While it appears that Washington, D.C., is often the final destination when it comes to having the biggest impact on politics and legislation affecting integrated project delivery, it is still the local regions, states and municipalities where individuals can have a strong voice on legislation. A key to that is mobilizing advocates at the grass-roots level to encourage and support design-build legislation and other efforts.
For starters, response time is key when mobilizing an “integrated” response. To do so, someone must dig in and draft a document, such as a letter in response to key design-build elements within proposed legislation. Remember, it isn’t a group effort until there is something to work with — no matter how rough it is. Typically that first draft serves as a strong foundation for these grass-roots efforts.
Once the draft is prepared, it is critical that everyone edit the same document and track changes. On one particular project, four of us worked on it, and then one person was responsible for formalizing one final version, which incorporates the edits on DBIA region letterhead. The final draft should receive everyone’s “OK,” and then it is submitted to the appropriate agency or representative.
Perhaps most important, response and feedback times must be tracked. Direct contact between DBIA and the agency proposing the legislative change or regulation change is paramount in order to establish a timeline and determine what should have greatest emphasis and detail.
In addition, success in such endeavors is a lot about attitude. A “stick-to-it” mentality is a great help as well as good cooperation among region members — and even among many regions — can add to the impact. Commitment to moving the process along is also crucial.
It’s not a matter of waiting for someone to do something. It’s a matter of making a personal decision to affect design-build issues and taking and active part in the entire process.
Oretta Smith is the executive director of DBIA’s Mid-America region.