What is the most traditional method for project construction selection?

The design/bid/build (DBB) method is recognized as the most traditional approach for project construction selection. This method involves a clear distinction between the design and construction phases of a project. In this approach, the owner first hires a designer or architect to create detailed plans and specifications for the project. Once the design is complete, the owner solicits bids from contractors based on those plans. The contractor who submits the lowest qualified bid is then awarded the contract to construct the project.

This traditional method emphasizes a linear process, where roles and responsibilities are explicitly defined, allowing for greater control over design quality and project specifications. The separation of design and construction can lead to improved project outcomes since the design phase can be carefully planned and finalized before construction begins. As a result, this method has been widely used in public sector projects, making it a preferred choice in many municipalities and governmental bodies.

While other methods such as design/build, lowest bid aware process, and quality-based selection have their own advantages, they often incorporate a more collaborative approach or prioritize different criteria, such as cost or quality, in ways that deviate from this traditional sequential structure. Therefore, the design/bid/build method maintains its status as the most established and widely utilized approach in project construction selection