The Importance of Integrated Project Delivery

As a construction company, Gateway Building understands the challenge of delivering efficient, cost-effective, and timely projects in North Carolina. Traditional project delivery methods can fall short with the growing complexity of construction projects. But there’s a solution – Integrated Project Delivery (IPD).

This innovative approach is changing the game for construction management, and Gateway Building Company is at the forefront of this revolution. By embracing IPD, we can offer a more streamlined and cost-effective solution for even the largest, most complex projects.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the world of IPD and explore why it’s quickly becoming the go-to method for delivering successful construction projects. We’ll also delve into how utilizing IPD plays a critical role in construction management and brings more efficiency to every project.

What is Integrated Project Delivery?

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is a collaborative approach that Gateway has embraced to boost project results, reduce waste, maximize efficiency, and increase value to the project owner. This approach integrates teams, business structures, systems, and practices into a process that employs the talents and insights of all participants. It cuts across all project phases, including design, fabrication, and construction.

With an IPD project team, it is easier to organize construction projects since all project stakeholders are involved in each stage of the construction process. Typically, an IPD model develops multi-party agreements between participants, where everyone involved is contractually required to fulfill the project.

Key Components of IPD

Integrated project delivery can take several forms depending on the project. However, most IPD approaches incorporate three key components, which include the multi-party contract. This component involves various parties creating a contract for the project, consisting of the owner, primary designer, and primary builder. 

Implementing lean concepts, tools, and practices is another critical IPD component, focusing on the initial design, plan, and the tools required to facilitate the entire project. Finally, another essential part is creating a collaborative culture, which includes creating all participants for a successful project.

Construction building being built.

Benefits of Integrated Project Delivery

Integrated project delivery mainly encourages all participants in the project by ensuring they understand their duties and responsibilities for its success. Some of the key benefits of IPD over other project delivery methods include the following:

Increased Productivity

IPD focuses on collaboration that ensures everyone provides their input and generates the most desirable project designs and roadmaps. In addition, it eliminates the extensive waiting time between construction phases, enhancing productivity. This is because every team understands its role from the start to project completion.

Better Communication

Since all stakeholders in an IPD project are liable for its success or failure, the method accompanies clean and open communication before the project begins. As a result, it allows for more communication between different teams and parties involved in the project. IPD also encourages regular cross-team check-ins, preventing lapses from emerging due to communication ambiguities.

Quality is Rewarded

All participants in an IPD project know their duties and responsibilities and tend to perform better than traditional project delivery methods. The method also recognizes quality inputs and rewards each team based on their contributions. This effectively encourages all participants, motivating them to give their best for the project’s success.

Reduced Project Costs

IPD allows all participants to work towards achieving a single goal while sharing critical information ideal for the success of the project. Moreover, the method eliminates change orders and RFIs that often drive project costs and slow schedules. Hence, the IPD approach prevents conflicting agendas and hidden costs, saving high costs in any construction project.

When Should One Consider Utilizing an IPD Contracting Model?

While a construction project delivery method affects the project’s result, project owners should select a suitable project delivery method. The integrated project delivery method is often perfect for complex projects that compel all participants to realize their roles. That said, IPD is suited for projects with the following characteristics:

  • Complex construction requires high-tech multi-trade coordination, like manufacturing plants and infrastructure projects.
  • Project participants possess adequate human resources to address and resolve emerging issues.
  • Projects that demand broad use of data-sharing platforms like PMIS or BIM.
  • All participants must trust each other and be ready to work together.

Decrease Risks with IPD

Integrated project delivery is an effective and efficient method for modern construction companies. When looking to mitigate risks associated with construction projects, IPD is the best choice for owners looking to compromise a bit of their profit share. At Gateway Building Company, we can help you get started with integrated project delivery for all your construction projects.

As a locally owned commercial builder in the North Carolina Triangle, we have a dedicated team experienced in all facets of construction, from pre-construction planning to commercial general contracting services. Request a meeting with us for an initial consultation about your project, budget, and vision.

Image Credit: Gorodenkoff/Engineer studio/Shutterstock

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