What is Integrated Project Delivery?

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is a powerful strategy for construction project management, as it allows for collaboration and effective decision-making across the entire project delivery team. Unlike conventional top-down approaches where one person or team dictates instructions to the rest of the group, IPD means involving every part of your team in the decision-making process for as many decisions as possible.

In this article, we’ll compare and contrast conventional project management strategies with IPD to explain what it is and how you can use it to get the best results out of your project.

“Integrated,” not Totally Inclusive

Comparing and considering input from a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds is one of the primary benefits of IPD, but that doesn’t mean you need to consult with everyone involved.

Of course, it’s generally a good idea to involve everyone as much as possible so that everyone feels like a team and understands what’s expected of them. But seeking the input of every labourer and operator who will be involved in the project isn’t necessary or helpful, and depending on the size of your team, it may not even be feasible.

In a conventional approach, the client or owner brings the vision to an architect or designer, who then hands the specific, detailed plan down to the project manager, who then delegates responsibilities and funding to builders, procurement, and contractors.

Integrated Project Delivery, on the other hand, brings the builder, the contractor, the architect, the manager, the owner/client, investors, specialized technicians, and anyone else relevant to the project with a unique perspective into the decision-making and planning process. The important part is to make sure that every perspective is represented, not that every single worker is.

Why Integrate?

Integrated Project Delivery brings together all the key stakeholders of a construction project to form a truly unified team. Through IPD, everyone involved in the process has the opportunity to collaborate and provide input on key decisions, which can then be weighed against other perspectives.

This means that Construction Managers and Owners/Clients have greater confidence that the decisions they make are informed, well-considered and supported by the entire team. The result is a more efficient project timeline, improved cost control through proactive decision-making, and an overall better quality of workmanship.

By integrating the builders as well as the conventional decision-makers in the planning process, IPD also helps to weed out flaws in the plan before they can develop into real problems. Continually cultivating this culture of open communication and feedback within your project team ensures that unforeseen problems that develop during delivery will be pointed out earlier, discussed more openly, and solved more quickly.

What Does IPD Cost?

By improving team cohesion and decision-making, IPD cuts cost by better predicting problems before they arise, minimizing overspending and delays. And the only thing it costs to adopt is the extra time and consideration it takes to adopt new ways of thinking about and interacting with your project and your team. As the saying goes: “work smarter, not harder.”

At Bilt, we strive to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to project management. We know that integrating IPD into our construction and consulting practices is the best way to maximize quality, improve team cohesion and ensure cost control. That’s why we believe in a Lean Construction approach, combining IPD with other project management strategies to ensure projects are completed efficiently, on time and within budget.

If you’re looking for a construction management or consulting firm that can help you get the best results out of your project, contact us today to speak with one of our construction specialists or to see the full details of some of our past projects.