Developing flexibility through alternative project delivery methods for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project management business process

Abstract

Inflexibility, failure to adapt technology, and overly regulatory processes frustrate construction industry productivity and reduce the likelihood that large infrastructure projects will be delivered on-schedule and on-budget. Divergence from entrenched project delivery methods can provide flexibility to project managers and offers advantages for improving quality, collaboration, costs, and timeliness. The objective of this research is to provide the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recommendations for their Project Management Business Process (PMBP). This study reviews the current state of project management in USACE, conducts a structured systems architecture analysis of the PMBP, evaluates USACE project statistics, assesses alternative project delivery methods through a literature review, and provides case studies to consider the implementation impediments of alternative methods for public and private projects. USACE serves as the nation's largest public engineering agency with responsibilities in military construction, civil works, water navigation, environmental restoration, and disaster response. This research concludes with recommendations for selecting alternative project delivery methods best-fit to meet the distinct needs of each USACE business program. Explicitly, the application of Integrated Project Delivery is best suited for highly specialized, technical projects for military construction and interagency support, but also presents contractual challenges notyet adapted for USACE. Public Private Partnerships show promise for possible future implementation in civil works projects, but require further refinement through the USACE Pilot Program. Lastly, Construction Management at Risk is the most mature alternative method for USACE, and can provide Project Managers with additional options in fast-tracking and early contractor involvement. Essentially, the flexibility of PMBP project delivery should match the vast diversity of USACE's missions.