Project Managers (PM)
Project Managers (PM), also known as Owners Representatives (OR), are needed now more than ever in our road to recovery from the COVID-19 crisis to ensure that construction projects in progress and new projects are executed as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Project Managers (PM), also known as Owners Representatives (OR), are needed now more than ever in our road to recovery from the COVID-19 crisis to ensure that construction projects in progress and new projects are executed as efficiently and effectively as possible. Construction Professionals and Real Estate Developers are constantly searching for ways to improve project efficiencies and avoid cost and schedule overruns. Industry experts have offered countless methods to accomplish these goals, from technological advancements, to new building materials to better work environments.Efficiency in construction can hardly be taken for granted with so many stakeholders and participants. From owners, to architects, to engineers, to general contractors, to subcontractors, to material suppliers, the swirl can be daunting, cause disorganization, and cost a project substantial added time and money. Continuity between all project parties is more important than ever to ensure the best results at lowest cost and on the tightest possible schedule, and Integrated Project Delivery (“IPD”) is a valuable tool for achieving that required continuity.
Integrated Project Delivery (“IPD”)
IPD is a process whereby all participants involved in a construction project work as a singular firm lead by the OR, increasing productivity and creating faster delivery times, leaner costs, and a more enjoyable process for all project stakeholders and participants – including the owner. IPD is a meaningful response to the ongoing marketplace mandate for buildings that are faster to design and to construct at lower cost, higher quality, and in a sustainable manner. Although the delivery method debate has typically been dominated by design-bid-build and design-build, an unusual method has been creeping into the narrative and demonstrating successful results: integrated project delivery (IPD).
The role of the OR is crucial to ensuring that participants can purely focus their expertise on their direct roles and responsibilities in a cohesive fashion. Instead of participants acting as individual entities throughout the various phases of construction, IPD brings all participants together early with collaborative incentives to maximize value for the owner in such a way time, cost, quality, and integration are optimized in line with project scopes and owners’ expectation. This collaborative approach requires commitment from all parties but ultimately allows for informed decision from project inception to completion. The close collaboration eliminates a great deal of waste in the design and facilitates data and information sharing directly between the design and construction teams, eliminating a large barrier to increased productivity in construction.
The results of successful IPD creates value for the owner, for all participants, and for the finished project. Unlike a design-approve-build-delivery approach in which the general contractor is placed in the leading role on a building project, IPD creates an ecosystem of teamwork and collaboration throughout the entire construction process. In a sense and in an IPD model, the OR the leads the orchestra, while each participant expertly plays its instrument.
Phases to the integrated project delivery
There are eight broad and sequential phases to the integrated project delivery method:
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Conceptualization Phase (programming)
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Criteria Design Phase (schematic design)
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Detailed Design Phase (design development)
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Implementation Documents Phase (construction documents)
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Agency Review Phase
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Buyout Phase
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Construction Phase
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Closeout Phase
Through each phase, IPD brings together participants to consider the implications on the overall project. Further, since this model is based on the principle of shared risks/rewards, the participants have more incentive to improve costs, optimize scheduling and increase the overall quality. Therefore, when an issue arises, responsibility falls on the most capable/experienced member of the IPD team and is evaluated on a “best for the project” basis.
Having the right team members connected by the best contractual framework has tremendous positive impact upon construction projects. There will always be project hurdles to overcome, and a collaborative mentality goes a long way to mitigating potential issues that drag a project down. Better decision making and efficient performance benefits everyone! As we follow the road to recovery from COVID-19, we can infuse IPD methodology in a way the ensures the “new normal” exceeds the “old normal”.
For more Project Management tools and or training requests, go to www.cvgmanagement-dfw.com or send us an email to [email protected]
