The IPMA (Integrated Project Management Approach) method is a

design process A design is the concept or proposal for an object, process, or system. The word ''design'' refers to something that is or has been intentionally created by a thinking agent, and is sometimes used to refer to the inherent nature of something ...

method that was started in 1984. The integrated project delivery approach is a project delivery method that emphasizes

collaboration Collaboration (from Latin ''com-'' "with" + ''laborare'' "to labor", "to work") is the process of two or more people, entities or organizations working together to complete a task or achieve a goal. Collaboration is similar to cooperation. The ...

accountability In ethics and governance, accountability is equated with answerability, culpability, liability, and the expectation of account-giving. As in an aspect of governance, it has been central to discussions related to problems in the public secto ...

, and

control Control may refer to: Basic meanings Economics and business * Control (management), an element of management * Control, an element of management accounting * Comptroller (or controller), a senior financial officer in an organization * Controlling ...

, aiming to reduce

risks In simple terms, risk is the possibility of something bad happening. Risk involves uncertainty about the effects/implications of an activity with respect to something that humans value (such as health, well-being, wealth, property or the environ ...

Details

In 1984, the construction of a

Four Seasons Hotel Four Seasons Hotels Limited, trading as Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, is a Canadian luxury hotel and resort company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Four Seasons currently operates more than 100 hotels and resorts worldwide.David Se ...

in Los Angeles was started by Anthony Mason of AMAPM (Anthony Mason Associates Project Management). The traditional

design–bid–build Design–bid–build (or design/bid/build, and abbreviated D–B–B or D/B/B accordingly), also known as Design–tender (or "design/tender"), traditional method, or hardbid, is a project delivery method in which the agency or owner contracts wit ...

(D/B/B) approach led to disagreements among the project team.

Project Management Project management is the process of supervising the work of a Project team, team to achieve all project goals within the given constraints. This information is usually described in project initiation documentation, project documentation, crea ...

is crucial across various project disciplines, especially in today's dynamic and

competitive Competition is a rivalry where two or more parties strive for a common goal which cannot be shared: where one's gain is the other's loss (an example of which is a zero-sum game). Competition can arise between entities such as organisms, indi ...

environment. Effective project delivery benefits from a

collaborative Collaboration (from Latin ''com-'' "with" + ''laborare'' "to labor", "to work") is the process of two or more people, entities or organizations working together to complete a task or achieve a goal. Collaboration is similar to cooperation. The f ...

, team-based approach. While Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and

LEAN Construction Lean construction is a combination of operational research and practical development in design and construction with an adoption of lean manufacturing principles and practices to the end-to-end design and construction process. Lean Construction ...

methods have shown potential, they have not become the industry's preferred methods. A scalable, adaptable, and collaborative approach is needed for everyday projects. To address these challenges, a method called "Intent of Design" (IGMP) was implemented. The "IGMP/GMP method" was later identified as the IPMA method, taught at the GSD since 2011. This method involved integrating the general contractor (GC) earlier in the design process and using schematic stage drawings, with the collaboration of the

architect An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...

s and

engineer Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who Invention, invent, design, build, maintain and test machines, complex systems, structures, gadgets and materials. They aim to fulfill functional objectives and requirements while ...

s. The GC would then provide an initial

guaranteed maximum price A guaranteed maximum price (also known as GMP, not-to-exceed price, NTE, or NTX) contract is a cost-type contract (also known as an open-book contract) such that the contractor is compensated for actual costs incurred plus a fixed fee, which is lim ...

(GMP) to try to minimize the construction cost. The method also involved competitive subcontractor bidding. IPMA was used on over 120 projects and has been documented by

Harvard University Harvard University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the History of the Puritans in North America, Puritan clergyma ...

. The method is currently taught at the

Harvard Graduate School of Design The Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) is the graduate school of design at Harvard University, a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It offers master's and doctoral programs in architecture, landscape architecture, urba ...

References

{{Reflist Project management