DBIA has recently unveiled a new position statement emphasizing the critical importance of maximizing the use of performance-based requirements to successfully deliver design-build outcomes. The statement, “Prescriptive Design and the Use of Bridging Documents,” is available to download for free in the DBIA Bookstore, serving as a foundational guide for design-build Owners and practitioners.
This position aligns with DBIA Design-Build Done Right® best practices that urge Owners to limit their reliance on prescriptive requirements and bridging documents. Using extensive prescriptive design and bridging documents eliminates many of the advantages inherent in design-build delivery, including the design-build team’s ability to meet or exceed the Owner’s needs through innovation and creativity.
DBIA releases position statements only for practices that, if implemented, significantly enhance the chances of overall success for the project and the team. Clarifying a stance on prescriptive design and the use of bridging documents meets that criteria in several ways:
- Growing Prevalence of Design-Build: With research continuing to show design-build’s increased traction across the industry, strengthening best practices is critical to its continued success.
- Industry Evolution: The overall evolution in the AEC industry necessitates a reiteration of crucial design-build principles.
- Research-Backed Best Practices: Ample research supports the effectiveness of Design-Build Done Right® Best Practices, regardless of the project type, size, sector or location.
As the industry evolves, these principles remain fundamental for achieving excellence in design-build projects.
