Blog
Three Ways to Get More Value from Linear Progressive Design-Build
PDB is changing how water and wastewater projects are delivered and how linear projects move from concept to construction. Done well, it brings key stakeholders together early to refine scope, manage risk, and align expectations before final pricing and execution.
How Should Digital Operations Be Considered in Collaborative Delivery?
In water and wastewater projects, collaborative delivery has improved how teams align around design, risk, and construction. But as systems become more connected and data driven, another question is emerging: When should digital operations enter the conversation?
Is Life Cycle Cost a Design Criterion or Just a Good Intention?
Whether you’re managing a federal water treatment facility, a municipal wastewater system, or an industrial process plant, the question is the same: Is it smarter to put the Cadillac in the ground and forget about it for 50 years, or buy the less expensive model and budget…
Why CMAR Delivers More Value for Owners Than Its Up-front Cost Suggests
When owners consider CMAR delivery, one concern tends to come up early: Doesn’t CMAR cost more? It is a fair question. The real question is whether that early investment helps owners avoid larger costs, delays, and risk later. In my experience, the answer is yes.
Fixed-Price Design-Build and Smart BIM: A Playbook for Water Owners
Fixed-price design-build (FPDB) can deliver the price certainty that boards and city councils expect and the collaboration that complex water programs require, especially if the commercial model is paired with smart building information modeling (BIM) and disciplined,...
The Underused Value of the Manufacturer: Why Early Engagement Matters in Collaborative Delivery
Collaborative delivery continues to gain traction across the water and wastewater sector as owners seek better outcomes in cost, schedule, and long-term performance.
Top Reasons Utility Leaders Should Attend WCDA’s 20th Anniversary Symposium
An outstanding program of activities awaits attendees of WCDA’s 20th Anniversary Symposium taking place on July 27-29, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. The event brings together water utilities, practitioners, industry partners, and collaborative delivery stakeholders.
Who Is at Risk in construction Management at-Risk Projects?
At some point in nearly every capital planning meeting, someone asks the question, “When we choose construction management at-risk (CMAR), who is really holding the risk?”
Communication: The Foundation of Collaborative Delivery Success
Collaborative delivery methods—such as design-build, progressive design-build, and construction management at-risk—are transforming how water and wastewater projects are delivered. While each model differs in structure, they all rely on one fundamental principle: clear, consistent, and inclusive communication among all project participants.
Shaping the Future of CMAR: Positive Insights from the WCDA Contract Survey
Collaborative delivery continues to gain momentum throughout the water sector, which comes with a growing demand for clear, consistent, easy-to-use contract documents. Recognizing this need, the Water Collaborative Delivery Association launched a major initiative to generate a comprehensive construction management at-risk contract template for water and wastewater utilities.
