IPD ... Not!

There I was - listening to a panel discussion led by an AGC representative.  Seven leaders from seven major construction companies.  Not a one has done a real, honest-to-goodness three-party Integrated Project Delivery contract.

I asked many of them directly why not.  The answers were varied:

• The lawyers hate them
• They can't be done by public agencies
• They will only happen when an owner drives the process
• Nobody wants to give up the ability to have a contract with recourse

Actually, they're all mostly true.

This idea has now been around for a number of years, and may continue to gain steam; but implementation has been arduous. There was interesting contrast to IDP during the evening - BIM. The implementation of this software and technology is now seen as SOP - almost mandatory.  Noone disagreed.

Why? BIM implementation has demonstrated positive consequences. But, importantly, its use doesn't seriously alter the contractual relationship of the typical three parties. (OK, I know - there's always the argument about "who owns the model?")

Now - I like cooperative ventures as much as the next person. Continuing the IPD conversation advances that concept. I just won't hold my breath waiting for the contracts to appear.