<![CDATA[<P>The Military Engineer l No. 66265
Bridging the Oversight Gap
By Tracy Rookard-Everett
An effective cost engineering
and controls system is critical
to overcoming potential
disadvantages of the design-
build delivery method.
D
esign-build can formally be de-
?ned as the process by which a
projects design and construc-
tion are contracted to a single contrac-
tor; however, when experiencing time
and ?nancial constraints, proponents
may describe it as the project delivery
method causing the least headache. In
the last 15 years, the actual or desired
advantages cited by project owners
have fueled the growing popularity of
this process. In reality, contractors of-
fering turnkey solutions and liability
assumption are too tempting for most
owners to resist.
Accountability is one of many ben-
e?cial aspects of design-build cited by
owners. From a legal and ?nancial per-
spective, the transference of liability to
contractors is an appealing concept.
Communication improves in a design-
build project, as exchanging informa-
tion with one source reduces the risk of
errors when making scope adjustments.
A reduction in schedule times also can
occur as a result of simultaneous execu-
tion of design and construction. Lastly,
the potential exists for reduced costs, as
a design-build team can negotiate costs
and offer the owner less expensive op-
tions.
However, for every enthusiastic
champion of design-build, an equally
ardent opponent can be found. The
standard key advantages cited by own-
ers have not been able to offset com-
pletely the documented risks associated
with this delivery method. For instance,
design-build can lead to a lack of design
oversight as owners relinquish design
control to the contractor. Design dis-
crepancies are realized post construc-
tion, and potentially signi?cant ?nan-
cial repercussions can occur as a result
of insuf?cient oversight by the owner.
At the same time, owners can experi-
ence expensive material replacement
or maintenance costs in the future due
to initial poor quality selections by the
contractor.
Additionally, the absence of oversight
can undermine the inherent checks and
balances between design and construc-
tion teams. When design and construc-
tion teams are combined, traditional in-
dependent, unbiased quality assurance
and quality control practices may be
compromised. Finally, scope changes
can result in cost increases and budget
overruns, particularly in projects lack-
ing design maturity.
Despite ones support or opposition
of design-build, a staunch reality looms:
A potentially hazardous oversight gap
exists between owners and contractors.
Upgrading the Design-Build Model
Although builders assume the major-
ity of liability in the design-build pro-
cess, owners, speci?cally those with ties
Design & Construction
Project stakeholders including the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers have incorporated cost
engineering teams to help minimize the risk of
overruns of cost and time.</p>
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