R. W. Beck Confirms Growth In Water's Alternative Project Delivery

Boston, MA — Management consulting and engineering firm R. W. Beck, Inc., responding to the need in the marketplace for data regarding the use of Alternative Project Delivery to construct water and wastewater facilities, recently completed a nationwide survey confirming that more than half of the larger U.S. water and wastewater utilities have used some form of Alternative Project Delivery to successfully complete capital projects.

Utilities reported major drivers for switching to Alternative Delivery were time savings and reducing the problems associated with traditionally bid projects. Well over 90 percent of utility executives surveyed concurred that Alternative Project Delivery saves time, while nearly 75 percent agreed that Alternative Delivery promotes design innovation and effectively manages project risks. A significant majority of the survey respondents confirmed that Alternative Delivery is here to stay, with 85 percent agreeing that the current level of Alternative Delivery project activity will stay the same or increase.

Utility owners were also generous with advice about how to assure Alternative Project Delivery success, suggesting the need for: 1) strong internal advocacy, 2) clear definition of expected outcomes, and 3) considering project risks thoughtfully and assigning them appropriately.

Steve Gates, Senior Vice President of R. W. Beck, Inc. in Boston, says, "One particularly stunning conclusion of the survey is that 96 percent of the utilities that have used the design/build method of Alternative Project Delivery would do it again – almost universal satisfaction with this Alternative Delivery methodology." Gates, via e-mail at sgates@rwbeck.com, can be contacted for a copy.

SOURCE: R.W. Beck