DBIA Executing Design-Build Projects 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During design-build project execution, what is the primary purpose of a Basis of Design (BOD) document?
- To establish the legal contract between owner and design-builder
- To document the design assumptions, codes, and criteria that govern the project (Correct answer)
- To define the construction schedule and milestones
- To outline the payment terms and retainage conditions
Correct answer: To document the design assumptions, codes, and criteria that govern the project
The Basis of Design documents the technical assumptions, applicable codes, performance criteria, and design standards that form the foundation for all project design decisions.
Question 2: Which risk is MOST commonly transferred to the design-builder in a lump-sum design-build contract?
- Differing site conditions encountered below the surface
- Design errors and omissions that increase construction cost (Correct answer)
- Owner-directed scope changes after contract execution
- Force majeure events such as natural disasters
Correct answer: Design errors and omissions that increase construction cost
In lump-sum design-build, the design-builder assumes the risk of design errors and omissions because they control both design and construction.
Question 3: What is the recommended approach when a design-builder identifies a value engineering opportunity during construction documents phase?
- Implement it immediately to reduce cost without owner notification
- Submit a formal change proposal to the owner documenting savings and impacts (Correct answer)
- Reject it to avoid scope ambiguity late in design
- Apply it only if it does not affect the contract price
Correct answer: Submit a formal change proposal to the owner documenting savings and impacts
Value engineering proposals should be formally submitted to the owner so they can evaluate savings, schedule impacts, and decide whether to accept the change.
Question 4: In design-build project execution, 'constructability review' is BEST described as:
- A legal review of the construction contract for enforceability
- An evaluation of design documents to identify construction challenges and optimize methods (Correct answer)
- A safety inspection conducted by a third-party authority
- A financial audit of subcontractor bids
Correct answer: An evaluation of design documents to identify construction challenges and optimize methods
Constructability review integrates construction expertise into the design process to identify and resolve issues that could impede efficient field execution.
Question 5: When a design-build team uses a 'pull planning' scheduling technique, they are primarily:
- Pulling subcontractor bids from a prequalified list
- Working backward from project milestones to identify prerequisite activities and handoffs (Correct answer)
- Extracting design data from BIM models automatically
- Scheduling inspections by pulling permits in advance
Correct answer: Working backward from project milestones to identify prerequisite activities and handoffs
Pull planning, a lean construction technique, starts from target milestones and works backward to identify what must be done and by whom to meet those dates.
Question 6: Which document typically governs the design-builder's obligations regarding submittals and owner review in design-build projects?
- The project's geotechnical report
- The Design-Build contract and associated Design Responsibility Matrix (Correct answer)
- The local building department's permit application
- The subcontractor's scope of work agreement
Correct answer: The Design-Build contract and associated Design Responsibility Matrix
The contract and Design Responsibility Matrix define what submittals are required, their format, review periods, and who bears responsibility for design elements.
Question 7: During execution of a design-build project, the design-builder discovers that actual soil bearing capacity is lower than the geotechnical report indicated. What is the FIRST appropriate action?
- Proceed with the original foundation design to stay on schedule
- Notify the owner immediately and document the differing site condition (Correct answer)
- Redesign the foundation at the design-builder's cost without disclosure
- Stop all work until the owner provides a new geotechnical study
Correct answer: Notify the owner immediately and document the differing site condition
Differing site conditions must be promptly reported to the owner so both parties can assess cost and schedule impacts and pursue appropriate contractual relief.
DBIA Executing Design-Build Projects 2
During design-build project execution, what is the primary purpose of a Basis of Design (BOD) document?