Which project delivery method is traditionally the baseline approach, with the architect designing and preparing construction documents before bidding?

Which project delivery method is traditionally the baseline approach, with the architect designing and preparing construction documents before bidding?

• A. Design-Bid-Build
• B. Integrated Project Delivery
• C. Design-Build
• D. Construction Manager as Adviser

Answer: (A)

The baseline delivery approach is one where the design team completes the full construction documents before any contractor is brought in to bid. This method uses a clear handoff: architect designs and prepares the construction documents, then contractors bid on those documents, and finally a contractor is selected to construct the project under a separate contract. This separation of design and procurement is what makes it the traditional baseline. Why this fits best: it provides price competition based on a fixed set of documents and a fixed scope, with the owner having a clearly defined design before any construction decisions are locked in. It also creates a straightforward process where the architect’s documents guide the bidding and the builder’s change orders occur after construction starts. Integrated Project Delivery emphasizes early collaboration and shared risk among owner, designer, and builder, often with contracts aligned across the team, so it overlaps design and construction and isn’t the traditional baseline. Design-Build combines design and construction under one contract, with design and construction phases running concurrently, which is the opposite of the baseline separation. Construction Manager as Adviser involves the owner engaging a manager to advise during design and coordinate procurement, but there isn’t a single separate construction contract tied to the designer’s documents, so it isn’t the traditional baseline either.

The baseline delivery approach is one where the design team completes the full construction documents before any contractor is brought in to bid. This method uses a clear handoff: architect designs and prepares the construction documents, then contractors bid on those documents, and finally a contractor is selected to construct the project under a separate contract. This separation of design and procurement is what makes it the traditional baseline.

Why this fits best: it provides price competition based on a fixed set of documents and a fixed scope, with the owner having a clearly defined design before any construction decisions are locked in. It also creates a straightforward process where the architect’s documents guide the bidding and the builder’s change orders occur after construction starts.

Integrated Project Delivery emphasizes early collaboration and shared risk among owner, designer, and builder, often with contracts aligned across the team, so it overlaps design and construction and isn’t the traditional baseline. Design-Build combines design and construction under one contract, with design and construction phases running concurrently, which is the opposite of the baseline separation. Construction Manager as Adviser involves the owner engaging a manager to advise during design and coordinate procurement, but there isn’t a single separate construction contract tied to the designer’s documents, so it isn’t the traditional baseline either.