Integrated Project Delivery
Encyclopedia
Integrated project delivery (IPD), is a collaborative alliance of people, systems, business structures and practices into a process that harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to optimize project results, increase value to the owner, reduce waste, and maximize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication, and construction.
There are eight main sequential phases to the integrated project delivery method:
, and architect
. Using ideas developed by Toyota in their Toyota Production System
and computer technology advances, the integrated project delivery method is designed to solve these key construction problems. The new focus in IPD is the final value created for the owner, the finished building. Rather than each participant focusing exclusively on their part of construction without considering the implications on the whole process, the IPD method brings all participants together early with collaborative incentives to maximize value for the owner. This collaborative approach allows informed decision making early in the project where the most value can be created. The close collaboration eliminates a great deal of waste in the design, and allows data sharing directly between the design and construction team eliminating a large barrier to increased productivity in construction.
The first working definition of IPD was established in May 2007 by the AIA California Council Integrated Project Delivery Task Force comprising representatives of owners, architects, contractors, engineers and lawyers: UCSF Medical Center
, Hanson Bridgett LLP, ACCO Engineered Systems, Rutherford & Chekene
, Webcor Builders
, Mcgraw-Hill Construction, Alternative Delivery Solutions LLC, Onuma Inc., Anshen & Allen
, American Institute of Architects
California Council, DCA Architecture Construction, WLC Architects, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
, Flewelling & Moody Architects, MCG Architects, Michael Hricak & Associates.
IPD combines ideas from integrated practice and lean construction
to solve several problems in contemporary construction such as low productivity and waste, time overruns, quality issues, and conflicts during construction among the key stakeholders of owner, architect and contractor. The growing use of building information modeling
in the construction industry is allowing far greater information collaboration between project participants using IPD and considered an important tool to increasing productivity throughout the construction process.
Unlike the design–build project delivery method which places the contractor in the leading role on a building project, IPD represents a return to the "master builder" concept where the entire building team including the owner, architect
, general contractor
, building engineers, fabricators, and subcontractor
s work collaboratively throughout the construction
process.
projects presents its own problems. As most construction projects involve disparate stakeholders, traditional IT solutions are not conducive to collaborative working. Sharing files behind IT firewalls
, large email attachment sizes and the ability to view all manner of file types without the native software all make IPD difficult.
The need to overcome collaborative IT challenges has been one of the drivers behind the growth of online construction collaboration technology
. Since 2000, a new generation of technology companies evolved using SaaS
to facilitate IPD in a smooth and efficient manner.
This collaboration software streamlines the flow of documentation, communications and workflows ensuring everyone is working from 'one version of the truth'. Collaboration software allows users from disparate locations to keep all communications, documents & drawings, forms and data, amongst other types of electronic file, in one place. Version control is assured and users are able to view and mark up files online without the need for native software. The technology also enables project confidence and mitigates risk thanks to inbuilt audit trails.
There are eight main sequential phases to the integrated project delivery method:
- conceptualization phase [expanded programming]
- criteria design phase [expanded schematic design]
- detailed design phase [expanded design development]
- implementation documents phase [construction documents]
- agency review phase
- buyout phase
- construction phase
- closeout phase
- facilities management
Background
The construction industry has suffered from a productivity decline since the 1960s while all other non-farm industries have seen large boosts in productivity. The problems in contemporary construction include buildings that are behind schedule and over budget as well as adverse relations among the owner, general contractorGeneral contractor
A general contractor is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and communication of information to involved parties throughout the course of a building project.-Description:...
, and architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. Using ideas developed by Toyota in their Toyota Production System
Toyota Production System
The Toyota Production System is an integrated socio-technical system, developed by Toyota, that comprises its management philosophy and practices. The TPS organizes manufacturing and logistics for the automobile manufacturer, including interaction with suppliers and customers...
and computer technology advances, the integrated project delivery method is designed to solve these key construction problems. The new focus in IPD is the final value created for the owner, the finished building. Rather than each participant focusing exclusively on their part of construction without considering the implications on the whole process, the IPD method brings all participants together early with collaborative incentives to maximize value for the owner. This collaborative approach allows informed decision making early in the project where the most value can be created. The close collaboration eliminates a great deal of waste in the design, and allows data sharing directly between the design and construction team eliminating a large barrier to increased productivity in construction.
History
Integrated project delivery is a delivery system that seeks to align interests, objectives and practices, even in a single business, through a team-based approach. The team primary Team Members would include the Architect, key technical consultants as well as a general contractor and key subcontractors. The IPD system is a process where all disciplines in a construction project work as one firm, creating faster delivery times, lower costs, no litigation and a more enjoyable process for the entire team – including the owner.The first working definition of IPD was established in May 2007 by the AIA California Council Integrated Project Delivery Task Force comprising representatives of owners, architects, contractors, engineers and lawyers: UCSF Medical Center
UCSF Medical Center
The University of California, San Francisco Medical Center is a world renowned hospital in research and a teaching hospital in San Francisco, California. It is one of the leading hospitals in the United States and with the UCSF School of Medicine has been the site of various breakthroughs in all...
, Hanson Bridgett LLP, ACCO Engineered Systems, Rutherford & Chekene
Rutherford & Chekene
Rutherford & Chekene is a structural and geotechnical engineering firm in California specializing in new design and retrofit of structures for clients in healthcare, higher education, research and development, art and education, and technology....
, Webcor Builders
Webcor Builders
Webcor Builders is a commercial construction contractor with headquarters in San Francisco, California. The firm also has regional offices in San Mateo, California, Alameda, California, Los Angeles, and San Diego, and is among the largest builders in California with clients including Starwood...
, Mcgraw-Hill Construction, Alternative Delivery Solutions LLC, Onuma Inc., Anshen & Allen
Anshen & Allen
Anshen + Allen is an international architecture, planning and design firm headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Boston, Columbus and London. The firm was ranked eighth for sustainable practices, and nineteenth overall in the "Architect 50" published by Architect magazine...
, American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
California Council, DCA Architecture Construction, WLC Architects, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP is an American architectural and engineering firm that was formed in Chicago in 1936 by Louis Skidmore and Nathaniel Owings; in 1939 they were joined by John O. Merrill. They opened their first branch in New York City, New York in 1937. SOM is one of the largest...
, Flewelling & Moody Architects, MCG Architects, Michael Hricak & Associates.
IPD combines ideas from integrated practice and lean construction
Lean construction
Lean Construction is a combination of original research and development in design and construction with an adaption of lean manufacturing principles and practices to the end-to-end design and construction process. Unlike manufacturing, construction is a project based-production process...
to solve several problems in contemporary construction such as low productivity and waste, time overruns, quality issues, and conflicts during construction among the key stakeholders of owner, architect and contractor. The growing use of building information modeling
Building Information Modeling
Building information modeling is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle.BIM involves representing a design as objects – vague and undefined, generic or product-specific, solid shapes or void-space oriented , that carry their geometry, relations and attributes...
in the construction industry is allowing far greater information collaboration between project participants using IPD and considered an important tool to increasing productivity throughout the construction process.
Unlike the design–build project delivery method which places the contractor in the leading role on a building project, IPD represents a return to the "master builder" concept where the entire building team including the owner, architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, general contractor
General contractor
A general contractor is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and communication of information to involved parties throughout the course of a building project.-Description:...
, building engineers, fabricators, and subcontractor
Subcontractor
A subcontractor is an individual or in many cases a business that signs a contract to perform part or all of the obligations of another's contract....
s work collaboratively throughout the construction
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
process.
The role of technology in IPD
The adoption of IPD as a standard for collaborative good practice on constructionConstruction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
projects presents its own problems. As most construction projects involve disparate stakeholders, traditional IT solutions are not conducive to collaborative working. Sharing files behind IT firewalls
Firewall (computing)
A firewall is a device or set of devices designed to permit or deny network transmissions based upon a set of rules and is frequently used to protect networks from unauthorized access while permitting legitimate communications to pass....
, large email attachment sizes and the ability to view all manner of file types without the native software all make IPD difficult.
The need to overcome collaborative IT challenges has been one of the drivers behind the growth of online construction collaboration technology
Construction collaboration technology
Construction collaboration technology refers to software applications used to enable effective sharing of project-related information between geographically dispersed members of a construction project team, often through use of a web-based Software as a service platform.-History:The terms...
. Since 2000, a new generation of technology companies evolved using SaaS
Saas
SAAS is an abbreviation for* Social Accountability Accreditation Services* Software as a service * Student Awards Agency for Scotland* Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences* South Australian Ambulance Service...
to facilitate IPD in a smooth and efficient manner.
This collaboration software streamlines the flow of documentation, communications and workflows ensuring everyone is working from 'one version of the truth'. Collaboration software allows users from disparate locations to keep all communications, documents & drawings, forms and data, amongst other types of electronic file, in one place. Version control is assured and users are able to view and mark up files online without the need for native software. The technology also enables project confidence and mitigates risk thanks to inbuilt audit trails.
Selected articles on integrated project delivery
- Integrated Project Delivery: A Platform for Efficient Construction BuildingGreen, November 1, 2008
- Another look: Is IPD the solution? Daily Journal of Commerce, Oct. 20, 2008
- Just a month old, the BIM Addendum has won national endorsements Philadelphia Business Journal, Aug. 21, 2008
- Is integrated project design the solution? Daily Journal of Commerce, Aug. 15, 2008
- Integrated Project Delivery Improves Efficiency, Streamlines Construction – Lean Management Approach Eliminates Waste and Enhances Project Outcome – Tradeline, July 16, 2008
- Red Business, Blue Business: If architects do not take the leadership role on integrated practice, they will cede this turf DesignIntelligence, May 30, 2008
- AIA: American Institute of Architects delivers new contract documents to encourage Integrated Project Delivery architosh, May 21, 2008
- AIA Introduces Integrated Project Delivery Agreements Contract Magazine, April 28, 2008
- Integrated Project Delivery pulls together people, systems, business structures and practices Daily Commercial News and Construction Record, Mar. 12, 2008
- New Colorado Law Permits IPD For State and Local Governments – Colorado Real Estate Journal, February 5, 2008
- Changing Project Delivery Strategy – An Implementation Framework Journal of Public Works Management & Policy, Jan. 2008; vol. 12: pp. 483–502
- AIA and AIA California Council Partner Introduce Integrated Project Delivery: A Guide Cadalyst, Nov. 6, 2007
- The Integrated Agreement for Lean Project Delivery Construction Lawyer, American Bar Association, McDonough Holland & Allen PC, Number 3, Volume 26, Summer 2006
- Managing Integrated Project Delivery CMAA College of Fellows, November 2009
External links
- Governor Ritter Signs Integrated Project Delivery Bill into Colorado Law
- Integrated Project Delivery: First Principles for Owners and Teams – 3xPT Strategy Group, July 7, 2008: Construction Users Roundtable (CURT), Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), American Institute of ArchitectsAmerican Institute of ArchitectsThe American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
- National Institute of Building Sciences – many related articles on Integrated Project Delivery, Building Information ModelingBuilding Information ModelingBuilding information modeling is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle.BIM involves representing a design as objects – vague and undefined, generic or product-specific, solid shapes or void-space oriented , that carry their geometry, relations and attributes...
- Design Responsibility in Integrated Project Delivery: Looking Back and Moving Forward – Donovan/Hatem LLP, Jan. 2008
- HOUSE BILL 07-1342 Colorado State Government, June 1, 2007