DBIA Exam 1 Actual Exam QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 | Design-Build
Fundamentals Complete Q&A Graded A+ |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Design-Build Fundamentals and Principles
Questions 1-12
Question 1 Which of the following best describes the fundamental characteristic of the design-
build project delivery method?
A. The owner contracts separately with a designer and a builder under sequential agreements
B. A single entity contracts with the owner to provide both design and construction services
under one agreement [CORRECT]
C. The owner hires a construction manager to oversee separate design and construction contracts
D. The designer hires the contractor as a subcontractor to the design team
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The defining characteristic of design-build is the single point of responsibility—a
single entity (the design-builder) contracts with the owner to deliver both design and
construction services. This creates unified accountability and streamlines communication. Option
A describes design-bid-build (DBB). Option C describes Construction Manager at Risk
(CMAR). Option D describes a designer-led design-build variation but misrepresents the
fundamental single-contract structure.
Question 2 Which of the following is a primary advantage of design-build compared to
traditional design-bid-build delivery?
A. Multiple contracts and fragmented responsibility
B. Single point of responsibility and reduced project delivery time through fast-tracking
[CORRECT]
C. Lower initial design quality due to speed pressures
D. Increased adversarial relationships between parties
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Design-build's primary advantages include: (1) single point of responsibility reducing
owner risk and simplifying dispute resolution, and (2) schedule compression through overlapping
design and construction (fast-tracking). Options A and D describe disadvantages of DBB. Option
C is a potential risk if not managed properly, not an inherent advantage.
Question 3 In the design-build delivery method, the design-builder assumes responsibility for:
A. Design services only, with construction managed by the owner
B. Construction services only, with design provided by the owner
C. Both design and construction, serving as the single point of accountability to the owner
[CORRECT]
D. Financing only, with design and construction by separate entities
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The design-builder is responsible for both design and construction services,
providing the owner with a single contractual point of accountability. This integration allows for
constructability input during design and cost control throughout. Options A and B describe
partial services. Option D describes a financial arrangement, not design-build core responsibility.
Question 4 The "bridging" method in design-build refers to which approach?
A. A contract structure that spans multiple sequential projects
B. The owner hires a designer to develop preliminary design (typically 30-60% complete), then a
design-builder completes the design and constructs the project [CORRECT]
C. A specialized procurement method for bridge construction projects
D. A financing mechanism using bridge loans
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bridging is a hybrid procurement strategy where the owner engages a designer to
develop preliminary design (performance criteria, bridging documents), then solicits design-
build proposals to complete design and construction. This balances owner design control with
design-build benefits. It is not specific to bridges (C) or financing (D), nor is it multi-project (A).
Question 5 Compared to Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), traditional design-build typically:
A. Requires the same level of shared risk/reward and collaborative decision-making
B. Lacks the multi-party agreement and shared financial incentives characteristic of IPD
, [CORRECT]
C. Always delivers projects faster than IPD
D. Prohibits the use of BIM technology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While both methods emphasize collaboration, IPD uses a multi-party agreement
among owner, designer, and builder with shared risk/reward pools and collaborative decision-
making. Traditional design-build uses a two-party agreement (owner-design-builder) with risk
primarily allocated to the design-builder. Option C is not universally true. Option D is
incorrect—BIM is used in both.
Question 6 Which of the following best describes the difference between design-build and EPC
(Engineering, Procurement, Construction)?
A. There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
B. EPC typically implies a more comprehensive scope including procurement and often
process/industrial projects, with greater contractor risk [CORRECT]
C. Design-build is only for public projects, while EPC is only for private
D. EPC requires government approval while design-build does not
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EPC (often called "turnkey") typically includes procurement of major equipment, is
common in industrial/process projects (power plants, refineries), and often places greater risk on
the contractor including performance guarantees. Design-build is broader, encompassing
building construction with various risk allocations. The terms overlap but EPC suggests specific
industry context and scope.
Question 7 Fast-tracking in design-build refers to:
A. Accelerating only the construction phase
B. Overlapping design and construction activities to compress the overall schedule [CORRECT]
C. Skipping the design phase entirely
D. Reducing quality to increase speed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fast-tracking overlaps design and construction phases—construction of early work
packages begins while design of later elements continues. This is possible because the design-
builder controls both functions. It reduces total delivery time but requires careful coordination to
AND ANSWERS 2026 | Design-Build
Fundamentals Complete Q&A Graded A+ |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Design-Build Fundamentals and Principles
Questions 1-12
Question 1 Which of the following best describes the fundamental characteristic of the design-
build project delivery method?
A. The owner contracts separately with a designer and a builder under sequential agreements
B. A single entity contracts with the owner to provide both design and construction services
under one agreement [CORRECT]
C. The owner hires a construction manager to oversee separate design and construction contracts
D. The designer hires the contractor as a subcontractor to the design team
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The defining characteristic of design-build is the single point of responsibility—a
single entity (the design-builder) contracts with the owner to deliver both design and
construction services. This creates unified accountability and streamlines communication. Option
A describes design-bid-build (DBB). Option C describes Construction Manager at Risk
(CMAR). Option D describes a designer-led design-build variation but misrepresents the
fundamental single-contract structure.
Question 2 Which of the following is a primary advantage of design-build compared to
traditional design-bid-build delivery?
A. Multiple contracts and fragmented responsibility
B. Single point of responsibility and reduced project delivery time through fast-tracking
[CORRECT]
C. Lower initial design quality due to speed pressures
D. Increased adversarial relationships between parties
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Design-build's primary advantages include: (1) single point of responsibility reducing
owner risk and simplifying dispute resolution, and (2) schedule compression through overlapping
design and construction (fast-tracking). Options A and D describe disadvantages of DBB. Option
C is a potential risk if not managed properly, not an inherent advantage.
Question 3 In the design-build delivery method, the design-builder assumes responsibility for:
A. Design services only, with construction managed by the owner
B. Construction services only, with design provided by the owner
C. Both design and construction, serving as the single point of accountability to the owner
[CORRECT]
D. Financing only, with design and construction by separate entities
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The design-builder is responsible for both design and construction services,
providing the owner with a single contractual point of accountability. This integration allows for
constructability input during design and cost control throughout. Options A and B describe
partial services. Option D describes a financial arrangement, not design-build core responsibility.
Question 4 The "bridging" method in design-build refers to which approach?
A. A contract structure that spans multiple sequential projects
B. The owner hires a designer to develop preliminary design (typically 30-60% complete), then a
design-builder completes the design and constructs the project [CORRECT]
C. A specialized procurement method for bridge construction projects
D. A financing mechanism using bridge loans
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bridging is a hybrid procurement strategy where the owner engages a designer to
develop preliminary design (performance criteria, bridging documents), then solicits design-
build proposals to complete design and construction. This balances owner design control with
design-build benefits. It is not specific to bridges (C) or financing (D), nor is it multi-project (A).
Question 5 Compared to Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), traditional design-build typically:
A. Requires the same level of shared risk/reward and collaborative decision-making
B. Lacks the multi-party agreement and shared financial incentives characteristic of IPD
, [CORRECT]
C. Always delivers projects faster than IPD
D. Prohibits the use of BIM technology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While both methods emphasize collaboration, IPD uses a multi-party agreement
among owner, designer, and builder with shared risk/reward pools and collaborative decision-
making. Traditional design-build uses a two-party agreement (owner-design-builder) with risk
primarily allocated to the design-builder. Option C is not universally true. Option D is
incorrect—BIM is used in both.
Question 6 Which of the following best describes the difference between design-build and EPC
(Engineering, Procurement, Construction)?
A. There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
B. EPC typically implies a more comprehensive scope including procurement and often
process/industrial projects, with greater contractor risk [CORRECT]
C. Design-build is only for public projects, while EPC is only for private
D. EPC requires government approval while design-build does not
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EPC (often called "turnkey") typically includes procurement of major equipment, is
common in industrial/process projects (power plants, refineries), and often places greater risk on
the contractor including performance guarantees. Design-build is broader, encompassing
building construction with various risk allocations. The terms overlap but EPC suggests specific
industry context and scope.
Question 7 Fast-tracking in design-build refers to:
A. Accelerating only the construction phase
B. Overlapping design and construction activities to compress the overall schedule [CORRECT]
C. Skipping the design phase entirely
D. Reducing quality to increase speed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fast-tracking overlaps design and construction phases—construction of early work
packages begins while design of later elements continues. This is possible because the design-
builder controls both functions. It reduces total delivery time but requires careful coordination to
