The widespread growth of “design-build” presents ethical issues for engineers and architects. If these issues are not addressed it is likely public reaction to abuses the process invites will result in the loss of design-build as a construction delivery process. The dilemma for the engineer or architect posed by the conflict between the owner’s and general contractor’s interests in the design-build process is discussed, as are the ethical issues that arise when subjective criteria are used to award design-build contracts. This course offers steps that can be taken by individual engineers and engineering societies to resolve these ethical issues while retaining design-build as a construction delivery option. This course will illuminate ethical issues for engineers and architects arising from the design-build process, and will offer proposals for how the design and construction community can resolve these issues while retaining the positive aspects of the design-build process.

Learning Objectives

• Introduction
• What is Design-Build ?
• Construction Delivery and Construction Procurement Processes
• Subjective and Objective Criteria for Construction Procurement
• Ethical Issues
• Resolving the Ethical Issues
• The Road Forward