0 or 3 credits
Spring 2026 Lecture Distance Learning Upper Division
This course presents traditional project delivery methods and contrasts them with design-build project delivery. The course focuses on the principles, tools, and procedures used in the design-build project delivery method. It provides students with sufficient education to become certified (following additional examination) by the Design Build Institute of America as an Associate Member and dependent on employment experience, a full Member. Traditional project delivery methods, Design-Bid-Build, Construction Manager as Agent, `Fast Track', and other `rip and read' methods are losing popularity to project delivery methods that take a more collaborative approach. Collaboration requires a different way of thinking about a capital construction project and working with others in project delivery. Constructors must move from a transactional, arms-length relationship where the project is viewed as a low-price commodity to a full-suite delivery of services resulting in a high-value product. This requires collaboration with the Owner and other members of the project delivery process, something that has been missing from traditional project delivery methods. Active student participation is required. Student participation will be facilitated through assigned presentations, in-class projects, field trips to local projects, and guest lectures. Students who complete the course and achieve DBIA's minimum requirements (Fundamentals of Project Delivery, Principles of Design-Building Project Delivery, Post Award, and Contracts & Risk Management) will be eligible for recognition by DBIA.
Learning Outcomes1Describe the attributes of all major project delivery methods, procurement methodologies, and contracting approaches.
2Identify the appropriate project delivery method based on owner requirements.
3Evaluate the attributes of design-build project delivery.
4Assess the critical elements of the request for qualifications/request for proposals (RFQ/RFP) process and overall project management for design-build projects.
5Understand the risk management and contract implications of a design-build project versus other project delivery methods.
6Apply the attributes learned in this course to case studies.
7Be prepared to be a meaningful participant on a real design-build project.
Prerequisites
made by Purdue students.