Short answer

Design and project management teams should proactively implement structured dialogue, transparent information sharing, and dynamic risk assessment mechanisms to align stakeholder interests and prevent conflicts, especially in EPC projects.

Field
Commercial Production
Source
Buildings (2025)
Method
Case Study
Evidence
Strong effect

A structured design management model, DART-PDCA, can effectively resolve conflicting interests between project owners and general contractors in Chinese Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects, thereby improving project outcomes. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Buildings. Using Case study, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Design and project management teams should proactively implement structured dialogue, transparent information sharing, and dynamic risk assessment mechanisms to align stakeholder interests and prevent conflicts, especially in EPC projects.

Study
Commercial ProductionNew This WeekStrong effect

DART-PDCA Model Mitigates Design Interest Paradox in Chinese EPC Projects

A structured design management model, DART-PDCA, can effectively resolve conflicting interests between project owners and general contractors in Chinese Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects, thereby improving project outcomes.

Buildings · 2025

01

Key Findings

  • 01The two-stage design interest paradox negatively impacts design management quality in China's low-trust environment.
  • 02The DART-PDCA design management model effectively resolves this paradox.
  • 03The model leads to demonstrable improvements in design management quality, efficiency, and stakeholder alignment.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Design and project management teams should proactively implement structured dialogue, transparent information sharing, and dynamic risk assessment mechanisms to align stakeholder interests and prevent conflicts, especially in EPC projects.

How to apply

When managing EPC projects, especially in environments with low established trust, consider adopting a model that emphasizes structured dialogue, information transparency, and dynamic risk allocation, such as the DART-PDCA framework.

Project actions

  • 01When designing a project with multiple stakeholders, map out their potential conflicting interests early on.
  • 02Develop clear communication protocols and feedback loops to ensure everyone is aligned throughout the design process.
03

Method & Evidence

AimHow can a design management model resolve the two-stage design interest paradox between owners and general contractors in Chinese EPC projects?
MethodCase Study
ProcedureThe study applied the proposed DART-PDCA model to a specific high-speed rail station project and an extended case. The model's effectiveness was evaluated based on its ability to establish dialogue, enhance transparency, and facilitate risk management.
ContextConstruction industry, specifically Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects in China.

Variables

IVImplementation of the DART-PDCA design management model.
DVDesign management quality, efficiency, and stakeholder alignment.
CVProject type (EPC), geographical context (China), industry (construction).
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Addresses a critical real-world problem in project management.
  • +Proposes a novel, actionable model (DART-PDCA).
  • +Validated through case studies.

Limitations

The case study approach might not capture all possible scenarios, and the specific cultural context of China might influence the applicability of the DART-PDCA model elsewhere.

Reliability & validity

The validity of the findings relies on the detailed case study analysis and the successful application of the DART-PDCA model. Reliability could be enhanced by replicating the study across multiple diverse projects.

Think critically

To what extent can the DART-PDCA model be adapted for design projects in industries other than construction, or in regions with different cultural trust levels?

05

Design Principles

"Proactive stakeholder alignment through structured communication and risk management is essential for successful project delivery in complex, multi-party environments."

Understanding and mitigating inherent conflicts in complex project delivery models like EPC is crucial for efficient resource allocation and successful project completion. This insight offers a practical framework for managing stakeholder alignment, particularly in environments characterized by low trust.

06

What This Means for Your Design

In big construction projects where owners and builders have different goals during the design phase, a special management method called DART-PDCA can help them work together better and make the project more successful.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of stakeholder management and conflict resolution in your design project's development process.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research demonstrates that in complex project environments like Chinese EPC projects, a 'design interest paradox' can arise due to conflicting stakeholder goals, negatively impacting project quality. The study proposes and validates the 'DART-PDCA' model, which enhances design management by fostering structured dialogue, transparency, and dynamic risk assessment, thereby resolving these conflicts and improving project outcomes.

09

Source

Buildings

Solving the Two-Stage Design Interest Paradox Between Chinese EPC Project Owners and General Contractors: A Case Study

journal · 2025

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about dart-pdca model mitigates design interest paradox in chinese epc projects?
Design and project management teams should proactively implement structured dialogue, transparent information sharing, and dynamic risk assessment mechanisms to align stakeholder interests and prevent conflicts, especially in EPC projects. Evidence: Buildings (2025).
Why does "DART-PDCA Model Mitigates Design Interest Paradox in Chinese EPC Projects" matter for design?
Understanding and mitigating inherent conflicts in complex project delivery models like EPC is crucial for efficient resource allocation and successful project completion. This insight offers a practical framework for managing stakeholder alignment, particularly in environments characterized by low trust.
How can designers apply this research?
Design and project management teams should proactively implement structured dialogue, transparent information sharing, and dynamic risk assessment mechanisms to align stakeholder interests and prevent conflicts, especially in EPC projects.
What were the main findings?
The two-stage design interest paradox negatively impacts design management quality in China's low-trust environment.. The DART-PDCA design management model effectively resolves this paradox.. The model leads to demonstrable improvements in design management quality, efficiency, and stakeholder alignment.
What research method was used?
Case Study.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Buildings.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When managing EPC projects, especially in environments with low established trust, consider adopting a model that emphasizes structured dialogue, information transparency, and dynamic risk allocation, such as the DART-PDCA framework.
What are the limitations?
The findings are based on case studies within the Chinese construction context, which may have unique cultural and market characteristics. The generalizability to other regions or project types requires further investigation.