DBIA Exam 1 Actual Exam QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 | Design-Build
Fundamentals Complete Q&A Graded A+ |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Questions 1-12
Question 1
What is the defining characteristic of the design-build project delivery method?
A. The owner holds separate contracts with designer and contractor
B. A single entity contracts with the owner to provide both design and construction services
[CORRECT]
C. The designer hires the contractor to build the project
D. The owner acts as the general contractor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Design-build is defined by a single point of responsibility—one entity (the design-
builder) contracts with the owner to deliver both design and construction services. This creates
unified accountability. Option A describes design-bid-build. Option C describes design-bid-build
with a construction manager. Option D describes owner-construction management.
Question 2
Compared to design-bid-build, design-build typically results in:
A. Longer project delivery time due to sequential phases
B. Reduced project delivery time through overlapping design and construction [CORRECT]
C. Higher frequency of change orders
D. Increased adversarial relationships between parties
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Design-build enables "fast-tracking"—starting construction before design is
complete—reducing overall delivery time. Option A describes design-bid-build. Option C is
,incorrect; design-build typically has fewer change orders due to early collaboration. Option D is
opposite; design-build fosters collaboration.
Question 3
Which of the following is NOT a typical advantage of design-build?
A. Single point of responsibility
B. Enhanced collaboration and innovation
C. Guaranteed lowest initial price [CORRECT]
D. Reduced administrative burden on owner
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Design-build offers many advantages but does not guarantee the lowest initial price.
Low-bid procurement may achieve lower initial prices but often with higher total costs due to
changes and disputes. Options A, B, and D are established design-build advantages.
Question 4
In the "bridging" procurement approach:
A. The owner hires a designer to develop preliminary design, then the design-builder completes
design and construction [CORRECT]
B. The design-builder bridges the gap between design and construction phases
C. The owner acts as the bridge between designer and builder
D. Financing bridges the funding gap
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bridging is a hybrid where the owner hires a designer (bridging consultant) to develop
preliminary design, performance criteria, and bridging documents, then procures a design-builder
to complete design and construct. This provides owner control over early design while retaining
design-build benefits.
Question 5
Design-build differs from Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) primarily in that:
A. CMAR provides a single point of responsibility; design-build does not
B. Design-build provides a single point of responsibility for design and construction; CMAR
splits responsibility [CORRECT]
C. Both have identical risk allocation
, D. CMAR always uses lump sum pricing; design-build never does
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In design-build, one entity holds both design and construction contracts with the
owner. In CMAR, the owner holds separate contracts with designer and CM, who then manages
construction trade contracts. The CM "at risk" guarantees a GMP but doesn't unify design and
construction responsibility like design-build.
Question 6
Which project delivery method most closely integrates design, construction, and operations
through shared risk/reward?
A. Design-bid-build
B. Design-build
C. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) [CORRECT]
D. Public-private partnership (P3)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: IPD is the most integrated, with owner, designer, and builder sharing risk/reward
through a multi-party agreement and collaborative decision-making. Design-build (B) has single-
point responsibility but not necessarily shared financial risk. P3 (D) focuses on
financing/operations, not necessarily integration.
Question 7
The "single point of responsibility" in design-build means:
A. Only one person works on the project
B. The owner has one entity accountable for both design and construction performance
[CORRECT]
C. The designer is solely responsible
D. The contractor is solely responsible
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Single point of responsibility means the owner contracts with one entity (design-
builder) who is accountable for both design and construction, eliminating gaps in responsibility.
Options A, C, and D misinterpret the concept.
Question 8
AND ANSWERS 2026 | Design-Build
Fundamentals Complete Q&A Graded A+ |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Questions 1-12
Question 1
What is the defining characteristic of the design-build project delivery method?
A. The owner holds separate contracts with designer and contractor
B. A single entity contracts with the owner to provide both design and construction services
[CORRECT]
C. The designer hires the contractor to build the project
D. The owner acts as the general contractor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Design-build is defined by a single point of responsibility—one entity (the design-
builder) contracts with the owner to deliver both design and construction services. This creates
unified accountability. Option A describes design-bid-build. Option C describes design-bid-build
with a construction manager. Option D describes owner-construction management.
Question 2
Compared to design-bid-build, design-build typically results in:
A. Longer project delivery time due to sequential phases
B. Reduced project delivery time through overlapping design and construction [CORRECT]
C. Higher frequency of change orders
D. Increased adversarial relationships between parties
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Design-build enables "fast-tracking"—starting construction before design is
complete—reducing overall delivery time. Option A describes design-bid-build. Option C is
,incorrect; design-build typically has fewer change orders due to early collaboration. Option D is
opposite; design-build fosters collaboration.
Question 3
Which of the following is NOT a typical advantage of design-build?
A. Single point of responsibility
B. Enhanced collaboration and innovation
C. Guaranteed lowest initial price [CORRECT]
D. Reduced administrative burden on owner
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Design-build offers many advantages but does not guarantee the lowest initial price.
Low-bid procurement may achieve lower initial prices but often with higher total costs due to
changes and disputes. Options A, B, and D are established design-build advantages.
Question 4
In the "bridging" procurement approach:
A. The owner hires a designer to develop preliminary design, then the design-builder completes
design and construction [CORRECT]
B. The design-builder bridges the gap between design and construction phases
C. The owner acts as the bridge between designer and builder
D. Financing bridges the funding gap
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bridging is a hybrid where the owner hires a designer (bridging consultant) to develop
preliminary design, performance criteria, and bridging documents, then procures a design-builder
to complete design and construct. This provides owner control over early design while retaining
design-build benefits.
Question 5
Design-build differs from Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) primarily in that:
A. CMAR provides a single point of responsibility; design-build does not
B. Design-build provides a single point of responsibility for design and construction; CMAR
splits responsibility [CORRECT]
C. Both have identical risk allocation
, D. CMAR always uses lump sum pricing; design-build never does
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In design-build, one entity holds both design and construction contracts with the
owner. In CMAR, the owner holds separate contracts with designer and CM, who then manages
construction trade contracts. The CM "at risk" guarantees a GMP but doesn't unify design and
construction responsibility like design-build.
Question 6
Which project delivery method most closely integrates design, construction, and operations
through shared risk/reward?
A. Design-bid-build
B. Design-build
C. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) [CORRECT]
D. Public-private partnership (P3)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: IPD is the most integrated, with owner, designer, and builder sharing risk/reward
through a multi-party agreement and collaborative decision-making. Design-build (B) has single-
point responsibility but not necessarily shared financial risk. P3 (D) focuses on
financing/operations, not necessarily integration.
Question 7
The "single point of responsibility" in design-build means:
A. Only one person works on the project
B. The owner has one entity accountable for both design and construction performance
[CORRECT]
C. The designer is solely responsible
D. The contractor is solely responsible
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Single point of responsibility means the owner contracts with one entity (design-
builder) who is accountable for both design and construction, eliminating gaps in responsibility.
Options A, C, and D misinterpret the concept.
Question 8
