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Hoefer Wysocki Architects’ (HWA’s) approach to
design-build teaming is a philosophy that has been honed through a
focus on local and national design-build competitions, and
consequently formalized for every teaming situation. This type of
teaming philosophy has three key criteria: each team member must
have the right team culture, embrace the established teaming
approach, and of course have the right expertise. All team members
need to be open to sharing all information and have one common
goal, giving the owner the best quality for the best value.
First, the right team culture is key to the creation of a
successful project. Each member must be a true partner and easy to
work with. There can be no hidden agendas, and each party involved
must embrace the fact that the owner’s goals are paramount.
All information must be shared in an open-book manner; every issue
goes on the table. The open dialogue makes all entities work
together and be responsible, with no ability to blame others. Look
for team members who have the same common values and beliefs. To
ensure this, do multiple partnering sessions from kickoff to
completion to be certain that everyone is on the same page all the
time, and the right team culture for the project is established
from the onset. All team members are then striving to achieve the
same end result while being accountable for its success.
Second, implement a teaming approach that involves participation
at multiple stages throughout the design and construction. This is
not a linear process and it requires the entire team to adapt to
this approach. HWA uses a very interactive, participatory charrette
process. The goal as a team is to brainstorm, exchange ideas,
understand the client’s vision and project requirements,
prepare options, and ultimately create a conceptual project design,
layout, and preliminary design direction. This participatory
process, which encourages input from all team members, is highly
valuable to the entire project process. Not only does it result in
a preliminary design, but it also develops team consensus on every
issue, from scope to schedule. This is a very efficient means of
designing and it allows the ideas of all participants to be
reflected through the design, resulting in a sense of ownership,
authorship, and accountability among everyone involved, including
the owner. This design-build approach absolutely makes the
owner’s dollar go farther.
Third, the team’s expertise must meet criteria that will
give the owner the most qualitative and quantitative benefits. Look
for like and kind project experience, as well as specialized
similar expertise and experience, in your team. Take into
consideration their market presence, not only demographically but
by building type. From the beginning, all team members must be able
to conceptualize the entire project. For example, a contractor must
be a good conceptual cost estimator and have strong cost control
methodologies. Selecting a team whose expertise is the best fit for
the project will help establish trust and confidence within the
team.
By combining these criteria with team building, and applying
them throughout the project, strong design-build teams are able to
provide owners with maximum value and success. The owner
receives
- The best quality and value
- Increased ownership, authorship, and accountability by team
members
- Complete cost, schedule, and scope definition from the very
beginning
- Confidence going into construction that the budget will be
maintained
- The ability to make the budget go farther
HWA has been experiencing increasing demand for design-build
services as a result of the success of this approach. Because this
process has been so successful, we have completed several projects
with the same teams of clients, contractors, and consultants. And
repeat work is the ultimate reward for a job well done.
Mitch Hoefer is a principal and project designer with Hoefer
Wysocki Architects, Kansas City, Mo.
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