Integrated Project Delivery - Is This the Future of Building Project Delivery?

Integrated Project Delivery is a project deliverybuilding engineers, subcontractors, fabricators and
approach that integrates people, systems, businessproduct vendors.
structures and practices into a process thatIPD Owner Benefits:
collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of allEarly and open sharing of project knowledge
participants to optimize project results, increase valuestreamlines project communications and allows the
to the owner, reduce waste, and maximize efficiencyowner to effectively balance project options to meet
through all phases of design, fabrication, andtheir business enterprise goals. All of this increases the
construction."likelihood the project goals, including schedule, life cycle
Many believe that IPD was derived from ideascosts, quality and sustainability will be achieved.
generated by Toyota Production System. I believe it isIPD Designer Benefits:
the beginning of the next generation of the design andThe IPD process increases the level of effort during
construction process and has far reaching implications.the design phases, resulting in reduced documentation
The design and construction industry is a flawedtime, and improved cost controls and budget
industry and the multitude of processes are outdatedmanagement, all of which increase the liklihood ththat
and breed a negative value for property owners,project goals including schedule, life cycle costs, quality
contractors and designers. Liability is high andand sustainability will be achieved.
accountability is low.IPD Contractor Benefits:
In the current industry processes, innovation isThe constructor's participation during the design phase
discourage and many times innovators are penalized.provides the opportunity for stronger pre-construction
This is true for owners, contractors and designers.planning, more timely and informed understanding of
Innovation is added risk. For many reasons thethe design, and improved cost control and budget
construction industry lags behind other industries in themanagement. I believe technology and BIM are at the
adaptation of new technologies. This needs to becenter of IPD. Technology is what makes this process
corrected and IPD is a good start.work.
The phases for IDP are set up to capitalize onSo why hasn't this process taken hold in the Midwest?
collaboration and allow for continual value review.#1. One reason for this is that the liabilities are not
Advanced change management software like BIMironed out contractually. As a professional business
(Building Information Modeling) is critical for making thisowner I would not risk my fee, unless I absolutely had
efficient on the design end.to, on the performance of another project team
The 8 basic phases in the IPD process:member.
Conceptualization Criteria Design Detailed Design#2. Another reason is timing. Companies are risk
Implementation Document Phase Agency Reviewaverse generally and extremely risk averse now with
Phase Buyout Phase Construction Phase Closeoutthe economic downturn.
PhaseEven so, I still believe IPD has great potential may be a
IPD is based on some very basic principles:glimpse of the future of property development. My
Mutual Respect and Trust Mutual Benefits andonly caveat is if the industry isn't turned upside down
Rewards Collaborative Innovation and Decisions Earlywith the lack of financing.
Goal Definition Intensified Planning OpenThere are many articles written on IPD and BIM and
Communication Appropriate Technology Organizationthey provide some valuable information and hopefully
and Leadership.will help to push the design and construction industry
Unlike the often misunderstood Design-Build processforward.
which places the Contractor at the center of theHas anyone used IPD successfully? If so, besides
building project IPD is a collaborative Master Buildercontractual, what are the greatest challenges?
process based on contributions from the entire buildingMake a plan. Have a plan. You'll be glad you did!
team including the owner, architect, general contractor,