From concept to completion: our proven project execution process

No two projects are the same, so we tailor our approach to designing, building, and managing your project based on variables like project delivery method and contract structure, defining how risk, cost, and responsibilities are shared. Dennis Group offers flexibility across a full range of project delivery models, and we can work closely with you to identify the approach that aligns best with your goals, timelines, and internal resources. Regardless of contract structure, we operate every project with an open book approach, providing full cost transparency at every stage. We provide you the flexibility to determine your desired level of involvement throughout design and execution of the project.

project execution methodology

Flexible delivery models to fit your needs

Preferred Delivery Model

Integrated Design-Build
(Cost-Plus)

The most popular methodology among our clients, Design-Build involves close coordination among disciplines from the beginning, fast-tracking projects to move them rapidly from planning to start-up. With four decades of focused experience in the food industry, our comprehensive expertise in full-service design, project management, and construction management has consistently proven that the Design-Build approach provides the best value to our clients – delivering cost-effective high-quality projects with a streamlined process that accelerates speed-to-market. In Design-Build, the client’s single-source contract with Dennis Group allows us to assume full responsibility for design and construction. For complex food and beverage facilities, having all disciplines under one roof enables tighter coordination and greater flexibility to refine the design as the project evolves. Key efforts like procurement and construction can run in parallel with design, accelerating timelines without sacrificing quality. With early scope alignment between Dennis Group and the client, we can improve cost certainty while ensuring your project success criteria are met every step of the way, from planning through start-up and commissioning.

Alternative Delivery Methods

Integrated Design Build (At-Risk)

With this project execution model, the approach is very similar to our Cost-Plus methodology but with greater certainty to a project’s cost and schedule. The primary difference is a change to the project fee structure to assume the inherent cost and schedule risk. When our clients choose this project approach, we collaborate closely with them to ensure the most appropriate contractual arrangement is established – one that best balances project control and risk allocation to meet their specific needs. This execution is most often conducted in a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract.

EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management)

In the EPCM model, Dennis Group provides comprehensive coordination of design, equipment, procurement, and construction management. However, the client plays a very active role and holds all contracts directly with vendors and subcontractors. Because contract ownership generally remains with the client, this model involves greater client risk and responsibility, including vendor oversight and accountability. EPCM is best suited for clients with large, experienced internal teams who want more control over execution but can still benefit from Dennis Group’s extensive food expertise.

Design-Bid-Build

Design-Bid-Build is used by clients who want greater certainty over cost, potentially at a reduced fee structure, on projects where speed-to-market isn’t a priority. Cost certainty is attained through 90+% completion of detailed design for the full project prior to bidding, generally reducing construction and procurement fees for undefined risks and contingency requirements. While this approach can initially appear to provide more certainty on project costs prior to capital commitment, a Design-Bid-Build approach typically does not lend itself to the dynamic and fast-track nature of the food industry. For well-defined project scopes this execution approach may be appropriate. Because the design team operates independently from the construction team in the D-B-B delivery model, the inherent complexity and dynamic nature of most F&B projects often lead to improper project cost and schedule development. This fragmentation can also limit flexibility and hinder the project team’s ability to reactively respond to client requests, ultimately impeding the ability to meet a project’s success criteria. As a result, the project may be more susceptible to change orders, delays, and quality impacts during the construction and start-up phases. .

Design-Only

In this model, Dennis Group provides full design services while the client or a third party is responsible for procurement and construction. Our multidisciplinary team of architects and engineers collaborate to bring your vision to life, providing a complete set of construction-ready documents as the final deliverable.

This approach offers clients flexibility in selecting their own contractor team but also carries increased risk, as responsibility for executing the design lies outside of Dennis Group’s control. There is also reduced flexibility and a more inefficient coordination process to make design changes once construction is underway.

Compare Project Delivery Methods

Delivery Method	Who Owns the Risk	Client Involvement	Speed	Cost Certainty	Design Control	Contract Structure
Integrated Design-Build (Cost-Plus)	Dennis Group + Client	Low to High – Determined by Client	Fast	High	High	Single contract, high collaboration
Integrated Design-Build (At-Risk)	Dennis Group	Low to Moderate	Fast	High	Medium	Single contract, high collaboration
EPCM	Client	Very High	Medium	Variable	High	Multiple contracts managed by client
Design-Bid-Build	Client	High	Slow	Moderate	High	Two contracts: Design + Contractor
Design-Only	Client	Very High	Varies	Low	Very High	Design contract only

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