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AIA California Council issues a working definition of "Integrated Project Delivery"

May 29, 2007  |  from Infrastructure & Public Works Blog

At the AIA National Convention in San Antonio on May 2, the AIA California Council issued an intriguing working definition of "Integrated Project Delivery."  The goal of Integrated Project Delivery is to approach construction projects in a more collaborative way, taking advantage of technological tools such as Building Information Modeling.  Click here to view the document published by the AIACC. 

Integrated Project Delivery calls for earlier and on-going cooperation among all stakeholders on a construction project, including the owner, architect, contractor, subcontractors, suppliers, equipment manufacturers, system integrators and lenders.  One key of the Integrated Project Delivery is creating compensation structures that rewards "best for project" behavior.  Here is the working definition of  "Integrated Project Delivery," which will be elaborated on in later phases of the document:

Integrated Project Delivery ("IPD") is a project delivery approach that integrates people, systems, business structures and practices into a process that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to reduce waste and optimize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication and construction.

IPD principles can be applied to a variety of contractual arrangements and IPD teams will usually include members well beyond the basic triad of owner, architect and contractor.  At a minimum though, an Integrated Project includes tight collaboration between the owner, the architect, and the general contractor ultimately responsible for the construction of the project, from early design through project handover.

The collaborative approach of IPD is both groundbreaking and laudable.  It will be interesting to see how soon this approach might be utilitized.

Filed: Project-Delivery