Which statement about Design-Bid-Build is true?

• A. Drawings must be more complete earlier to manage change order risk
• B. It minimizes schedule duration
• C. Change orders are almost impossible
• D. It eliminates need for design documents

Answer: (A)

In Design-Bid-Build, the design team finishes the drawings and specifications before any contractor is brought in, so the project is bid and constructed based on those complete documents. Because the contractor’s price and work plan rely on what’s drawn and written, anything less than thorough, well-coordinated drawings can lead to change orders during construction. That’s why having drawings as complete and detailed as possible early is the best way to manage the risk and impact of changes. The other statements don’t fit: DBB typically doesn’t shorten the schedule because design, bidding, and construction happen in sequence; change orders are not rare or “almost impossible” in practice; and design documents are essential, not something the method eliminates.