Does Design-Build (DB) Outperform Construction Management at Risk (CMAR)? A cost and schedule comparative study of DB projects and CMAR projects
Abstract
Design-Build (DB) and Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) are two
widely used alternative project delivery systems in the construction industry. Previous
studies have found inconclusive results on which of the two has better cost and schedule
performances when applied in construction projects. This study chose unit cost, change
order factor, cost growth, schedule growth, and construction intensity as the metrics to
measure the cost and schedule performance of both DB projects and CMAR projects. Two
statistical analysis tools, Analysis of Variance and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, were
applied to see if there is any difference between the two project delivery systems’ means
of the five measurements. The test results were used to determine which project delivery
system has better performance in the real world. The results showed that Design-Build is
superior to Construction Management at Risk in construction intensity, while Construction
Management at Risk has better performance on change order, cost growth, and schedule
growth. And there is no difference on unit cost.
Citation
Ma, Min (2017). Does Design-Build (DB) Outperform Construction Management at Risk (CMAR)? A cost and schedule comparative study of DB projects and CMAR projects. Master's thesis, Texas A & M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /173181.