What Is Integrated Project Delivery In Construction​?

We hear about Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) all the time. But what’s the big deal? In this blog, I’m going to discuss what IPD is and why its principles should be used whenever possible. What Is Integrated Project Delivery in Construction? IPD is a collaborative approach to delivering projects in construction. It involves a high level of integration, collaboration, and shared risk among key stakeholders, including the owner, designers, and contractors. The goal of IPD is to enhance communication, efficiency, and overall project success by fostering a unified team that works towards common objectives. So, when you think about IPD, remember integration. Think of an integrated team, design, location, systems, technology, and communication. We don’t want people working in different locations, batching work, and wasting time. We want an integrated team delivering the project with the same goals, not in the contractual “knife fight” typical of design-bid-build and other methods. Here are some key characteristics and principles of IPD:

1. Early Collaboration

Early collaboration begins right after contractor selection. The IPD method allows stakeholders—the owner, architects, engineers, contractors, key trade partners, and even end users—to co-locate and work together. This early collaboration ensures real-time feedback, better communication, and alignment toward the project’s stipulated goals.

2. Shared Risks and Rewards

In IPD, all parties share both the risks and rewards, fostering accountability and collaboration. The integrated form of agreement (IFOA) locks participants into a shared risk-reward model, encouraging joint decision-making that benefits the overall project rather than individual entities.

3. Joint Decision-Making

Because IPD fosters shared risks and rewards, joint decision-making is a natural part of the process. Instead of a “knife fight” seen in traditional methods, stakeholders make decisions together for the project’s greater good.

4. Multi-Party Agreements

Typically, IPD operates under a multi-party agreement, often a tri-party agreement. This collaborative framework defines the responsibilities of all parties and aligns their interests for the project’s success.

5. Open Communication

Open, transparent communication is key in IPD. Teams are co-located, participating in regular workshops, meetings, and information-sharing events to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

6. Integrated Technology

Technology plays a vital role in IPD environments. Teams use shared information platforms and focus on virtual design and construction efforts, centered around the Building Information Model (BIM). This technology enables better collaboration, faster decision-making, and improved efficiency.

7. Lean Construction Principles

IPD often integrates Lean construction principles, including tax planning and Scrum, which are aligned with the clusters in the IPD framework. Real-time data sharing keeps teams updated and fosters quick decision-making to keep the project on track.

8. Early Goal Definition

In an IPD environment, all stakeholders are aligned with the overall project goals. This goal alignment ensures that everyone is working toward the same objectives, increasing the chances of success.

9. Flexibility and Adaptability

A flexible team with fixed goals is key to success in IPD. The flexibility allows teams to adjust their methods and approaches to meet shared objectives without conflict.

10. Focusing on Life Cycle Costs

IPD is one of the few contract delivery methods that emphasizes life cycle costs and the experience of end users. By involving facility managers, directors, and end users early in the process, IPD ensures that the project meets their needs while keeping costs manageable. The Power of Integrated Project Delivery Ultimately, IPD’s success comes down to integration. Integration of people, systems, communication, and goals. This approach helps teams eliminate delays, miscommunication, and conflicts often present in traditional project delivery methods. If you get the chance to work on an IPD project, I highly recommend it. IPD allows teams to overcome challenges and deliver exceptional results.