1
DBIA Certification Exam Practice Questions (100 Questions)
Section 1: Guiding Principles & Foundations of Design-Build Done Right (Questions 1–20)
1. What is the core principle of design-build project delivery?
A. The owner contracts separately with a designer and a constructor who are required to
work together
B. A single entity holds a single contract with the owner for both the design and construction
of a project
C. The designer is hired by the construction manager to produce the construction
documents
D. The owner manages separate contracts for design and construction with a guaranteed
maximum price
Answer: B
2. The DBIA's "Design-Build Done Right" philosophy is based on which fundamental
principle?
A. The owner must retain a separate engineer to oversee the design-builder
B. The design-builder is solely responsible for all project risk without exception
C. The owner, design-builder, and other stakeholders work together in an integrated,
collaborative process
D. Design-build is only suitable for large, complex public works projects
Answer: C
3. Which project delivery method creates the greatest potential for cost savings through
value engineering during the design phase?
A. Design-Bid-Build
B. Design-Build
C. Construction Manager at Risk
D. Multiple Prime Contracting
Answer: B
4. What is the primary differentiator between Design-Build (DB) and Design-Bid-Build
(DBB)?
A. In DB, the owner selects the lowest bidder; in DBB, the owner selects the best value
B. In DB, one entity is accountable for both design and construction; in DBB, the owner
manages separate contracts
C. In DB, the designer works for the contractor; in DBB, the designer works for the owner
D. In DB, construction cannot begin until design is 100% complete; in DBB, it can
Answer: B
5. According to DBIA, what is the purpose of the "Big Room" or co-location concept?
A. To provide a large, shared workspace to reduce office rental costs for the design-builder
B. To enable co-location of the integrated team to foster collaboration, rapid
,2
communication, and proactive problem-solving
C. To establish a physical location for the owner's project manager to oversee the
contractor's daily work
D. To create a formal meeting space for dispute resolution and claims negotiation
Answer: B
6. The DBIA purpose statement states that DBIA is the only organization that _____, _____,
and _____ best practices in design-build project delivery.
A. defines, teaches, promotes
B. researches, develops, enforces
C. creates, mandates, regulates
D. studies, publishes, certifies
Answer: A
7. What is a "best practice" in the context of DBIA?
A. A mandatory regulation that all design-builders must follow
B. The belief that there is a technique, method or process that is more effective at delivering
a particular outcome than any other
C. A legal requirement established by the owner
D. A financial metric used to measure project success
Answer: B
8. How many Best Practices does DBIA identify?
A. 5
B. 10
C. 15
D. 20
Answer: B
9. What are the three topics that DBIA Best Practices are organized into?
A. Planning, Design, Construction
B. Procurement, Contracting, Execution
C. Bidding, Awarding, Building
D. Design, Engineering, Management
Answer: B
10. What are the "Implementing Techniques" in DBIA's framework?
A. Mandatory procedures required by law
B. Discrete ways to implement the Best Practices, essentially "mini" best practices
C. Alternative project delivery methods
D. Contract templates provided by DBIA
Answer: B
, 3
11. How many Implementing Techniques does DBIA identify?
A. 10
B. 25
C. 59
D. 100
Answer: C
12. One key factor in project success is the Owner's choice of ______ system and ______
approach.
A. design, construction
B. project delivery, procurement
C. contracting, payment
D. management, financial
Answer: B
13. The owner's choice of project delivery system and procurement approach establishes
how the project is ______.
A. funded
B. executed
C. designed
D. insured
Answer: B
14. What is the core of every DBIA certification course?
A. Contract Law
B. Design-Build Done Right
C. Project Management
D. Cost Estimating
Answer: B
15. What are the 3 "fixes" to the trust issue in design-build?
A. Picking the right DB team; giving flexibility, opportunity to succeed, and accountability;
rewarding for superior performance
B. Hiring more lawyers; increasing insurance; adding penalties
C. Reducing scope; shortening schedule; cutting costs
D. Separating design and construction; increasing oversight; adding inspections
Answer: A
16. Best Practice No. 1 states: an Owner should conduct proactive and ______ assessment
of the unique ______ of its project and its organization before deciding to use DB.
A. objective, characteristics
B. subjective, features
C. financial, costs
DBIA Certification Exam Practice Questions (100 Questions)
Section 1: Guiding Principles & Foundations of Design-Build Done Right (Questions 1–20)
1. What is the core principle of design-build project delivery?
A. The owner contracts separately with a designer and a constructor who are required to
work together
B. A single entity holds a single contract with the owner for both the design and construction
of a project
C. The designer is hired by the construction manager to produce the construction
documents
D. The owner manages separate contracts for design and construction with a guaranteed
maximum price
Answer: B
2. The DBIA's "Design-Build Done Right" philosophy is based on which fundamental
principle?
A. The owner must retain a separate engineer to oversee the design-builder
B. The design-builder is solely responsible for all project risk without exception
C. The owner, design-builder, and other stakeholders work together in an integrated,
collaborative process
D. Design-build is only suitable for large, complex public works projects
Answer: C
3. Which project delivery method creates the greatest potential for cost savings through
value engineering during the design phase?
A. Design-Bid-Build
B. Design-Build
C. Construction Manager at Risk
D. Multiple Prime Contracting
Answer: B
4. What is the primary differentiator between Design-Build (DB) and Design-Bid-Build
(DBB)?
A. In DB, the owner selects the lowest bidder; in DBB, the owner selects the best value
B. In DB, one entity is accountable for both design and construction; in DBB, the owner
manages separate contracts
C. In DB, the designer works for the contractor; in DBB, the designer works for the owner
D. In DB, construction cannot begin until design is 100% complete; in DBB, it can
Answer: B
5. According to DBIA, what is the purpose of the "Big Room" or co-location concept?
A. To provide a large, shared workspace to reduce office rental costs for the design-builder
B. To enable co-location of the integrated team to foster collaboration, rapid
,2
communication, and proactive problem-solving
C. To establish a physical location for the owner's project manager to oversee the
contractor's daily work
D. To create a formal meeting space for dispute resolution and claims negotiation
Answer: B
6. The DBIA purpose statement states that DBIA is the only organization that _____, _____,
and _____ best practices in design-build project delivery.
A. defines, teaches, promotes
B. researches, develops, enforces
C. creates, mandates, regulates
D. studies, publishes, certifies
Answer: A
7. What is a "best practice" in the context of DBIA?
A. A mandatory regulation that all design-builders must follow
B. The belief that there is a technique, method or process that is more effective at delivering
a particular outcome than any other
C. A legal requirement established by the owner
D. A financial metric used to measure project success
Answer: B
8. How many Best Practices does DBIA identify?
A. 5
B. 10
C. 15
D. 20
Answer: B
9. What are the three topics that DBIA Best Practices are organized into?
A. Planning, Design, Construction
B. Procurement, Contracting, Execution
C. Bidding, Awarding, Building
D. Design, Engineering, Management
Answer: B
10. What are the "Implementing Techniques" in DBIA's framework?
A. Mandatory procedures required by law
B. Discrete ways to implement the Best Practices, essentially "mini" best practices
C. Alternative project delivery methods
D. Contract templates provided by DBIA
Answer: B
, 3
11. How many Implementing Techniques does DBIA identify?
A. 10
B. 25
C. 59
D. 100
Answer: C
12. One key factor in project success is the Owner's choice of ______ system and ______
approach.
A. design, construction
B. project delivery, procurement
C. contracting, payment
D. management, financial
Answer: B
13. The owner's choice of project delivery system and procurement approach establishes
how the project is ______.
A. funded
B. executed
C. designed
D. insured
Answer: B
14. What is the core of every DBIA certification course?
A. Contract Law
B. Design-Build Done Right
C. Project Management
D. Cost Estimating
Answer: B
15. What are the 3 "fixes" to the trust issue in design-build?
A. Picking the right DB team; giving flexibility, opportunity to succeed, and accountability;
rewarding for superior performance
B. Hiring more lawyers; increasing insurance; adding penalties
C. Reducing scope; shortening schedule; cutting costs
D. Separating design and construction; increasing oversight; adding inspections
Answer: A
16. Best Practice No. 1 states: an Owner should conduct proactive and ______ assessment
of the unique ______ of its project and its organization before deciding to use DB.
A. objective, characteristics
B. subjective, features
C. financial, costs
