Design-Build Institute releases primer for Progressive Design-Build projects

The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) recently released “Progressive Design-Build Done Right: Progressive Design-Build Best Practices” primer.

The document provides guidance for owners and practitioners using Progressive Design-Build (PDB). PDB now represents roughly one-third of all design-build procurements, according to FMI’s 2024 Design-Build Utilization Study. 

As design-build is projected to reach 47% of U.S. construction spending and exceed $1 trillion by 2028, PDB’s share continues to expand on projects facing technical complexity, cost volatility, and evolving scope, according to a DBIA news release. While grounded in the same collaborative principles, PDB introduces distinct procurement, contracting, and execution dynamics that require greater specificity. 

The primer addresses those distinctions, offering targeted guidance on owner readiness, qualifications-focused procurement, phased contracting structures, and transparent cost development.