INSIGHTS new trends, new techniques and current industry issues Staying within the “Circle of Trust” on DB/IPD/EBD Projects The Key to Success By Joseph Rietman, CPC re you being asked to participate in subcontractors altered their approaches and a fast-tracked project? Do you want price proposals to make them acceptable to Definitions to get the best results? There are all parties. This was an exciting and exhaust- success factors that have been ing undertaking, but one in which constant (Wikipedia, February 2016) proven on many projects, large and small, questioning of ideas and team members was A Design-Build (DB) is a project delivery including some “mega” projects, across indus- necessary. This approach must be in an atmo- system used in the construction industry. tries from healthcare to retail. One such system sphere of mutual respect if you are to build ® It is a method to deliver a project in which works on programs you may be familiar with, a circle of trust environment. the design and construction services are such as Design-Build (DB), Integrated Project What’s the point? Well, it is critically contracted by a single entity known as the Delivery (IPD), and Evidence-Based Design important to the success of all delivery design-builder or design-build contractor. (EBD). The key is building your own circle types, be it DB, IPD or EBD, that the team of trust. can rely on each other, and recognize that Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is a It has been proven time and time again that it is worth theCopyright time and considerable effort collaborative alliance of people, systems, the team needs to start with a clear under- to discuss and dissect early design assump- business structures and practices into a pro- standing of the owner’s project requirements tions, the various design schemes, and the cess that harnesses the talents and insights of and project limits. This is the information that ramifications of decisions to the designers all participants to optimize project results, the design-build leader (typically the general as well as the subcontractors. Think of it increase value to the owner, reduce waste, contractor) and his team of experts, includ- as operating a circle of trust. Putting your and maximize efficiency through all phases ing the structural engineer, uses to remove own self-interest in front of the team goals of design, fabrication, and construction. roadblocks in the design – before they get or not showing mutual respect are easy ways Evidence-Based Design (EBD) is a field integrated into the design and make their to exit the circle of trust. As the line in of study emphasizing credible evidence to way to the field. This analysis process is the the movie, Meet the Parents, aptly states, influence design. This approach has become phase when overall project costs can be low- “once you’re out of the circle of trust you popular in healthcare to improve patient ered significantly, where potential obstacles can’tmagazine get back in.” For example, on a past and staff well-being, patient healing, stress are overcome and opportunitiesS exploited.T Rproject, theU team hadC to be shieldedT fromU R E reduction and safety. Evidence-based design Applied correctly, the team can turn a project one of its members who offered no value, is a relatively new field, borrowing termi- that might have otherwise hit minimum yield was “shady” in his dealings, and in turn nology and ideas from disciplines such as requirements into an uber success. But it all warranted no respect. Watch out for these environmental psychology, architecture, starts with the circle of trust. types of individual glory seekers, as they neuroscience and behavioral economics. In one case, at the programming stage on a will sink the best high performing teams recent mega project, armed with the owner’s in no time. project requirements, the design-build leader If done correctly, the design-build leader, Despite common beliefs to the contrary, analyzed the risks to the project by leverag- working within the circle of trust, will be the “low” price is not always the “best” price. ing the knowledge and skills of his team of able to bid the structural package as early as Knowledgeable owners request best value pric- master builders, structural engineers, and the 100% schematic design stage. This may ing from their master builders, rather than industry trade partners (the sub-contrac- seem very early to most structural engineers low bids, whenever possible. The structural tors). The team found that the construction who think of fast-tracked in terms of an engineer should be an integral part of the team of the structural podium would be on the early foundation package, but it is the key developing a best value bid package. Some critical path no matter how the pours were to getting the worked started early and on of the most important items that drive the sequenced. The team relied on the expertise a fast pace. Obviously, changes will need scoring of best value pricing are the logistics of the structural engineer, but also encour- to be made and the structural design will of building in confined spaces and finding a aged frank discussions between the structural be revised as the designs of the other dis- cost effective method to keep materials flow- engineer and the trade subcontractors to ciplines are advanced, but it is worth the ing into the site without double handling. As find the best overall solution. Instead of just additional cost to the design-builder and part of the process, the structural engineer will saying “no” to a proposed idea or alternative, owner. As the structural engineer, expect be asked to quickly evaluate and comment on which is a common reflexive reaction, the to be engaged in this bidding process. The traditional means-and-methods issues. These structural engineer respectfully considered structural engineer brings to the table the can include the permissible loads on decks for the alternative proposals and provided clear continued understanding of the engineered material storage, the locations of construction reasoning as to why the proposal would or limits of the design and his/her invaluable joints, the time until delay strips can be cast would not be acceptable. Once the reasoning experiences with the various bidders on and so on, to validate the bidders approach as and underlying principles of the structural past projects. The circle of trust amongst they move closer to the best value bid submis- engineer’s objections were understood, the the team is vital to project success. sion. Therefore, during the preparation and STRUCTURE magazine46 May 2016 evaluation of the best value written proposals, trusting the contractors to meet the intent to build a circle of trust with your other team and oral presentations, the structural engineer of the drawings, and the contractors trusting members. Believe in the other members, and has an important seat at the table as the owner the structural engineer to respond to RFI’s they will believe in you.▪ scores all written and oral responses that ulti- and field issues in an expeditious manner. mately end in an award. You see, not only From project pursuit to programming, Joseph Rietman is President and CEO are the schedule, manpower, material, and through design and on-boarding, and of vScenario, a full service Construction equipment procurement important aspects of throughout construction, the structural Management Firm. He is currently President the project, none of these are as important as engineer can be an invaluable member of the of the American Institute of Constructors, having a high performing team that has the team. If the engineer communicates clearly, a Member of the Building Commissioning ability to communicate freely with each other is professional and open in dealing with team Association and on the Board of Governors with full confidence and trust. members, and brings expertise and a can-do for the Constructor Certification Pulling the best value structural sub-con- attitude to the team, he will stay within the Commission. Joseph can be reached at tractors into the circle of trust is a must next circle of trust. Bottom line, spend the time [email protected]. step, called on-boarding. The teaming of the structural engineer and the sub- contractors only grows as the design is ® completed and the project team is able to reap the rewards of the early decision making, optimization, and budget sta- bilization. The team is also at a critical stage of the project development, allowing for the last true opportunity to influence Copyright cost savings through value engineering or alternate means and methods. During this on-boarding stage, the team relies equally on the structural engineer and the structural sub-contractors. The structural sub-contractor is asked to assist the struc- tural engineer in the development of the project documents by providing detailed constructability reviews of the DDs and Advertiser ADVERTISEMENT–For Information, visit CDs, taking into account quantity and quality of materials to ensure an efficient magazineWHEN THERE’S A design application. ThroughS this method,T R U C T U R E the subcontractor initiates design deci- SOFT-STORY PROBLEM sions by providing information, estimates, THERE’S A FAST AND SIMPLE schemes, and recommendations regarding ® construction materials, methods, systems, HARDY FRAME phasing, and costs that provide the high- SOLUTION. est quality building within the budget www.STRUCTUREmag.org and schedule. The structural engineer really ought to embrace this aspect of the process, as a “good” design can be transformed into a “great” design using the input and experiences of qualified and trusted partners. What engineer wouldn’t When space is at a premium, The Hardy like to eliminate most of the construction Frame Special Moment Frame turn-key phase RFIs at this point in the project? system off ers more fl exible solutions for The project is not out of the woods soft-story applications than any other moment frame on the market.