CMOM PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
INSTITUTE ACTUAL CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION 2026 COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥ Design-Bid-Build. Answer: A project delivery method in which the
owner holds two separate contracts for design and construction. This
method is often referred to as the traditional project delivery method.
PROCESS
- owner hires architect, architect designs & prepares documents for
bidding
- bid phase: GCs review & ask any necessary questions, confer with
subs, bid with their best price for the project, architect to review and
select what best fits the owners needs
- build phase: GCs team gets to work, architect oversees GC and subs
⩥ Design-Build
how is it set up?
AIA form?
,pros/cons?. Answer: The owner contracts with one entity (a person or
firm) to provide both design and construction services, that entity then
subcontracts portions of the work to others as needed.
A142 Standard Form of Agreement Between Design-Builder and
Contractor
- reduces lengthy time period of DBB
- efficient communication, one contact for all questions
- owner loses advantage of having separate party oversee the quality of
construction
- can be phased /overlap for faster construction (phase 1 designed, phase
2 designed while phase 1 builds)
⩥ Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)
how is it set up?
process?
pros/cons?. Answer: It is a derivative of DBB, but instead of the
designer overseeing the design process and construction quality, a
,construction manager (CM) is hired by the owner to oversee the entire
project.
- CM as owner's representative in every step: from preconstruction, to
design and bidding, through construction
- ideal for project owners who want an expert's help managing their
project or communicating between parties, and sometimes CMAR
allows owners to remove themselves from the majority of the
construction process altogether
PROCESS
- owner brings CM an initial design, CM consults with designers while
also looking to VE items to save money
- halfway through design, CM brings owner GMP
- if under GMP, CM is likely rewarded by owner through cost-sharing
agreement BUT if it exceeds CM takes risk of paying difference
- following design phase, CM takes bids from contractors & selects best
fit bid for owner while not crossing GMP
- works with contractor to schedule construction phases, oversee quality
of work and coordinate any needed change orders
⩥ Integrated Project Delivery
what is it?
, what AIA form?
pros/cons?. Answer: an approach that involves people, systems, and
business structures (contractual and legal agreements) and practices. The
process harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to improve
results, increase value to the owner, reduce waste, and maximize
efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication, and construction.
(Adapted from American Institute of Architects)
A195 Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor for
IPD
PROS
- financial alignment of design & construction
- financial performance based on overall project outcome not individual
firm performance
- Profit is at risk if project goals are not met around schedule and budget
- Team has "skin in the game" for activities during preconstruction
CONS
- Upfront investment required early in the project (cashflow cannot be
delayed)
INSTITUTE ACTUAL CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION 2026 COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥ Design-Bid-Build. Answer: A project delivery method in which the
owner holds two separate contracts for design and construction. This
method is often referred to as the traditional project delivery method.
PROCESS
- owner hires architect, architect designs & prepares documents for
bidding
- bid phase: GCs review & ask any necessary questions, confer with
subs, bid with their best price for the project, architect to review and
select what best fits the owners needs
- build phase: GCs team gets to work, architect oversees GC and subs
⩥ Design-Build
how is it set up?
AIA form?
,pros/cons?. Answer: The owner contracts with one entity (a person or
firm) to provide both design and construction services, that entity then
subcontracts portions of the work to others as needed.
A142 Standard Form of Agreement Between Design-Builder and
Contractor
- reduces lengthy time period of DBB
- efficient communication, one contact for all questions
- owner loses advantage of having separate party oversee the quality of
construction
- can be phased /overlap for faster construction (phase 1 designed, phase
2 designed while phase 1 builds)
⩥ Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)
how is it set up?
process?
pros/cons?. Answer: It is a derivative of DBB, but instead of the
designer overseeing the design process and construction quality, a
,construction manager (CM) is hired by the owner to oversee the entire
project.
- CM as owner's representative in every step: from preconstruction, to
design and bidding, through construction
- ideal for project owners who want an expert's help managing their
project or communicating between parties, and sometimes CMAR
allows owners to remove themselves from the majority of the
construction process altogether
PROCESS
- owner brings CM an initial design, CM consults with designers while
also looking to VE items to save money
- halfway through design, CM brings owner GMP
- if under GMP, CM is likely rewarded by owner through cost-sharing
agreement BUT if it exceeds CM takes risk of paying difference
- following design phase, CM takes bids from contractors & selects best
fit bid for owner while not crossing GMP
- works with contractor to schedule construction phases, oversee quality
of work and coordinate any needed change orders
⩥ Integrated Project Delivery
what is it?
, what AIA form?
pros/cons?. Answer: an approach that involves people, systems, and
business structures (contractual and legal agreements) and practices. The
process harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to improve
results, increase value to the owner, reduce waste, and maximize
efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication, and construction.
(Adapted from American Institute of Architects)
A195 Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor for
IPD
PROS
- financial alignment of design & construction
- financial performance based on overall project outcome not individual
firm performance
- Profit is at risk if project goals are not met around schedule and budget
- Team has "skin in the game" for activities during preconstruction
CONS
- Upfront investment required early in the project (cashflow cannot be
delayed)
