Design-Build & Alternate Delivery Methods (from an Engineer’s Perspective)

Course Description

This course examines project delivery methods from an engineering perspective, with a focus on how alternative delivery approaches reshape professional practice, risk allocation, and decision-making processes. The presentation covers the full spectrum of delivery methods—from traditional Design-Bid-Build to Design-Build, Construction Manager at Risk (CMGC), and hybrid models—explaining how each approach structures collaboration, schedules, and accountability differently.

Through detailed case studies and real-world examples, participants will learn how delivery method selection directly influences when engineers engage in projects, how risk and responsibility shift earlier in the process, and why clarity—not just technical competence—becomes the primary tool for managing exposure. The course emphasizes practical strategies for protecting design intent, managing delegated design responsibilities, maintaining quality assurance under compressed schedules, and documenting decisions effectively in fast-paced, collaborative environments.

Designed for practicing engineers working across all project types, this course provides immediately applicable knowledge whether participants are currently working in traditional delivery or already involved in alternative delivery projects. By the end of the session, attendees will understand why owners are increasingly choosing alternate delivery methods, recognize how these choices affect engineering workflows and liability, and be equipped with concrete strategies to manage project delivery risks while maintaining professional standards.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the major project delivery methods.

2. Understand why owners are increasingly choosing alternate delivery methods.

3. Recognize how risk & responsibilities shift for engineers.

4. Apply practical strategies to manage project delivery risks.