach

Quality management in project administration can affect the costs and schedule of a project considerably. The immediate notable result of unacceptable quality in a construction project is the “dissatisfied client.” which can be interpreted as “customer loss”. Additionally, defective work is a synonym for problems such as dispute, because items of non-compliance with early agreements can be considered the main factor in triggering claims by the client. The integrated use of two modern technologies, namely Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) is proposed in this study to support project quality management (PQM). This study aims to develop the theoretical underpinnings to provide a quality management framework, formed by BIM-UAV, for housing projects in design-build (D&B) contracts. For this purpose, in the first step the causes of client dissatisfaction rooted in quality concerns were identified in two phases of design and construction. The next step was dedicated to the mapping of BIM-UAV capacities to address the identified causes of dissatisfaction of the client. In the final step, expert opinion was obtained to integrate the BIM-UAV capacities to the quality management framework. The findings and main contribution of this study to the body of knowledge is a guide for design-builders to implement BIM-UAV as an innovative quality management solution to improve their services and to gain the maximum level of client satisfaction, focusing on house building.

Exploring the impact of project size on design-bid-build and design-build project delivery performance in highways

The highway construction industry has been increasingly using design-build (D-B) project delivery because of its documented benefits. Only limited studies, if any, have compared D-B and traditional design-bid-build (D-B-B) project performance based on the size of projects. The existing gap was addressed by investigating the cost growth, schedule growth, and construction intensity of highway projects delivered under D-B-B and D-B with the project sizes ranging from $2 million to greater than $100 million. These projects were collected from six state departments of transportations in the U.S. with mature D-B programs. Several statistics tests including t-test, Welch’s test, and Mann–Whitney U-test were used to analyze 3888 completed highway construction projects. The results show that D-B produced a lower cost growth than D-B-B in the project size of over $10 million while D-B-B projects had lower cost growth than D-B projects in the project size from $2 million to $10 million. D-B projects also produced less schedule growth than D-B-B projects across all groups of project size. D-B-B projects had a faster work pace than D-B projects in the project size from $2 million to $10 million. The findings contribute to the project delivery body of knowledge by reporting statistically empirical comparisons between D-B-B and D-B project performance controlled by the project size. The findings may help highway agencies better understand how D-B performs under the different sizes of projects in terms of cost growth, schedule growth, and construction intensity.

DEA-based multi-criteria selection model and framework for design-build contracting

ABSTRACT The design-build project delivery method allows owners to deal with a single source of responsibility for the design and construction phases of a facility. Due to its inherent complexity, there is a serious need for an optimal mechanism that can identify and select qualified organizations to successfully deliver projects under this technique. Therefore, the goal of the research project presented in this paper is to develop a multi-criteria decision-making model and framework that will assist owners in selecting qualified design-build organizations. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique is utilized for developing an efficient multi-criteria selection model and framework that are based on the identified quantitative and qualitative criteria. The DEA-based multi-criteria decision-making framework provides a hybrid methodology that integrates the DEA linear programming approach with the importance weights of each of the identified criteria. As such, the DEA-based multi criteria selection framework proposed in this research endeavor addresses the identified limitations of existing models and provides an effective, robust, and consistent selection model coupled with a flexible framework that allows for screening bidders based on both the preferred values as set by the owner and the full DEA core model criteria.

Evaluation of Cost Growth Factors in Design-Build Highway Projects Using Structural Equation Modeling

Design-build (DB) project delivery is often used to overcome limitations of the traditional design-bid-build delivery method. Identification of project performance influencing factors is important for selecting a project delivery method. The measurement of project performance is typically attributed to the cost, schedule, and quality dimensions, where the cost growth typically plays a substantial role. The cost growth in a project is influenced by multiple project characteristics, including project size, project complexity, project type, delivery risks, and other variables. This study identifies multiple directly or indirectly related determinants and their effects on the cost growth of a DB project. A total of 118 DB highway projects across the US were examined. An empirical investigation was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the effect of project complexity, delivery risk, project types, and facility types on project cost growth. An exploratory factor analysis was initially conducted to identify the critical risk factors related to DB construction projects. Results of the SEM analysis indicated that project complexity had a statistically significant direct effect on the cost growth of a DB project. Other factors, including delivery risks, facility type, and project type, demonstrated an indirect effect on the project cost growth. The findings contribute to the project delivery body of knowledge by identifying both direct and indirect factors affecting cost growth of DB highway projects. The results of this study may help practitioners create more accurate estimates and better manage risk for DB projects by identifying the critical risk factors and including the required contingency funds for the project.

Improving cost performance in design-bid-build road projects by mapping the reasons for cost overruns into the project phases.

Alternative project delivery methods such as design-build (DB) have shown to be better for controlling cost growth comparing with the traditional Design-Bid-Build (DBB) method. The purpose of this research is to identify the main reasons for cost overruns in the design, the procurement and the construction phases of DBB road projects as a point of departure to find specific elements of DB project delivery that might help to minimize these reasons. To identify these reasons, an exploratory content analysis was performed based on the study of 41 interviews conducted with professionals involved in road project management in Chile. Literature review and document analysis of DB were used to analyze the identified reasons under the framework of the DB practice in the United States. The results showed that four elements based on the DB approach might be used to minimize cost overruns in DBB projects: (1) In the design phase, road administrators should consider the early integration of the constructor’s expertise. In the procurement phase, they should establish (2) instances for effective information exchange and (3) a goal-oriented selection process. Overall, road administrators should consider (4) establishing a one-point of high-level accountability for the design, the procurement, and the construction phases. This study will serve DBB road administrators to start the transition from DBB to more collaborative approaches that will help to minimizer cost overruns and therefore, to improve the project cost performance.

Revisiting Project Delivery System Performance from 1998 to 2018

AbstractThis paper presents the results of a study to compare the performance of design-bid-build (DBB), construction manager at risk (CMR), and design-build (DB) project delivery systems in the US...

Lessons Learned from Progressive Design-Build Implementation on Airport Projects

AbstractOver the last decade, with legislation changes and increased project complexity, some airports started using progressive design-build (DB) project delivery, a variation of the traditional D...

Performance of Highway Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build Projects by Work Types

AbstractThe design-build (D-B) project delivery method has been used increasingly by state departments of transportation (DOTs) because of its documented benefits. Many studies have shown the super...

Examination of communication processes in design-build project delivery in building construction

PurposeDesign-Build (D-B) is a project delivery method in which the owner procures both design and construction services in the same contract from a single legal entity. There is limited research on how communication among parties influences the success of D-B projects. The purpose of this paper is to examine D-B communication issues and provides effective practices on communication to improve D-B procurement processes in the USA.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology for this study includes a comprehensive review of literature, survey questionnaire, and structured interviews. A questionnaire was developed to collect data from professionals with an average of 23 years of experience related to D-B procurement. Eight structured interviews were conducted to verify and validate the survey questionnaire results.FindingsThe results showed that the communication issues vary along with each phase of the D-B process. The primary communication practices influencing the success of D-B projects are: establishing clear points of contact; providing clear and understandable information among stakeholders during the D-B process; and the timely sharing of information to all stakeholders.Research limitations/implicationsThe chief limitation of this research is that the primary data were mostly opinions from experts although several empirical data were collected for cross-validation. This research did not consider the relationship of relevant contract clauses and communication issues.Practical implicationsThe findings from this paper will help professionals better understand the D-B procurement process.Originality/valueThis is one of the first attempts to discuss D-B communication issues in each different phase of a D-B project.

CHALLENGES OF DESIGN-BUILD METHOD IMPLEMENTATION IN PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT DELIVERY

Infrastructure, including public works, plays a very important role in supporting a nation’s effort for a better condition of life through economic growth and, in this regard, the Indonesian government is striving to accelerate the execution of a vast number of construction projects. A total budget of around USD 420 billion is made available to realize the program. Meanwhile, public works project delivery in Indonesia still have problems hampering the achievement of its ultimate objective, i.e. producing high quality facilities on time and without cost overruns. A breakthrough in project delivery is needed to ameliorate the condition. This paper describes Indonesia’s struggle to shift from a traditional Design-Bid-Build to a Design-Build delivery system for big public works construction projects. The research consists of a desk study of related existing literature and planning as well as evaluation documents to identify and analyze the challenges and strategic issues of this undertaking to create better value for money. A critical review of a recently issued Indonesian public works’ ministerial regulation on design-build project delivery system is also carried out. Finally, the paper offers important suggestions for a thrust forward to improve the quality of Indonesia’s public works’ construction project delivery and construction industry as a whole in supporting infrastructure development.

Design and Build: Perception of Project Owners and Contractors on Cost in Java, Indonesia

Design-build (DB) is a project delivery that has already been used widely in USA, UK, Singapore and in other countries. However, it is not widely used in Indonesia and there are limited studies available on DB. The purpose of this paper is to quantify project owners’ and contractors’ opinions about the perceived benefits of DB in terms of cost in Java, Indonesia. The quantitative research design using survey study was conducted to evaluate stakeholders’ opinion on the impact of DB on cost. Survey forms with questionnaires were sent to ten project owners and ten contractors. Inferential statistics using t-test was used to compare the perception between them. The result shows that project owners and contractors agree that DB project delivery has some benefits on cost. However, implementation has to be improved in order for DB to be a preferable project delivery option.

Progressive Design-Build Project Delivery Leads to Successful Support of a Local Manufacturing Facility with Municipal Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure

Progressive Design-Build Project Delivery Leads to Successful Support of a Local Manufacturing Facility with Municipal Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure

Assessment of State Agencies’ Practices in Managing Geotechnical Risk in Design–Build Projects

Policies and procedures of state highway agencies for articulating geotechnical information and requirements on design–build (DB) projects are the means to manage the geotechnical risk. Successful approaches and practices to managing geotechnical risk not only reduce the level of geotechnical uncertainty for both the owner and the competing design–builder but also distribute the remaining geotechnical risk between the parties. Discussed here are the differences with regard to geotechnical risk management, aspects of the DB procurement process, and contract aspects between state departments of transportation (DOTs) with experience delivering projects using the DB process versus those that are not as experienced. Results are presented from two independent sources of information: one was obtained through a literature review of aspects related to geotechnical requirements and management of DB projects and the other was obtained through an online survey of 38 state DOTs. Results of the study statistically demonstrate the value of DB experience in managing geotechnical risk and, accordingly, a set of recommended practices for agencies that are relatively new to DB project delivery, during both procurement and contract formation, is presented.

The Current Practice of Design and Build Procurement Process in Malaysia

This paper discusses the design-build project delivery method which is becoming an increasingly viable alternative to traditional project delivery method in the public sector. This interest has led to dialogue among public sector agencies to establish and formalise understanding of the design-build process and its implementation. The process consists of six stages namely Project Definition, Request for Qualification, Request for Proposal, Proposal Submission and Evaluation, Contract Award, and Document/Construction. Therefore, this finding of Design-Build (DB) procurement process is on the improvement and understanding on an owner and contractor in practice and implementation in Malaysia. 
 Keywords: design/build, design/bid/build, advantage and disadvantage, procurement process

Answering the $64,000 Question: Geotechnical Risk in Design-Build Projects

Subsurface risk may well be the aspect of most construction projects that has the greatest potential impact on a project's success or failure. Even when a thorough geotechnical investigation is conducted as part of the design process, the owner may still be liable for differing site conditions found after construction has commenced. Thus, if managing geotechnical risk is difficult in projects delivered using the traditional design-bid-build (DBB) method, the stakes go way up when the owner decides to complete a project using design-build (DB) project delivery.

Applying system dynamics for outsourcing services in design-build projects

This study analysed a system dynamics model for outsourcing engineering services in a large and complex project organisational structure that is typically associated with design-build (DB) project delivery. A literature review indicated that most of the reviewed papers implied the project engineering resources were totally insourced or the authors were silent regarding any resources that were outsourced. Comprehensive sensitivity analysis of various model variables was performed, which indicates that the quality and productivity of the outsourced resources as well as the initial number of assigned experienced engineers significantly impacted the amount and timing of engineering work completion. Project outcomes were also impacted by varying the number of initial and changed engineering tasks. The decision to insource/outsource engineering work on DB projects may have significant cost and time impacts, which should be considered by decision makers.

Design Management in Design-Build Megaprojects: SR 99 Bored Tunnel Case Study

AbstractThe increasing use of the design-build project delivery method has resulted in it now being one of the most popular nontraditional methods for delivering road, bridge, mass transit, and rail projects in the United States. However, although the use of design-build is widespread, there remains a substantial lack of information about how to effectively plan and implement design management procedures for design-build transportation projects. In particular, transportation agencies lack information about how to shape appropriate design management roles for various contractual parties and to manage design activities for design-build megaprojects. To fill this gap, this paper presents a case study of the SR 99 Bored Tunnel project in Seattle, Washington. It provides detailed information on how the owner, the Washington State DOT (WSDOT), incorporated design management procedures into its requirements and how the design-builder, Seattle Tunnel Partners, implemented them within its project management processes.

Impact of Risk on Design-Build Selection for Highway Design and Construction Projects

AbstractThe design-build (DB) project delivery method continues to grow as a viable alternative delivery method for highway projects. The primary reason for selecting DB delivery is to take advantage of the time savings inherent in the process. However, because of low levels of design at the time of contract awards, DB contracts often carry more risks and uncertainties than other contracts, which makes the decision to select DB delivery complex. Applying risk analysis strategies and tools to the delivery selection process will help decision makers evaluate and select the DB delivery method consistently and defensibly. This paper examines 39 generic risk factors related to the DB delivery selection process. These risks were identified through previous research and risk analysis workshops on transportation projects worth more than $10 billion. To explore how these risks impact DB delivery selection, a questionnaire was developed to collect data from a national cross section of professionals with an average ...