What is the focus of the design-bid-build delivery method?

The design-bid-build delivery method centers around the concept of completing the design phase before any construction begins. This traditional approach involves a sequential process where the project’s design is finalized by the architect or designer, followed by a bidding period during which contractors submit proposals based on the completed design. Once a contractor is selected, construction can commence.

This focus on a distinct separation between design and construction phases allows stakeholders to have a comprehensive understanding of the project’s scope, budget, and timeline before any actual building work takes place. This method can result in clearer expectations regarding the project’s specifications and can help manage risks, although it may lead to longer project timelines compared to other methods that allow overlapping of design and construction activities.

In contrast, the other options refer to approaches that incorporate different levels of overlap between design and construction or management strategies that do not align with the fundamental characteristics of the design-bid-build method. For instance, fast tracking involves simultaneous phases, while outsourcing project management encompasses a different aspect of project delivery unrelated to the design and construction sequence prominently featured in design-bid-build.