Construction Dictionary
Project Delivery Methods Terms
Understand construction project delivery methods, team structures, risk allocation, and collaboration models used to design and build projects.
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70 terms in project delivery methods.
| Term | Short name | Plain-English definition |
|---|---|---|
| A | ||
| AEC Architecture, Engineering, and Construction | Architecture, Engineering, and Construction | AEC refers to the architecture, engineering, and construction industries together. |
| AECO Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Owners | Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Owners | AECO refers to the connected owner, architecture, engineering, and construction teams involved in the built environment. |
| API Application Programming Interface | Application Programming Interface | An API is a defined way for software systems to exchange data or trigger actions. |
| Architect's Services | - | Architect's services are the professional services the architect agrees to provide for a project. |
| Asset Information Model | - | An asset information model is the structured information used to operate and maintain an asset after construction. |
| B | ||
| Basis of Design | - | Basis of Design is the written record of design assumptions, criteria, and rationale for selected systems or approaches. |
| BCF BIM Collaboration Format | BIM Collaboration Format | BCF is a file and workflow format used to exchange model-based issues without sending the entire BIM model. |
| BIM Building Information Modeling | Building Information Modeling | BIM is a digital model-based process used to coordinate design, construction, and building information. |
| BIM Execution Plan | - | A BIM execution plan defines how project teams will create, exchange, manage, and use BIM information. |
| BMS Building Management System | Building Management System | A BMS is a system used to monitor and control building equipment such as HVAC, lighting, alarms, and energy systems. |
| BOD Basis of Design | Basis of Design | BOD describes the assumptions, criteria, systems, and rationale that support design decisions. |
| C | ||
| CAD Computer-Aided Design | Computer-Aided Design | CAD is software-based drafting and design used to create drawings, details, layouts, and technical documentation. |
| CAFM Computer-Aided Facilities Management | Computer-Aided Facilities Management | CAFM is software used to manage facility spaces, assets, maintenance, moves, and operations data. |
| CD Construction Documents | Construction Documents | CDs are the drawings and specifications used for permitting, bidding, and construction. |
| CDE Common Data Environment | Common Data Environment | A CDE is a shared digital place where project information is stored, managed, and exchanged. |
| Clash Detection | - | Clash detection is the process of finding conflicts between building systems or model elements before construction. |
| CM Construction Management / Construction Manager | Construction Management / Construction Manager | CM can refer to construction management as a service or to the construction manager responsible for managing project delivery. |
| CMAR Construction Manager at Risk | Construction Manager at Risk | CMAR is a delivery method where a construction manager provides preconstruction services and then takes responsibility for delivering the project within an agreed price. |
| CMMS Computerized Maintenance Management System | Computerized Maintenance Management System | A CMMS is software used to manage maintenance work orders, assets, schedules, parts, and facility operations. |
| COBie Construction Operations Building Information Exchange | Construction Operations Building Information Exchange | COBie is a structured data format for handing over building asset information. |
| Constructible Model | - | A constructible model is a model developed with enough detail, accuracy, and trade information to support actual construction work. |
| Construction Manager as Adviser | - | Construction manager as adviser is a delivery structure where the construction manager advises the owner but does not hold the prime construction contract. |
| Construction Manager as Constructor | - | Construction manager as constructor is a delivery structure where the construction manager also takes responsibility for construction. |
| Construction Manager at Risk | - | Construction Manager at Risk is a delivery method where the construction manager advises during preconstruction and later assumes construction cost and delivery risk. |
| Coordination Model | - | A coordination model is a combined or referenced model used to coordinate multiple disciplines or trades. |
| D | ||
| DD Design Development | Design Development | DD is the design phase where the approved schematic design is developed with more detail, coordination, and system decisions. |
| Delivery Method | - | Delivery method is the contract and team structure used to design, procure, and build a project. |
| Design-Bid-Build | - | Design-Bid-Build is a delivery method where design is completed before the project is competitively bid and built. |
| Design-Build | - | Design-Build is a delivery method where one entity is responsible for both design and construction services. |
| Design-Builder | - | A design-builder is the entity responsible to the owner for both design and construction under a design-build agreement. |
| Digital Twin | - | A digital twin is a digital representation of a physical asset connected to information about its condition, operation, or history. |
| E | ||
| EAM Enterprise Asset Management | Enterprise Asset Management | EAM is the management of physical assets across an organization using systems, data, maintenance plans, and lifecycle tracking. |
| Employer's Information Requirements | - | Employer's information requirements describe the information an owner expects project teams to deliver. |
| ERP Enterprise Resource Planning | Enterprise Resource Planning | ERP is business software used to manage finance, procurement, projects, inventory, people, and operations across an organization. |
| Exchange Requirement | - | An exchange requirement defines what information must be delivered between project participants at a specific point. |
| F | ||
| FM Facility Management | Facility Management | FM is the management of a building or facility after construction so it can operate, maintain, and support occupants effectively. |
| G | ||
| Georeference | - | To georeference is to connect digital information to real-world coordinates. |
| GMP Guaranteed Maximum Price | Guaranteed Maximum Price | A GMP is a contract amount that sets the maximum price an owner should pay for the defined construction scope, subject to approved changes. |
| Guaranteed Maximum Price | - | Guaranteed Maximum Price is a contract pricing structure that caps the owner's payment for defined work, subject to approved changes. |
| I | ||
| IDS Information Delivery Specification | Information Delivery Specification | IDS is a machine-readable way to describe what information a BIM model should contain. |
| IFC Industry Foundation Classes | Industry Foundation Classes | IFC is an open data format used to exchange BIM information between different software tools. |
| Information Requirement | - | An information requirement describes the data an owner, designer, contractor, or operator needs for a defined purpose. |
| IPD Integrated Project Delivery | Integrated Project Delivery | IPD is a collaborative delivery approach that aligns owner, designer, and builder incentives around shared project outcomes. |
| IWMS Integrated Workplace Management System | Integrated Workplace Management System | An IWMS is software used to manage facilities, real estate, space, maintenance, assets, and workplace services. |
| L | ||
| Laser Scanning | - | Laser scanning is a reality capture method that measures physical spaces and creates point cloud data. |
| Level of Information Need | - | Level of information need describes how much geometry, data, and documentation is needed for a model use. |
| LOD Level of Development | Level of Development | LOD describes the reliability, detail, and development level of elements in a BIM model. |
| M | ||
| MEP Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing | Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing | MEP refers to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in a building. |
| Model Coordination | - | Model coordination is the process of reviewing and aligning discipline or trade models before work is built. |
| Model Federation | - | Model federation is the process of combining separate discipline or trade models into one coordinated view. |
| MVD Model View Definition | Model View Definition | An MVD defines a specific subset of model information needed for a particular BIM exchange. |
| N | ||
| NTP Notice to Proceed | Notice to Proceed | An NTP is a formal notice authorizing a contractor to begin work or start a defined contract activity. |
| O | ||
| O&M Operations and Maintenance | Operations and Maintenance | O&M refers to the information and activities needed to operate and maintain a facility or installed system. |
| OSoR Owner's Statement of Requirements | Owner's Statement of Requirements | An OSoR is an owner's written statement of project needs, goals, constraints, and performance requirements. |
| P | ||
| PIM Product Information Management | Product Information Management | PIM is the management of structured product data used across catalogs, specifications, procurement, and digital workflows. |
| PM Project Management | Project Management | PM is the management of project scope, cost, schedule, communication, risk, procurement, and delivery. |
| Point Cloud | - | A point cloud is a collection of measured points captured by laser scanning or reality capture equipment. |
| PPD Preliminary Project Documents | Preliminary Project Documents | PPD are early project documents used to communicate initial scope, requirements, concepts, assumptions, or criteria. |
| Preconstruction | - | Preconstruction is the planning phase before construction begins, when teams refine scope, budget, schedule, logistics, and procurement strategy. |
| Project Information Model | - | A project information model is the structured project information developed during design and construction. |
| Project Manager | - | A project manager is responsible for managing project scope, cost, schedule, contracts, communication, and risk. |
| Property Set | - | A property set is a grouped collection of data fields attached to a model element. |
| R | ||
| Reality Capture | - | Reality capture is the use of photos, scans, drones, or sensors to document real-world site conditions digitally. |
| Revit Family | - | A Revit family is a reusable model component used in Autodesk Revit projects. |
| S | ||
| Scan to BIM | - | Scan to BIM is the process of using laser scan or reality capture data to create or update a BIM model. |
| SD Schematic Design | Schematic Design | SD is the early design phase where the project concept, major systems, scope, and general layout are developed. |
| SDK Software Development Kit | Software Development Kit | An SDK is a set of tools, libraries, documentation, or examples used to build software integrations or applications. |
| Shared Coordinates | - | Shared coordinates are a common coordinate setup used to align models, drawings, surveys, and site information. |
| U | ||
| UI User Interface | User Interface | UI is the part of a software product that users see and interact with. |
| V | ||
| VDC Virtual Design and Construction | Virtual Design and Construction | VDC is the use of digital models, planning, coordination, and project information to improve construction delivery. |