Author: Julene D. May
Abstract:
Government agencies across Alaska use primarily one project delivery method (PDM), design-bid-build, to complete civil construction projects (roads, landfills, airports, etc.). The problem many agencies encounter is that the method does not appear to provide on-time, within budget projects that encounter complex issues. The purpose of this study was to provide insight into whether an alternative PDM might have provided a more successful outcome for projects undertaken by the Northern Region Alaska Department of Transportation. Evidence of success can be measured in different ways, including on-time completion, staying within budget, and/or the final product meeting requirements. This study assessed only completion timeliness and budget compliance if a different acquisition PDM type had been used. The study used engineers’ estimates, initial bid prices, initial schedule completion dates, final cost, final completion dates, and change orders to assess how a different PDM might have resulted in a more successful project. Proposed Objective Relationships: • assessed whether a PDM selection guide could be created to help select the best PDM to use for different levels of project complexity • used the guide developed for this study to determine which PDM might have provided a more budget compliant project completion • analyzed whether PDM success varied across civil construction projects based on project complexity To specifically help the ADOT Northern Region and provide for consideration of use by other agencies within the state, this study developed a PDM selection process and then used that process to do a case study on three projects, two already complete projects finished under the DBB process, and one project having completed its design and about to go into construction using the PDM process.
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