Project Delivery Method Performance for Public School Construction: Design-Bid-Build versus CM at Risk

The construction of public schools is a complex endeavor due to the involvement of multiple and diverse parties, funding and budgetary concerns, and statutory limitations imposed by local, state, and federal agencies, all of which serve to increase project risk. Project delivery methods using distinctive procedures to manage the design and construction process have been developed to reduce risk and improve project performance. To increase the probability of successful project outcomes, those responsible for public school construction require conclusive delivery method performance data. Completed in 2014, this two-year study used actual construction documents from 137 southeastern public schools to analyze and determine project delivery method cost, time, quality, and claims performance. The analysis indicated that performance of the Design-Bid-Build (DBB) method was significantly superior across all cost metrics, whereas the Construction Manager at Risk (CM at Risk) method produced higher levels of product and service quality. Essentially, public school administrators were paying a significant premium to obtain perceived improvements in both service and product quality. This research empowers decision-makers and benefits the public by providing evidence of the most efficient and effective means for the construction of new public schools.