The three major aspects of construction are cost, time and quality. Affecting one can affect the others. To have a full understanding of cost saving, the design and construction teams have different perspectives. The design team aims to reduce cost by reducing materials. This is objectively measurable and therefore allows the design team to demonstrate cost savings. The construction team aims to reduce cost by reducing time and effort. This is subjectively measurable and can result in much greater overall cost savings, but is difficult to demonstrate and comes with risks. The best way to align these two points of view is to workshop between the designer and the contractor. This is a basic design and build project concept.

This topic is very complex, but in summary, it is as follows: Shifting from the traditional bidding model to a collaborative process with early involvement of designers and expert subcontractors. The goal is to change the traditional model of budgeting a design to designing a budget. These may sound like similar concepts, but they are fundamentally different. The main advantage of these models is not to save costs but rather to control and monitor them throughout the design process, enabling better and more cost-effective decisions at earlier stages. Many articles talk about cost-saving models, as mentioned in the question, but few focus on monitoring and controlling costs, which is even more fundamental.

Como Engenheiro civil você precisa entender que reduzir custos não significa cortar qualidade, mas otimizar recursos de forma inteligente. A chave está em uma comunicação constante entre as equipes de design e construção. Muitas vezes, o problema está na falta de diálogo, por isso é essencial ouvir o que cada lado tem a oferecer desde o início do projeto. Além disso, buscar alternativas que agreguem valor, sem comprometer segurança e desempenho, é fundamental. Reduzir custos não é fazer mais com menos, mas usar de forma eficiente o que já temos, sempre respeitando as perspectivas de cada equipe. Isso exige paciência, diálogo e, principalmente, respeito pelas diferentes visões de cada equipe.

To align design and construction teams on cost-saving initiatives, I emphasize open and continuous communication through regular meetings. This ensures both teams understand each other’s challenges and limitations. I also implement value engineering, which involves identifying cost-effective alternatives that maintain the project’s quality and performance standards. Encouraging collaborative brainstorming sessions allows both teams to propose viable solutions. Additionally, establishing a shared goal of project success fosters mutual respect and cooperation. By focusing on collective objectives, I ensure that cost-saving decisions are made with both technical and financial considerations in mind, benefiting the overall project.

Facilitate a collaborative meeting where both sides can discuss project goals, constraints,and proposed changes.Use value engineering to evaluate alternatives that maintain quality and functionality while reducing costs.Emphasize open communication,mutual respect,and shared accountability to resolve conflicts and prioritize project success.

After the design, it is better to go for design review before going into the construction phase. By doing so there will not be conflict between any parties involved.

Align the design and construction teams by fostering open communication and emphasizing shared goals. Use BIM tools to identify clashes, analyze cost-saving changes collaboratively, and assess their impact. Document agreed solutions, appoint a coordinator to mediate, and ensure all decisions are data-driven and mutually beneficial.

One thing I have found helpfull, go to site/field both design and construction to decide an alternative solution in-time in term of schedule maintaining which will prevent cost up. Extend the time schedule will increase manpower loading, tools n equipments loading, etc.