DBIA Executing Design-Build Projects 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'fast-tracking' mean in the context of design-build project execution?
- Accelerating payment processing through electronic invoicing
- Overlapping design and construction phases to compress the overall schedule (Correct answer)
- Fast-tracking permit approvals through political connections
- Assigning additional design staff to shorten the design phase only
Correct answer: Overlapping design and construction phases to compress the overall schedule
Fast-tracking overlaps design and construction phases so construction can begin on completed portions while design continues on others, reducing overall project duration.
Question 2: In a design-build project, the 'bridging documents' prepared by the owner's design consultant primarily serve to:
- Bridge the financial gap between design and construction funding
- Define the project scope and performance requirements for the design-builder's proposal (Correct answer)
- Provide a complete set of construction documents ready for permitting
- Establish the legal bridge between the owner and subcontractors
Correct answer: Define the project scope and performance requirements for the design-builder's proposal
Bridging documents convey the owner's design intent, requirements, and criteria so design-builder proposers can develop their technical solutions and price.
Question 3: Which integrated project control tool BEST supports real-time tracking of both design completion and construction progress on a design-build project?
- Critical Path Method (CPM) schedule integrated with a design deliverable log (Correct answer)
- A Gantt chart showing only construction milestones
- The project's as-bid cost estimate
- A submittal log tracking only shop drawings
Correct answer: Critical Path Method (CPM) schedule integrated with a design deliverable log
A CPM schedule integrated with a design deliverable log allows the team to monitor interdependencies between design releases and construction start dates.
Question 4: When the owner requests a change after the design-build contract is executed, the design-builder should FIRST:
- Implement the change to maintain the owner relationship
- Issue a Request for Information to clarify the change
- Evaluate the cost and schedule impacts and submit a formal change proposal (Correct answer)
- Subcontract the change work separately outside the main contract
Correct answer: Evaluate the cost and schedule impacts and submit a formal change proposal
Owner-requested changes require formal evaluation of cost, schedule, and design impacts before implementation so the contract can be properly amended.
Question 5: In design-build execution, 'design packages' released in sequence primarily benefit the project by:
- Allowing subcontractors to bid on each package independently from the start
- Enabling construction to begin on earlier packages while later packages are still being designed (Correct answer)
- Reducing the owner's review obligations to a single final review
- Satisfying building department requirements for phased permits only
Correct answer: Enabling construction to begin on earlier packages while later packages are still being designed
Sequential design package releases support fast-tracking by allowing construction on completed portions of design while the remainder is still being developed.
Question 6: Which of the following BEST describes the role of a Design-Build Project Manager during the construction phase?
- Managing only the design team's deliverables and design schedule
- Coordinating between design and construction disciplines to ensure design intent is achieved in the field (Correct answer)
- Acting solely as the owner's representative on site
- Managing subcontractor payments and lien waivers exclusively
Correct answer: Coordinating between design and construction disciplines to ensure design intent is achieved in the field
The design-build PM serves as the integrating force between design and construction, ensuring field execution reflects design intent and resolving conflicts across disciplines.
Question 7: A design-builder is required to achieve LEED Gold certification under the project contract. During construction, a specified product becomes unavailable. What should the design-builder do?
- Substitute any equivalent product without notifying the owner
- Select a substitute that maintains the required LEED credits and notify the owner of the change (Correct answer)
- Proceed with construction and address the LEED shortfall after occupancy
- Request the owner waive the LEED requirement due to product unavailability
Correct answer: Select a substitute that maintains the required LEED credits and notify the owner of the change
Product substitutions on projects with sustainability performance requirements must be evaluated for credit impact and disclosed to the owner to maintain contract compliance.
DBIA Executing Design-Build Projects 3
What does 'fast-tracking' mean in the context of design-build project execution?