DBIA Engages FMI to Clarify Owner Advisor Role in Design-Build

Industry research will define competencies, address inconsistency and strengthen how Owners engage advisors across the project lifecycle

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, April 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- DBIA has engaged FMI Corporation to assess the Owner Advisor (OA) role in design-build and help Owners better identify the skills needed for successful project delivery.

This foundational understanding is essential to the successful execution of Design-Build Done Right^® best practices. Owners must be able to identify and engage qualified OAs to fill critical gaps.

As design-build continues to expand, particularly with the increased use of Progressive Design-Build, Owners are taking on more complex responsibilities throughout project acquisition and delivery. Industry feedback has consistently highlighted variability in how the OA role is defined and executed.

In many cases, no single advisor is responsible for guiding Owners through the full design-build process, leaving gaps in coordination, decision making and overall project alignment. Without clear expectations and competencies, Owners are left to navigate critical decisions without consistent guidance, increasing the likelihood of misalignment and underperformance.

“This effort is about ensuring the benefits inherent in effective design-build are realized by Owners that engage Owner Advisors to fill gaps,” said Lisa Washington, CAE, Executive Director/CEO of DBIA. “Owner Advisors play a critical role in design-build success, and we want to ensure any future direction we take is grounded in data, stakeholder input and alignment with Design-Build Done Right^® best practices.”

FMI will lead a structured, multi-phase research effort designed to gather both quantitative and qualitative insights from across the design and construction industry. The study will assess market demand, define the competencies required for effective Owner Advisors in design-build and evaluate how those needs are currently being met.

In Design-Build Done Right^®, an Owner Advisor supports the full project lifecycle, helping Owners align organizational readiness, guide procurement decisions and support execution across the entire delivery team.

“This engagement reflects DBIA’s commitment to leading with clarity and purpose. As the industry evolves, it’s essential for us to take a thoughtful, inclusive approach to defining roles that directly impact project success,” said Molly Jones, AIA, DBIA, President and CEO of Jones Design Studio, PLLC, and Chair of DBIA’s Owner Advisor Committee.

Findings from this research will help inform targeted education for Owners and industry professionals, supporting stronger alignment with the competencies required for effective design-build delivery.

The goal of this project is to provide a clear, data-driven foundation for strengthening Owner Advisor role clarity through expanded tools, resources and education.

The research will also provide insight into the role a potential Design-Build Done Right Owner Advisor^® specialty credential could play in clarifying this critical role, helping Owners select qualified advisors and guiding and advancing Design-Build Done Right^®.

The project is expected to be completed by late summer, with findings informing DBIA’s path forward in clarifying the role of the Design-Build Done Right Owner Advisor^® and strengthening support of successful design-build outcomes.

Erin Looney
Design-Build Institute of America
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