Early Adopters Dissect Their IPD Experiences: Part 1
The American Institute of Architects (AIA), California Council, recently learned and published some valuable lessons from people on the front lines of building. They brought together 32 owners, architects, general contractors and subcontractors who had been involved in delivering projects using alternative methods, including Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). The group then dissected their experiences with these projects to determine if there were commonalities of what worked and what didn’t, and how the processes could be improved.
Right at the beginning it was clear the participants recognized the traditional way of building where each entity involved focused closely on only its own piece, was no longer a good way to go. Reasons listed included:
- Increasing project complexity
- Increasingly restrictive building codes
- More specialized business entities
- Greater chances of claims and litigation
The group also suggested there were escalating consequences for each player in the building process as long as traditional building practices are followed.
For designers the constant need to adjust design to meet the budget results in inefficiencies and slippage in design intent. For the contractors keeping up with the document flow including change orders and information requests results in inefficiencies and lost productivity in the field. Owners face ending up with a project that is less desirable while having to deal with high risk and unpredictable costs. Then too, everyone involved faces higher risks of financial loss.
The participants also had a lot to say about how IPD can turn much of that around. When owners, contractors and designers form a team with the goal of mutually collaborating to build the best they can build then many of the problems that plague traditional approaches to building are eliminated. Because the collaboration results in great efficiencies the project is delivered on time, and on budget. There is also a higher degree of accountability since the team has to solve the problem and not just the one who is affected by the problem. The other advantages of IPD include:
- Getting things right the first time
- Predictable and controlled costs
- Greater chance of accomplishing all owner goals
- The flexibility to adjust to and benefit from changing market conditions
The participants also had a lot to say about things that worked and didn’t work when it comes to forming the IPD team, and there will be more about that, right here, tomorrow.
