"The project delivery process begins when an owner articulates a need – a desired outcome, a set of values, and a series of constraints. The creative, collective mind of a design team communicates the need through words and illustrations to a builder who brings the concept to life. This collection of independent entities working together toward a common outcome epitomizes collaboration. High-functioning collaborative teams yield value for the owner while minimizing wasted effort – increasing the odds of success for all participants. However, existing project delivery and contracting methods present barriers to collaborative behavior: individuals work in silos to optimize their own limited scope, inflexible line-item budgets stifle creative problem solving, and liability concerns prevent the free flow of information. Being pushed by current economic pressures and pulled by daily advances in technology, new ideas for delivering projects are coalescing into Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). In a recent survey conducted by Structural Engineer magazine (May 2009), 89% of respondents indicated that within 15 years, most of the AEC industry will be using IPD. With this in mind, it’s important to understand what IPD is, what IPD isn’t, and how it could affect our profession..."