Top 5 Takeaways from the Design-Build Webinar
Aligning technology and project delivery methods can improve the build environment.
Here are our top 5 takeaways from our Design-Build webinar, which is also available for on-demand viewing here.
1 – Digital Workflows are Important
Digital workflows automate paper-based processes, such as daily work reports, and allow your team to focus on important work. LADOTD’s use of Fieldbook allows inspectors to create Daily Work Reports at the click of a button. This has saved their 500 inspectors statewide up to 2 hours per day.
2 – Easy Remote Collaboration is Essential
Inspectors are often responsible for several ongoing projects at various points in the construction process and covering a large geographical area. The ability to have a real-time view into ongoing projects not only allows them to stay current on each project’s status, it also allows them to resolve issues as they arise. This remote collaboration helps to prevent costly project delays and empowers teams.
3 – Technology Needs to be Flexible
Most legacy systems are inflexible and dependent on the idea of tracking placed quantities and bid items. Traditional systems are unable to handle tracking projects by schedule items, activity codes, or work packages, which are essential pieces necessary within Design-Build. The trick is providing one system flexible enough to capture real-time inspection and verification data for all project types. Fieldbook has the built-in flexibility to dynamically change the categories by which the data is classified and can meet the needs of design-bid-build, design-build, CM/GC, and any other alternative delivery types that may be of use in the future.
4 – Relational Culture of Design-Build Encourages more Diversity
According to a report from the Design-Build Institute of America, the Design-Build method encourages greater participation from Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. “Because of the collaborative nature of the design-build process, we are helping these smaller firms achieve greater success than they would be able to otherwise.”
5 – Collaboration or Claims
Brian Skripac spoke about the collaborative nature of design-build, and how having a single contract fosters strong, trusting relationships. Both construction and design teams work together, providing the project owner with unified recommendations for building methodologies and materials. The culture of collaboration reduces blame-shifting leading to more positive outcomes, better constructability, and fewer claims.
