A Readiness Model for Integrated Project Delivery

Abstract As the construction industry continues to embrace integrated project delivery (IPD) for its widely recognized benefits and efficiency improvements, the number of projects utilizing this approach is growing. Despite this trend, IPD represents a significant departure from the traditional, less collaborative, and less integrated methods that have long dominated the industry. Consequently, practical experience with IPD remains in development. Therefore, a readiness model to evaluate project-team readiness to implement IPD becomes essential in order to target and develop the necessary capabilities. To address this gap, this paper introduces and preliminarily evaluates a project-level IPD readiness model and assessment tool that provides a detailed picture of readiness across IPD capabilities and helps set clear expectations for project stakeholders. The model supports early-stage IPD implementation planning by offering a structured approach to assessing and improving readiness, ensuring that teams, resources, and plans are aligned with the collaborative and integrative demands of IPD. Guided by design science research (DSR) principles, the methodology integrates a thorough understanding of existing gaps, leverages prior knowledge, and then develops and refines the readiness assessment tool, complemented by a case-based application and preliminary evaluation step through two case studies. The Readiness Model includes two main components: an IPD Readiness Framework and an IPD Readiness Assessment Tool that classifies project readiness into five levels—emergent, low, moderate, high, and optimal—providing a structured path for assessing and advancing IPD project preparedness. This model lays the foundation for more standardized and consistent IPD implementation, ultimately contributing to its optimization as a collaborative approach within the construction industry.