Glossary of Terms

 

Resources

 
C E F G I L M P Q R S
B
Base fee

The portion of compensation guaranteed to the supply team, regardless of project outcomes. This can either be structured as a fixed fee/lump sum or as a cost-plus with a maximum and may or may not include a profit margin under an IPD contract (Wilson 2014, 69).

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

A digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility,which is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility, forming a reliable basis for decisions for design and construction, operations, or demolition (National BIM Standard US 2015).

C
Change order

Written orders to the contractor signed by the owner, architect, and contractor, issued after execution of the contract, authorizing a change in the work or an adjustment in the contract sum or contract time (Maginnis Law 2011).

Charrette

An intensive workshop in which various stakeholders and experts are brought together to address a particular design issue (Todd 2013).

Cost contingency

An allowance factored into the estimate, designed to cover items of cost which are not known exactly at the time of the estimate but which occur on a statistical basis (Jelen and Black 1983).

E
Energy use intensity (EUI)

A metric that expresses a building’s energy use as a function of its size or other characteristics. It is usually expressed as energy per square foot per year (Energy Star, n.d.).

F
First cost

The prime cost, or the direct cost in terms of materials and labor involved in producing a commodity, such as a building.

G
Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) structure

A type of contract where the contractor is compensated for actual costs incurred and a fixed fee up to a not-to-be-exceeded ceiling price. Some public agencies require GMP clauses.

I
Integrated Design Process (IDP)

A framework in which project team members from all disciplines work together early and often throughout the project design process (Cole and Hatten, n.d.).

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)

According to the AIA California Council (2014), “Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is a project delivery method that integrates people, systems, business structures and practices into a process that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to reduce waste and optimize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication and construction. The Integrated Project Delivery method contains, at a minimum, all of the following elements:

  • Continuous involvement of owner and key designers and builders from early design through project completion,
  • Business interests aligned through shared risk/reward, including financial gain at risk that is dependent upon project outcomes,
  • Joint project control by owner and key designers and builders,
  • A multi-party agreement or equal interlocking agreements, and
  • Limited liability among owner and key designers and builders.”
Integrative Process

A framework in which all project team members are engaged in an intentional process of discovering mutually beneficial interrelationships and synergies between systems and components, in a way that unifies technical and living systems, so that high levels of building performance, human performance, and environmental benefits are achieved” (Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability 2012). An integrative process attempts to shift fragmented, dominantly technical perspectives to whole-systems thinking (7group and Bill Reed, 2009).

IPD-ish

Compared to full IPD projects that employ multi-party contracts, IPDish approaches treat IPD as a philosophy, often using some level of shared risk and reward (Tepfer 2013).

L
Lean design and construction

A production management–based approach to project delivery that extends the objectives of a lean production system (maximize value and minimize waste) to specific construction management techniques. (Lean Construction Institute 2015).

LEED AP

A professional LEED credential an individual obtains to specialize in one or more of five LEED rating system categories. (US Green Building Council, n.d.).

M
Mental model

The worldview through which an individual operates (7group and Bill Reed, 2009).

P
Partnering

A formal management process in which all parties to a project voluntarily agree at the outset to adopt a cooperative, team-based approach to project development and problem resolution to eliminate—or at least reduce—conflicts, litigation, and claims (US General Services Administration 2015).

Project Roadmap

A schedule and task spreadsheet template described in the Integrative Process ANSI Standard (MTS 2012).

Pull planning system

A method of advancing work when the next-in-line customer is ready to use it. A “Request” from the customer signals that the work is needed and is “pulled” from the performer. Pull releases work when the system is ready to use it (Lean Construction Institute 2015).

Pulse Model

The Integrative Process model, outlined in the ANSI standard, of research, analysis, and meetings on a repeating cycle that progressively approximates and refines the design solution.

Q
Quality assurance

The planned and systematic activities implemented so that quality requirements for a product or service will be fulfilled (ASQ 2014).

Quality control

The observation techniques and activities used to fulfill requirements for quality (ASQ 2014).

R
Request for Information (RFI)

A procedure used in the construction industry in cases where it is necessary to confirm the interpretation of a detail, specification, or note on the construction drawings or to secure a documented directive or clarification from the architect or owner.

S
Specifier

Someone who draws up specifications for a building project that define the qualitative requirements of materials and products to ensure that everyone understands the product requirements (Betts 2000).