By 2028, design-build is projected to account for nearly half of all U.S. construction spending, continuing its expansion across nearly every major market sector. As Owners increasingly turn to collaborative delivery models to manage complexity and improve project outcomes, many are also seeking experienced professionals who can help advance organizational capability, improve process confidence and maturity, and ultimately create success for the Owner. In many cases, that role belongs to the Owner Advisor.
An effective Owner Advisor does more than monitor schedules or coordinate meetings. The role requires someone who can keep teams aligned when priorities shift, help Owners navigate difficult decisions and maintain focus on the larger goals of the project as delivery moves forward.
Architects are already doing pieces of this work, just not always under the title of Owner Advisor. Architects spend their careers helping Owners move from broad goals to real project decisions while balancing design intent, budget pressures, constructability and long-term project outcomes. In collaborative delivery environments, those skills become even more valuable.
Those skills are becoming increasingly important as more Owners adopt design-build and collaborative delivery methods. A study from the Construction Industry Institute and the Charles Pankow Foundation found that design-build projects were delivered 102% faster than design-bid-build projects and 61% faster than CMAR projects while also demonstrating stronger cost and schedule reliability.
The research also found that successful design-build projects tend to share several common traits. They bring teams together early, communicate clearly and create an environment where collaboration and trust can take hold. Conversely, poor communication and limited experience with collaborative delivery were recurring challenges among less successful projects.
Recent FMI research reinforces those findings. Interviewees identified collaboration and early stakeholder involvement as critical components of successful design-build delivery and noted that many Owners benefit from advisors who can help guide them through unfamiliar procurement and delivery processes.
As collaborative delivery methods continue to grow, architects interested in Owner Advisor roles may need to expand their expertise in areas such as procurement strategy, collaborative risk management, stakeholder facilitation and design-build best practices.
DBIA has developed several resources specifically focused on the Owner Advisor role, including:
- The Role of the Owner Advisor in Design-Build Primer
- Owner Readiness Assessment
- DBIA 501, the organization’s standard form of contract for design-build Owner Advisor services.
- Educational course on The Role of the Design-Build Done Right Owner Advisor® (in person and virtual options)
Together with DBIA’s broader Design-Build Done Right® educational resources, these tools can help architects better understand how collaborative delivery projects are structured and managed.
As collaborative delivery continues to expand, architects have an opportunity to play a larger role in guiding project teams, shaping outcomes and leading beyond the boundaries of traditional design responsibilities.
