Why Design-Build and VDC Are Transforming Construction: Insights from My Conversation with DBIA’s Brian Skripac

The construction industry is at a crossroads. Rising costs, labor shortages, and increasing complexity demand more than incremental change, they require a mindset shift.

In a recent conversation with Brian Skripac, DBIA, CM-BIM, of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), we explored how Design-Build delivery and Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) are not simply trends. They’re becoming essential catalysts for efficiency, collaboration, and innovation in the built environment.

And the data backs it up: with design-build projected to drive over $2.6 trillion in U.S. construction spending from 2024–2028, it’s clear this model is no longer ‘alternative’ it’s becoming the preferred collaborative delivery method.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation

1. Efficiency Is About People, Not Just Speed

DBIA and FMI benchmarking show design-build projects deliver up to 102% faster and experience 3.8% less cost growth compared to design-bid-build. Owners want fewer surprises. They want stability. Design-build creates the environment where that becomes possible.

2. Design-Build Has Entered the Mainstream

Nearly half of all U.S. construction spending now uses design-build, and traditional design-bid-build continues to decline. Why? Because one contract fosters aligned incentives, reduces finger-pointing, and accelerates decision-making across disciplines.

3. Technology Alone Won’t Save Us, Culture Will

We talked about how resistance to technology isn’t a software problem; it’s a psychological one. Fear of risk, uncertainty, and new workflows can slow even the best innovations.

Success requires:

• Clear expectations (Brian emphasized the role of LOD standards)

• Psychological safety

• Leaders who value curiosity over compliance

Without cultural readiness, even the best VDC tools underperform.

4. Industrialized Construction Is the Next Frontier

Prefab and modularization aren’t buzzwords, they’re economic necessities. The U.S. modular market reached $20.3B in 2024 and is projected to hit $25.4B by 2029.

As Brian and I discussed, these strategies help fill workforce gaps, stabilize schedules, and reduce rework, making them a vital complement to design-build delivery.

5. Data Has Become a Differentiator

Owners aren’t just buying buildings, they’re buying performance. They want measurable ROI, faster schedules, lower coordination costs, and lifecycle value. DBIA and FMI analyses continue to show design-build outperforming traditional delivery on cost, schedule, and overall project performance.

Why This Matters

Our industry is facing a 500,000-worker labor gap every year. 94% of contractors report open craft positions. 45% say labor shortages directly delay projects.

We can’t solve today’s labor challenge with yesterday’s delivery models.

Design-build, VDC, and industrialized construction won’t fix everything on their own—but combined with cultural readiness, psychological safety, and curiosity-driven leadership, they offer a path to better projects, healthier teams, and stronger communities.

Action Steps for Leaders and Teams:

• Explore DBIA Resources: Their primers and position statements are great for understanding delivery models and VDC best practices.

• Start Small, And Start Now: Pilot design-build on a project. Test prefab early. Learn and iterate.

• Lead with Curiosity: Ask, ‘What delivery model best serves this project?’ and ‘How can technology solve real problems, not just look good in a demo?’

Join the Conversation

Have you worked on a design-build project? What challenges or wins did you experience? Drop your thoughts below, I’d love to hear your perspective.

✅ Want the full conversation?

Listen to Episode 9 with Brian Skripac: Efficiency in Construction Leadership: How Collaboration Drives Innovation.

References

• Design‑Build Institute of America. (2025, February 14). 2025 Design‑Build Data Sourcebook: $2.6 trillion reasons to build smarter. DBIA. Retrieved from https://dbia.org/blog/dbias-2025-design-build-data-sourcebook-2-6-trillion-reasons-to-build-smarter/ [dbia.org]

• Design‑Build Institute of America. (n.d.). New research shows design‑build continues to deliver projects most efficiently. DBIA. Retrieved from https://dbia.org/new-research-shows-design-build-continues-to-deliver-project-most-efficiently/ [dbia.org]

• Associated Builders and Contractors. (2025). Construction industry must attract 439,000 workers in 2025 to meet demand. ABC.

• BuilderOnline. (2024). Survey: 94% of construction firms struggle to find qualified craft workers.

• Associated General Contractors of America & NCCER. (2025). 2025 Construction Workforce Survey: Workforce shortages causing project delays. AGC/NCCER.

Activating Curiosity Podcast is part of the Curiosity Building Experiences® and brought to you by Connective Consulting Group and Connective Coaching.