March Madness in the Construction Industry

As we enter another edition of March Madness for the NCAA basketball tournament, I reflected upon one of the reasons I truly enjoy this time of year.  I think it is fascinating to watch the match ups between teams that are oozing with skilled prima donna players and those teams who rely on teamwork rather than individual talent.  It is great to see teamwork triumph over flair. 

For some reason this battle of talent vs. teamwork make me reflect upon a relatively new project delivery method being used in the construction industry.  The Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) method is just beginning to gain traction in the United States.  This approach does away with the classic delivery method that relies on individual aptitude and creates a team atmosphere where the owner, architect, contractor, and key subcontractors all work together from design to completion.

As I consider some of my company’s most successful projects in the past, there is one common denominator that drove that success.  On our smoothest projects, the owner, architect, and general contractor all worked together effectively during all stages of the venture.  If a design change was required, access to the architect was immediate, and coordination with the contractor was prompt.  Without a doubt, the best projects had players who connected much like a finely tuned basketball team.

The IPD method of running a project is based upon the premise that the project can be structured to facilitate this type of teamwork.  Essentially IPD structures a contract where a preselected architect, general contractor, and key subcontractors sign an agreement to work on the project as a team before the design phase.  In a typical project, the owner selects an architect who designs the work to be performed.  Then the general contractor and subcontractors are selected from the low bids and the work commences.  In the IPD structure, the members are determined prior to the design of the project.  A great deal of emphasis is put on a collaborative design approach where the team works with the owner to mutually work through all design and budgetary issues.  This concerted effort on the upfront design results in a much more streamlined construction phase.

The AIA’s IPD guide states the following benefits for this method of delivery: “The integrated delivery process allows the designer to benefit from the early contribution of constructors’ expertise during the design phase, such as accurate budget estimates to inform design decisions and the pre-construction resolution of design-related issues resulting in improved project quality and financial performance. The IPD process increases the level of effort during early design phases, resulting in reduced documentation time, and improved cost control and budget management, all of which increase the likelihood that project goals, including schedule, life cycle costs, quality and sustainability, will be achieved”.   You can access this guide through the following link:   http://www.aia.org/contractdocs/AIAS077630

When you combine this new means of facilitating cooperation within the construction team with some of the technological developments in the industry, the IPD concept has an even better chance of working.  The flourishing of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) make it possible for the IDP team to work together in the design process.  VDC enables the team to construct the building in the virtual world prior to breaking ground.  These systems provide a platform where all members can collaborate and the 3D modeling displays how everything will integrate. This article in Building Design & Construction does a good job of describing VDC. http://www.bdcnetwork.com/bim-becomes-vdc 

Another element of the IPD process is to force the team members to co-locate.  This “Big Room Concept” relocates the owner, architect, and contractor to a single physical location.  Although there have been great advances in teleconferencing over the years, there is nothing like physically getting people together.  This is especially true when you are combining large egos or dealing with complex or controversial issues.

It makes sense to involve key subcontractors in the IPD delivery method.  Subcontractors who have a unique design process or a niche skill can add a great deal to the design process.  Involving these players early can cut costs, improve quality, and reduce construction schedules.  Re-View, for example, contributes a great deal to the design process.  We often work with architects on upfront design issues relative to historic windows.  We also connect directly with general contractors to coordinate schedules, refine scopes, and wrestle with site logistics.  It also helps to have our company tuned into the other key subcontractors so we all work in concert.

It has yet to be determined whether IPD is going to catch on and become accepted in the mainstream of the construction industry.  Will the construction team be capable of setting aside egos and work as a team as opposed to functioning as disparate individuals?  For now, let’s see if a group of moderately talented basketball players will run away with the 2014 NCAA title because of their passion for the game.  If they do, then perhaps that gives fuel to the argument that teamwork is the best way to go in the construction industry as well.