The building opened in November, two months early and $3 million under budget. It beat Alberici's IPD projects, which Gunn says were also winners.

Program manager Tocci has devised his own version of highly collaborative project delivery. "HCPD draws out IPD's best processes and behaviors," he says.

With HCPD, a percentage of fee is at risk, tied to schedule, quality of work, innovation and change-order elimination. Subs bid on schematic design documents. If winners can't hold their prices through completion of design, the owner maintains the right to go out to bid.

Gaining Traction

IPD veterans think the multiparty model will eventually spread—even to commercial buildings—within limits. "IPD will gain traction, but too much of the industry—starting with owners—still thinks lowest bid upon completion of design is 'best and cheapest,'" says Michael J. Kotubey, president of mechanical contractor TDIndustries.

"Whether IPD becomes as common as other delivery methods will depend on how successful [project outcomes] are for all the participants," not just some, says Steve Peppler, project manager for architect SmithGroupJJR. "There will always be individuals and entities who will never attempt IPD because they just 'know' that mistrust is better than collaboration and will never be convinced otherwise, regardless of the evidence."

To help IPD first-timers, Tocci recommends reading two books by Patrick M. Lencioni, published by Wiley: "The Advantage" and "Death by Meeting."

To aid IPD, Ghafari Associates LLC sells software for managing shared project plans, says Samir Emdanat, Ghafari's director of vPlanner product development.

UHS's Bennett advises owners embarking on IPD for the first time to start small. "Take baby steps," he says. "It takes time, like anything of value."

This article was updated on July 6, 2015, to include additional information on the IPD research team at the University of Wisconsin.