Design engineers often don’t give enough thought to the project delivery method (PDM) that will take their contract documents from paper to production to reality for the building owner (client). In fact, many design engineer may not realize there are five project delivery methods: design-bid-build (D-B-B), construction management (CM), design-build (D-B), integrated project delivery (IPD), and performance contracting (PC).
These engineering-constructing methods each have their “pros and cons” and will influence the system design and role of the designer. So, why should HVAC design engineers give thought and decide on the appropriate PDM? Well, developing and producing a successful design will largely depend on the PDM because the client’s expectations for a successful project, teamwork and quality control, and the design team’s contract fee profit will be influenced and regulated based on the PDM.