by Stephen Scaff Limbach Facility Services

IPD to Construction Industry:

Get productive!

an industry-wide initiative is currently aimed

at ways to improve productivity, lower costs and in-

crease sustainability, traditional project delivery

methods must undergo a fundamental structural

change. Integrated Project Delivery, or IPD, is rede-

fining the entire building process, providing contrac-

tors with unparalleled flexibility and foresight.

Through the IPD process, Limbach Company can

leverage model-based technology, such as BIM, to

engage in a concurrent engineering process that

permits all project stakeholders to collaborate on a

building’s design, construction and lifecycle. This

globalized functionality with other construction com-

panies binds team success to project success, shar-

ing risk and reward and ensuring optimized project

outcome.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) defines

IPD as “a project delivery approach that integrates

people, systems, business structures and practices

into a process that collaboratively harnesses the

talents and insights of all participants to optimize

project results, increase value to the owner, reduce

waste, and maximize efficiency through all phases

of design, fabrication, and construction.”

This definition was published in a 2007 report

created by the AIA California Council titled: Inte-

grated Project Delivery: A Guide. The intention of

this guide was to provide the AEC industry with a

model to realize design and construction conver-

gence by listing the principles of IPD and detailing

the steps involved when establishing an integrated

project. The report was created in response to what

AIA view as major inefficiencies in the traditional

delivery methods dominating today’s marketplace.

According to Markku Allison, resource architect for

AIA Strategy and Business Development, “Project

delivery methods must change to increase the

quality, cost effectiveness and sustainability of the

built environment.”

In supporting AIA’s argument for the necessity of

an industry-wide change, the report identifies how

construction productivity has seriously suffered due

to a lack in interoperability; sighting a 2004 study

by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST had commissioned the study in an

attempt to quantify the efficiency losses in the U.S. capital facilities industry that are a result of inadequate

interoperability. The report examined the various elements involved in a construction project, including de-

sign, engineering, facilities management, business processes, software systems and redundant paper re-

cords management across the entire facility life cycle. The NIST estimated that poor interoperability cost the

U.S. capital facilities industry $15.8 billion in 2002 – which is likely a conservative figure. In comparison, sta-

tistics published by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that in the last 40 years, while non-farm productivity

has increased by over 200 percent, productivity in the construction industry has actually declined.

BIM-enabled Virtual Construction is allowing for the high level of convergence between project stake-

holders required to solve this issue of productivity. The full potential of IPD is unlocked through BIM, as it in-

troduces unprecedented levels coordination and efficiency to the industry.

By using IPD in conjunction with BIM, real-world performance and facility operation can be precisely de-

picted in the pre-construction phase. All environmental elements can be considered and planned for accord-

ingly, enabling a real-time understanding of how design decisions will impact energy consumption and build-

ing lifecycle. Also, potential design conflicts can be identified and corrected prior to construction, reducing

field coordination errors and saving serious time and money.

Client demands and cost considerations are driving significant and rapid changes in methods of project

delivery. Without a doubt, the future of the construction industry lies in Integrated Project Delivery. Resulting

from a convergence of opportunities brought about by advances in interoperable software and data systems,

IPD can satisfy the building industry’s long-standing desire for more predictable, accurate and responsible

outcomes. As among the first mechanical contractors to embrace IPD, Limbach has set a precedent for all

other companies to follow. IPD will enable us to deliver projects faster, cheaper and with increased energy

efficiency.

All of AIA’s print resources on IPD can be found at: www.aia.org/about/initiatives/AIAS076700.

Stephen Scaff handles corporate communications for Limbach Facility Services LLC. Limbach is a me-

chanical contractor and service firm headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa, with 11 strategic locations throughout

the U.S. The Company’s ongoing initiative is aimed at increasing productivity and sustainability while lower-

ing costs and energy consumption. From BIM-enhanced building design and construction to lifecycle mainte-

nance, Limbach offers the entire spectrum of energy solutions services.

Find out more at www.limbachinc.com