The Construction Manager as Project Integrator

There are no absolutes in project-delivery methods, just variations along a spectrum. The more innovation that pops to the surface, the more choices there are to make, more opportunities to do things better and more chances for things to go wrong. A good construction manager (CM) can be invaluable to project delivery as a project integrator. The CM can work with the owner up-front to define risks and issues, develop the project-delivery strategy and contractual relationships, structure the project, select participants and put things in order. Two project-delivery methods, design-build and a variation of design-build called bridging, provide opportunity for the CM to assist in this manner. The value of design-build comes in the marriage of the design and construction processes, which can then bring construction technology to the design process and simplify project delivery. Bridging sides architects and project managers with owners and contractors to serve owners better, improve the business environment and deliver cost-effective construction. There are welcome solutions at a time when projects are becoming more and more complex from both technical and management standpoints.