DBIA Certification Exam | Design-Build
Professional | Complete Exam Prep |
Practice Questions & Answers |
2026-2027
Stuvia 2026-2027
,What is Collaborative Project Delivery? - a collection of project delivery systems
- early engagement of all team members
- collaboration in atmosphere based on trust, transparence and mutual respect
What are some examples of Collaborative Project - Design-Build
Delivery? - Construction Management at Risk
- Public-Private Partnerships
- Integrated Project Delivery
What is Traditional Design-Build? HALT. DBIA does not use this term. You mean "Best Value" Design-Build
What is Best Value Design-Build Delivery? - Two step procurement process -> RFQ, then RFP
- Teams are shortlisted based on their qualifications
- Shortlisted teams produce a preliminary design and firm fixed price prior to
selection
What is Progressive Design-Build Delivery? - One step procurement process -> RFQ only
- Owner selects the design-builder before design begins
- The owner and design-builder then collaboratively develop the design, scope,
schedule and budget together
What is a Best Practice? The belief that there is a technique, method, or process that is more effective at
delivering a particular outcome than any other effort.
What are DBIA's Universal Ethical Conduct Expectations? Everyone engaged in a design-build project should conduct themselves with high
standards of honesty, transparency, and integrity in compliance with the DBIA Code
of Professional Conduct.
What are the Guiding Principles of DBIA Best Practices? - Universal ethical conduct
- Demonstrated competence
- Sustainable professional development
- Supporting diversity
What are DBIA Demonstrated Competence Expectations? - Emphasize the importance of training and experience to achieve good outcomes
in design-build
- Whenever possible, training and competence should be demonstrated by attaining
appropriate professional certifications (DBIA cert, professional licensure, LEED cert,
etc.)
What are DBIA Sustainable Professional Development Owners and practitioners should:
Expectations? - proactively engage emerging professionals in a meaningful way to help with
execution of Best Practices and Implementing Techniques.
- encourage each member of the team to grow professionally and play a more
significant role in their team and industry
What are DBIA Support Diversity Expectations? Owners and practitioners should intentionally create opportunities to involve and
engage historically underrepresented companies and individuals, prioritizing fair
treatment without any racism or bias.
How does the Code of Hammurabi factor into the History First known laws that created an obligation for design and construction to protect
of Project Delivery Systems? the health, safety and welfare of society.
How does Vitruvius factor into the History of Project Vitruvius developed early documentation of design and construction practices in the
Delivery Systems? age of the Master Builder.
How does Filippo Brunelleschi factor into the History of Brunelleschi is considered by DBIA to be the quintessential design-builder.
Project Delivery Systems?
, How does Leon Battista Alberti factor into the History of Alberti defined architecture as a profession distinct from construction.
Project Delivery Systems?
When did we see the big split between design and During the Industrial Revolution.
construction? Why? This is when we started to fabricate construction materials en masse, rather than on
site. This led to further stratification/compartmentalization of A/E/C discplines.
When do we see the rise of professional societies like During the Industrial Revolution.
ASCE, AIA and AGC? Why were they established? They were established to reflect and collect the specialized knowledge needed in
each dedicated disciplines -- engineers, architects and construction professionals.
What is the Spearin Act? -
What is the Miller Act? Requires bonding for Federal Projects costing more than $100,000
What is the Brooks Act? Requires hiring Design Professionals on the basis of qualifications rather than cost
of service
What is the Clinger-Cohen Act? Authorized use of design-build of federal sector projects
What does the cost/influence curve demonstrate? The earlier on in the design development process design changes get made, the
greater their influence and lower their cost.
How is a design-build project delivery system defined? A single contract for both design and construction. Between an owner and a design-
build entity.
Is the design-build project delivery system a process only? No, it's also a mindset/culture shift. There has to be an atmosphere of transparency
and trust between all parties. Team members must choose to collaborate.
Is there any process flexibility in the design-build project Yes. The owner can choose to pursue either a best value design-build or
delivery model? progressive design-build approach.
What are the benefits of the design-build delivery system? - An owner may select a builder on a basis other than low bid
- Flexible organizational structure (designer-led, contractor-led, developer-led, etc.)
- Builders and trade partners have a "voice" in optimizing the design DURING
design development (lowers cost impact of changes/improvements)
- Collaborative nature of process promotes innovation and creativity
- The owner is substantially removed from the Standard of Care/Spearin Doctrine
claims -- the design-builder is responsible for the design, not them
What are some features of the design-bid-build project - the owner has two contracts, one with the designer and another with the contractor
delivery system. - there is a separation of design from construction
- sequential: design then bid then build (cannot be compressed or fast-tracked)
- popular. Very familiar and established processes & procedures.
- Owner carries the responsibility for accuracy of design (Spearin Doctrine applies)
On what basis are design professionals selected in design- Selected on the basis of qualifications.
bid-build project delivery?
Professional | Complete Exam Prep |
Practice Questions & Answers |
2026-2027
Stuvia 2026-2027
,What is Collaborative Project Delivery? - a collection of project delivery systems
- early engagement of all team members
- collaboration in atmosphere based on trust, transparence and mutual respect
What are some examples of Collaborative Project - Design-Build
Delivery? - Construction Management at Risk
- Public-Private Partnerships
- Integrated Project Delivery
What is Traditional Design-Build? HALT. DBIA does not use this term. You mean "Best Value" Design-Build
What is Best Value Design-Build Delivery? - Two step procurement process -> RFQ, then RFP
- Teams are shortlisted based on their qualifications
- Shortlisted teams produce a preliminary design and firm fixed price prior to
selection
What is Progressive Design-Build Delivery? - One step procurement process -> RFQ only
- Owner selects the design-builder before design begins
- The owner and design-builder then collaboratively develop the design, scope,
schedule and budget together
What is a Best Practice? The belief that there is a technique, method, or process that is more effective at
delivering a particular outcome than any other effort.
What are DBIA's Universal Ethical Conduct Expectations? Everyone engaged in a design-build project should conduct themselves with high
standards of honesty, transparency, and integrity in compliance with the DBIA Code
of Professional Conduct.
What are the Guiding Principles of DBIA Best Practices? - Universal ethical conduct
- Demonstrated competence
- Sustainable professional development
- Supporting diversity
What are DBIA Demonstrated Competence Expectations? - Emphasize the importance of training and experience to achieve good outcomes
in design-build
- Whenever possible, training and competence should be demonstrated by attaining
appropriate professional certifications (DBIA cert, professional licensure, LEED cert,
etc.)
What are DBIA Sustainable Professional Development Owners and practitioners should:
Expectations? - proactively engage emerging professionals in a meaningful way to help with
execution of Best Practices and Implementing Techniques.
- encourage each member of the team to grow professionally and play a more
significant role in their team and industry
What are DBIA Support Diversity Expectations? Owners and practitioners should intentionally create opportunities to involve and
engage historically underrepresented companies and individuals, prioritizing fair
treatment without any racism or bias.
How does the Code of Hammurabi factor into the History First known laws that created an obligation for design and construction to protect
of Project Delivery Systems? the health, safety and welfare of society.
How does Vitruvius factor into the History of Project Vitruvius developed early documentation of design and construction practices in the
Delivery Systems? age of the Master Builder.
How does Filippo Brunelleschi factor into the History of Brunelleschi is considered by DBIA to be the quintessential design-builder.
Project Delivery Systems?
, How does Leon Battista Alberti factor into the History of Alberti defined architecture as a profession distinct from construction.
Project Delivery Systems?
When did we see the big split between design and During the Industrial Revolution.
construction? Why? This is when we started to fabricate construction materials en masse, rather than on
site. This led to further stratification/compartmentalization of A/E/C discplines.
When do we see the rise of professional societies like During the Industrial Revolution.
ASCE, AIA and AGC? Why were they established? They were established to reflect and collect the specialized knowledge needed in
each dedicated disciplines -- engineers, architects and construction professionals.
What is the Spearin Act? -
What is the Miller Act? Requires bonding for Federal Projects costing more than $100,000
What is the Brooks Act? Requires hiring Design Professionals on the basis of qualifications rather than cost
of service
What is the Clinger-Cohen Act? Authorized use of design-build of federal sector projects
What does the cost/influence curve demonstrate? The earlier on in the design development process design changes get made, the
greater their influence and lower their cost.
How is a design-build project delivery system defined? A single contract for both design and construction. Between an owner and a design-
build entity.
Is the design-build project delivery system a process only? No, it's also a mindset/culture shift. There has to be an atmosphere of transparency
and trust between all parties. Team members must choose to collaborate.
Is there any process flexibility in the design-build project Yes. The owner can choose to pursue either a best value design-build or
delivery model? progressive design-build approach.
What are the benefits of the design-build delivery system? - An owner may select a builder on a basis other than low bid
- Flexible organizational structure (designer-led, contractor-led, developer-led, etc.)
- Builders and trade partners have a "voice" in optimizing the design DURING
design development (lowers cost impact of changes/improvements)
- Collaborative nature of process promotes innovation and creativity
- The owner is substantially removed from the Standard of Care/Spearin Doctrine
claims -- the design-builder is responsible for the design, not them
What are some features of the design-bid-build project - the owner has two contracts, one with the designer and another with the contractor
delivery system. - there is a separation of design from construction
- sequential: design then bid then build (cannot be compressed or fast-tracked)
- popular. Very familiar and established processes & procedures.
- Owner carries the responsibility for accuracy of design (Spearin Doctrine applies)
On what basis are design professionals selected in design- Selected on the basis of qualifications.
bid-build project delivery?
