Selection of Construction Project Delivery Method Based on Value-Added Analysis: A Theoretical Framework

As an alternative project delivery method (PDM) to the traditional Design-Build-Bid (DBB), Design-Build (DB) has seen expanded application in construction industry for two decades. Up to now, it has been a mainstream delivery method for construction projects. However, it does not mean that DB is suitable for all projects. It is necessary to make a rational decision for the application of DB in a specific project according to its characteristics. This paper studies the selection of project delivery methods between DB and DBB from perspective of Value-Added. With DBB as the comparison object, this study analyzes the Value-Added advantages of DB, including integration of design and construction, single contract relationship etc., and discusses the main Value-Added ways of DB. Taking into account the feature that project production and transaction are interlaced with each other, this paper then analyzes the main factors influencing the Value-Added of DB versus DBB, as well as the impact features of these factors on various Value-Added ways based on project transaction element analysis. Value-Added analysis for DB versus DBB is carried out, and the estimation method of the Value-Added generated from all kinds of ways is discussed. Besides, the decision-making method is put forward for the adoption of DB.