TECHNICAL PAPERS
Mar 1, 1997

Project Characteristics for Successful Public-Sector Design-Build

Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 123, Issue 1

Abstract

The use of design-build project procurement is rapidly increasing in the public sector. Documented design-build success and imminent changes in federal procurement law are indicators of continued large-scale growth in the public sector. Rapid growth, combined with a lack of long-term experience among many public agencies, necessitates continued investigation of the underlying principles of design-build. Understanding which project characteristics are critical for success is fundamental for improved public agency implementation. To this end, a comprehensive research study was conducted on public-sector selection of design-build. This paper discusses results from a survey of 88 public-sector design-build personnel and structured interviews of federal agency representatives. Five primary project characteristics are discussed: well-defined scope, shared understanding of scope, owner construction sophistication, adequate owner staffing, and established budget. These suggest selection of design-build as an appropriate delivery strategy for successful project completion. Additionally, this paper addresses public-sector criteria of success; these include: staying on budget, conforming to user's expectations, and staying on schedule.

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Go to Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 123Issue 1March 1997
Pages: 34 - 40

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Published online: Mar 1, 1997
Published in print: Mar 1997

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Authors

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Anthony D. Songer, Associate Member, ASCE,
Asst. Prof., Dept. of Civ., Envir., and Arch. Engrg., Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80039.
Keith R. Molenaar
PhD Student, Dept. of Civ., Envir., and Arch. Engrg., Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO.

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