According to the 2024 Design-Build Utilization Study researched by FMI, a construction industry and investment consultant, the progressive design-build project delivery system now represents roughly 33% of all design-build procurements. And FMI projects that design-build will represent over 47% of US construction spending by 2028, with a growing percentage using progressive design-build contracts.
While grounded in the same collaborative principles as design-build, progressive design-build introduces distinct procurement, contracting, and execution dynamics that increases collaboration during the design process and provides project owners with greater participation and more certainty that the design-build project will meet the stated requirements and cost controls.
Although standard DBIA contract forms are generally the most used for large projects, the new standard documents published by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Contract Documents Committee, the Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC), and the ConsensusDocs coalition of construction associations promote the use of progressive design-build. These associations will help engender a larger percentage of progressive design-build procurements going forward.
To assist in the movement toward progressive design-build, the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) recently released, Progressive Design-Build Done Right: Progressive Design-Build Best Practices, a primer that provides guidance for project owners and practitioners. This and other free publications available through the DBIA website can provide the education and advice needed by design firms as they team with construction entities on progressive design-build projects. The DBIA website also is a source to access the FMI 2024 Design-Build Utilization Study.