DBIA EXAM 2 NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM
COMPLET
Section 1: Foundations & Guiding Principles
1. What is the defining characteristic of design-build project delivery that
distinguishes it from traditional design-bid-build?
A) The owner signs separate contracts for design and construction services
B) A single entity — the design-builder — holds a single contract for both design
and construction
C) The construction manager acts as the owner's representative throughout the
project
D) The design is completed 100% before any construction begins
Answer: B
Rationale: The fundamental difference in design-build is the integration of design
and construction responsibilities under one contract with a single point of
responsibility. Traditional design-bid-build separates design and construction
contracts.
2. Which of the following is NOT a potential advantage of design-build for an
owner?
A) Single point of responsibility
B) Faster project delivery through overlapping design and construction phases
C) Guaranteed maximum price regardless of scope changes
D) Enhanced innovation through collaboration
Answer: C
Rationale: While design-build offers single-point responsibility, schedule
compression, and innovation, no project delivery method can guarantee a
,maximum price "regardless of scope changes." Scope changes typically result in
price adjustments. This is a common trap question.
3. Which of the following is a core objective of design-build delivery?
A) Shift all risk to the owner
B) Enhance collaboration and integration among all stakeholders
C) Delay design decisions until after contract award
D) Increase administrative oversight
Answer: B
Rationale: DBIA's foundation is collaboration and integration — both design and
construction professionals share goals and risk. The "Design-Build Done Right"
principles emphasize trust, transparency, and teamwork.
4. What is the role of the "Design Criteria Professional" (DCP)?
A) The contractor's superintendent
B) An owner's representative who defines project criteria and performance
expectations
C) A third-party code reviewer
D) The design-builder's lead architect
Answer: B
Rationale: The DCP helps the owner define functional and performance-based
requirements before procurement. They create the bridging documents and
performance criteria that form the basis of the RFP.
5. The hallmark of design-build collaboration is:
A) Late-stage problem solving
B) Early, continuous involvement of key stakeholders
C) Strict contract enforcement
D) Delayed design decisions
, Answer: B
Rationale: DBIA Best Practices emphasize that design-build teams integrate from
concept through completion, enhancing efficiency and innovation. Early
involvement of the builder during design is critical for constructability, cost
control, and schedule optimization.
6. In design-build, the owner's primary role is to:
A) Direct the builder daily
B) Define project performance criteria and goals
C) Prepare final design documents
D) Manage subcontractors
Answer: B
Rationale: Owners state what they need, not how to do it — empowering the
design-builder to innovate. The owner's critical responsibilities include defining
project needs, establishing performance requirements, and making timely
decisions. The design-builder manages daily activities and subcontractor selection.
7. Which of the following is NOT a key benefit of design-build?
A) Single point of accountability
B) Schedule compression
C) Rigidly separated design and construction responsibilities
D) Enhanced innovation
Answer: C
Rationale: The integration of design and construction — NOT rigid separation — is
what makes design-build flexible and efficient. This option describes the opposite
of design-build's core advantage.
8. "Design-build done right" requires:
A) Minimal owner involvement
COMPLET
Section 1: Foundations & Guiding Principles
1. What is the defining characteristic of design-build project delivery that
distinguishes it from traditional design-bid-build?
A) The owner signs separate contracts for design and construction services
B) A single entity — the design-builder — holds a single contract for both design
and construction
C) The construction manager acts as the owner's representative throughout the
project
D) The design is completed 100% before any construction begins
Answer: B
Rationale: The fundamental difference in design-build is the integration of design
and construction responsibilities under one contract with a single point of
responsibility. Traditional design-bid-build separates design and construction
contracts.
2. Which of the following is NOT a potential advantage of design-build for an
owner?
A) Single point of responsibility
B) Faster project delivery through overlapping design and construction phases
C) Guaranteed maximum price regardless of scope changes
D) Enhanced innovation through collaboration
Answer: C
Rationale: While design-build offers single-point responsibility, schedule
compression, and innovation, no project delivery method can guarantee a
,maximum price "regardless of scope changes." Scope changes typically result in
price adjustments. This is a common trap question.
3. Which of the following is a core objective of design-build delivery?
A) Shift all risk to the owner
B) Enhance collaboration and integration among all stakeholders
C) Delay design decisions until after contract award
D) Increase administrative oversight
Answer: B
Rationale: DBIA's foundation is collaboration and integration — both design and
construction professionals share goals and risk. The "Design-Build Done Right"
principles emphasize trust, transparency, and teamwork.
4. What is the role of the "Design Criteria Professional" (DCP)?
A) The contractor's superintendent
B) An owner's representative who defines project criteria and performance
expectations
C) A third-party code reviewer
D) The design-builder's lead architect
Answer: B
Rationale: The DCP helps the owner define functional and performance-based
requirements before procurement. They create the bridging documents and
performance criteria that form the basis of the RFP.
5. The hallmark of design-build collaboration is:
A) Late-stage problem solving
B) Early, continuous involvement of key stakeholders
C) Strict contract enforcement
D) Delayed design decisions
, Answer: B
Rationale: DBIA Best Practices emphasize that design-build teams integrate from
concept through completion, enhancing efficiency and innovation. Early
involvement of the builder during design is critical for constructability, cost
control, and schedule optimization.
6. In design-build, the owner's primary role is to:
A) Direct the builder daily
B) Define project performance criteria and goals
C) Prepare final design documents
D) Manage subcontractors
Answer: B
Rationale: Owners state what they need, not how to do it — empowering the
design-builder to innovate. The owner's critical responsibilities include defining
project needs, establishing performance requirements, and making timely
decisions. The design-builder manages daily activities and subcontractor selection.
7. Which of the following is NOT a key benefit of design-build?
A) Single point of accountability
B) Schedule compression
C) Rigidly separated design and construction responsibilities
D) Enhanced innovation
Answer: C
Rationale: The integration of design and construction — NOT rigid separation — is
what makes design-build flexible and efficient. This option describes the opposite
of design-build's core advantage.
8. "Design-build done right" requires:
A) Minimal owner involvement
