Project Delivery Methods

Here at Marathon Management, Inc we have been delivering projects in many different models for over 30 years. There are several different types of project delivery methods. The factors that influence project delivery can be complex, and often time difficult. From an Owners perspective factors having influence on a successful project include:

  • Budget
  • Design
  • Schedule
  • Risk Assessment
  • Owners Level of Expertise

Owner’s familiarity with the construction process and level of in-house management capability has a large influence on the selection and project delivery method. Here are the different types of project delivery methods.

Traditional Approach (Design – Bid – Bid Build)

The “traditional approach” design-bid-build format remains the most popular delivery method for construction projects. In the format the Construction Managers works with the Owners acting as his primary agent. Together they manage the overall process and administrate all contracts.



Multiple-Prime Contracting

The “multiple-prime contracting gives the owner the most control over the time and cost of the project”. The Owner holds separate contracts with the Designers, and Contractors of various disciplines, such as general construction, structural, mechanical, and electrical. In this system the Owner and the Construction Manager manage the overall schedule and budget during Pre Construction thru the entire Construction and Post Construction Phases.

Multi –Prime contracting allows for the opportunity to “Fast Track” the project through phased construction. Phased construction allows for the start of work while plans and specifications are being developed. The Project is bid in phases such as site work, sire utilities, and one or more general construction packages for the different building phases. The Owners get the direct benefit of time savings, cost savings, and better control due to the direct contracts being managed by the Construction Manager.

This system also provides an opportunity to manage costs through the phased procurement of contracts. For example, the Construction Manger works directly with the owner to procure major material items – such as structural steel or major mechanical equipment-which may provide significant savings by avoiding Contractor mark-ups. Additionally, the Construction Manager has the responsibility to be sure the initial packages are bid within budget and sequence packages can be bid within budget as the designs is finalized. This duty is particularly important as the Owner and the Construction Manager together can work to keep the control of the project budget and project schedule.



At Risk Construction Management

Under this method, the Construction Manager holds the risk of subletting the construction work to trade subcontractors and guaranteeing completion of the project for a fixed, negotiated price following completion of the design in a similar manner as the traditional approach. However, in this scenario, the Construction Manager also provides professional advisory professional management assistance and leadership to the owner prior to construction, offering Schedule, Budget, and Constructability advice during the pre-construction phase. Thus instead of a traditional general contractor, the Owner deals with a hybrid of a Construction Manager and a General Contractor. Most fee structures are GMP, Gross Maximum Price or Lump Sum for the project, and the CM assumes the risk for delivering the project within a specific schedule for a fixed budget.

The Advantages of using the CM-at risk approach as a project delivery method include:

  • Earlier development of effective working relationships for the project team
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  • Benefit of constructor’s input during the design phase.
  • Potential cost security for the owner, the guarantee of the construction costs before the contract documents are complete
    • .
  • Cost savings / sharing incentives if the final construction is less than the GMP.


Design Build

Design Build project delivery is the perfect solution in addressing the limitations of other delivery methods. The Owner benefits from the simplicity of having one party responsible for both the developments of the design and the execution of the construction for the project. Under this method, we contract directly with the Design and Build team giving the Owner one single source of responsibility.

Advantages of the Design-build delivery system it allows for fast tracking and or phasing of the project which are key advantages not found in the traditional method. We are design Build experts. Our Design Build team of Professional Architects, and Construction Managers have over 80 years of combined experience together. We provide early schematic project designs, budgets and schedules in an open book format tailored to your specific project. The Owner can hold all contracts and have 24/7 access to all project information.



Professional Responsibility Construction Management Services

“Construction Management is the practice of professional management to the planning, design, and construction project from inception to completion for the purpose of controlling, time, scope, cost, and quality. Construction Management is a fundamental realignment of the traditional construction relationships.”

Construction Managers provide a program of management techniques and expertise tailored to Owner and project needs and independent of the chosen contract form or project delivery method. It is this management approach that makes construction management unique.

“Construction Managers are experts in integrating comprehensive project controls to manage the critical issues of Time Cost, Scope and Quality”

We are experts in Agency relationship Construction Management services, acting as the Owners primary agent. We provide these services in an Open Book format giving the owners 24/7 access to all project information.