Mastt Logo
Why
Product
The Platform
Platform Overview
Unified platform for construction project management
Project
Core workspace to manage a single project
Program
Automated roll-up of data from all projects
Dashboard
Live visual reporting across all project data
Cost
Manage budgets, contracts, payments & forecasting
Risk
Track risks, issues, and mitigation actions
Schedule
Set timelines, milestones, and track delivery
AI
See real AI applications and upcoming features
Platform Overview
Use Cases
Capital Program Management
Capital Projects
Automated Project Reporting
Real-Time Project Dashboards
Cost Reporting
Project Cost Tracking
Project Controls
Simple Project Scheduling
Construction Contract Management
Progress Payments
All Use Cases
Product Tour
A video of Mastt sofware showing a dashboard with a map, charts and visualizations for project progress and health
Explore Mastt
Watch how Mastt is used around the world for construction project management
Contact Sales
Product Tour
Solutions
Business Types
Project Owners
Control capital project outcomes with trusted oversight
Real Estate Developers
Manage your entire portfolio with confidence
Program Management Consultant
Roll up multiple client projects with ease
Project Management Consultant
Run professional projects from a single platform
Small Businesses
Deliver big results with lean project teams
Roles
ExecutiveProgram ManagerProject ManagerOwner's RepresentativeDevelopment ManagerContract AdministratorProject Controls Manager
Industries
Aviation
Commercial Real Estate
Education
Energy
Healthcare
Industrial
Infrastructure
Public Works
Real Estate Development
See All Industries
Contact Sales
Product Tour
Pricing
Customers
Resources
Learn
Free Templates
Download free tools, guides, checklists, plans and more
Dashboard Examples
Download free dashboards & reports
Articles
Learn about Construction Project Management best practices
Topics
Full guides on the important topics around construction management
Webinars
Watch ConTech in action
SUPPORT
FAQs
Get answers for common questions
Get Help
Expert coaching, technical support and guidance
Trust Center
Learn how we protect your data and privacy.
Product Tour
A video of Mastt sofware showing a dashboard with a map, charts and visualizations for project progress and health
Explore Mastt
Watch how Mastt is used around the world for construction project management
Contact Sales
Product Tour
Log In
Australia / APAC
North America Region
MENA
Rest of World
Log InSee Product Tour
02 9133 4355
Talk to Sales
|
Log In
Australia / APAC
North America Region
MENA
Rest of World
Start for Free
Mobile Menu Icon
Resources
/
Glossary

Progressive Design

Progressive design is a project delivery approach that prioritizes early collaboration and flexibility. Learn how it compares to other methods and its pros and cons.

Topic: 
Project Delivery Methods
Date posted: 
February 10, 2025
Date updated: 
April 1, 2025

Contents

Example H2
Confident professional man holding a tablet and smiling while standing in a modern office environment. He is dressed in a blue sweater and white collared shirt, suggesting a tech-savvy or managerial role.
Top Performers Don’t Guess. They Deliver.

Cut the stress of showing up unprepared

Start for Free

Trusted by the bold, the brave, and the brilliant to deliver the future

What is Progressive Design?

Progressive design is a flexible and collaborative approach to design that allows for continuous refinement throughout a project’s development. Unlike traditional design methods, where plans are fully completed before construction begins, progressive design integrates early contractor involvement and ongoing design adjustments to improve efficiency, cost control, and project outcomes.

Want to learn more about how progressive design is applied in construction? Read our in-depth guide on progressive design-build.

Popular
Free Template

Procurement Plan

A procurement plan template for capital project owners providing a comprehensive strategy to engage goods, services, and contractors. Includes timelines, budget considerations, supplier selection criteria, and contract management procedures, to ensure successful project completion.

Use this Template

Progressive Design Meaning

The term progressive design combines the concepts of "progressive," meaning gradual or step-by-step development, and "design," which refers to the process of planning and creating functional solutions. In the context of construction and project delivery, progressive design emphasizes iterative decision-making, early stakeholder collaboration, and continuous refinement of project details.

Unlike traditional design approaches, which often require fully completed plans before moving forward, progressive design allows for phased development, ensuring flexibility and adaptability throughout the project lifecycle.

Automate Construction Project Management  

Advantages and Disadvantages of Progressive Design-Build

Progressive design-build offers a phased, collaborative approach, allowing for continuous adjustments based on project needs. While this provides many advantages, it also comes with certain risks.

Advantages Disadvantages
Early contractor-designer collaboration improves project alignment Progressive design refinement may require careful scope management
Increased cost and schedule certainty as design develops Requires significant owner participation throughout process
Early issue identification reduces costly rework May not suit all construction project types
Enables iterative design improvements for efficiency Design refinements could extend project timeline

Because progressive design-build allows for early problem-solving and better cost control, it’s commonly used in complex, large-scale projects where flexibility is essential. However, project owners should be prepared for a more hands-on role throughout the design phase to ensure success.

Progressive design-build is just one of many project delivery approaches—see how it compares to other models in our complete guide to project delivery methods.

Progressive Design-Build vs. P3 (Public-Private Partnership)

Progressive design-build and public-private partnerships (P3) are both modern project delivery methods, but they serve different purposes and have distinct structures.

Key Differences Between Progressive Design-Build & P3

1. Ownership & Funding

  • In progressive design-build, the project owner funds the development and retains full ownership.
  • In P3, a private entity often provides financing and operates the asset under a long-term agreement.

2. Risk Allocation

  • Progressive design-build involves shared risk between the owner and contractor, allowing for design flexibility.
  • P3 models transfer significant risk to the private sector, including funding, operations, and long-term maintenance.

3. Project Suitability

  • Progressive design-build is ideal for projects requiring collaborative, phased design development with early contractor involvement.
  • P3s are more common for large-scale infrastructure projects where the government seeks private investment and long-term operation support.

For example, a hospital project using progressive design-build would have contractors and designers working closely with the owner throughout the planning phase to refine the design based on evolving needs.

In contrast, a highway funded through a P3 model would involve a private entity financing, building, and maintaining the road under a long-term agreement with the government.

If you're comparing traditional design-build with progressive design-build, see how they differ in risk, flexibility, and cost certainty in our design-build vs. progressive design-build guide.

Automate Construction Project Management  

Progressive Design-Build Examples

Progressive design-build is widely used in complex projects where early contractor involvement and iterative design development improve efficiency, cost control, and risk management. Here are some real-world examples of its application across different industries.

1. Healthcare Facilities 🏥

  • Example: A hospital expansion project in Australia used progressive design-build to adjust medical facility layouts based on evolving patient care needs.
  • Benefit: Enabled flexible design changes without delaying construction, ensuring the hospital could integrate new healthcare technologies as they emerged.

2. Transportation & Infrastructure 🚆

  • Example: A rail transit extension project in the U.S. adopted progressive design-build to manage complex engineering challenges, including tunnel alignments and station placements.
  • Benefit: Allowed ongoing design refinements to accommodate underground conditions while keeping the project on schedule.

3. Water Treatment Plants 💧

  • Example: A wastewater treatment facility upgrade in Canada required progressive design-build to meet new environmental regulations while maintaining operations.
  • Benefit: Provided the flexibility to test new treatment technologies before finalizing the plant’s design.

4. Educational Facilities 🎓

  • Example: A university campus expansion in the UK utilized progressive design-build to ensure student accommodation and learning spaces met evolving educational requirements.
  • Benefit: Enabled phased design refinements to match enrollment growth and technological advancements in learning.

5. Commercial Developments 🏢

  • Example: A mixed-use development in the U.S. applied progressive design-build to adapt retail, office, and residential spaces based on market demand.‍
  • Benefit: Allowed the developer to adjust space allocation and amenities mid-project to align with changing tenant needs.

Posts on this topic

How EPC Project Delivery Works
Project Delivery Methods

How EPC Project Delivery Works

Learn how EPC project delivery works, from engineering to construction, and see how it helps project owners manage costs, risks, and timelines effectively.

How EPC Project Delivery Works

Jacob Gibbs

What Is a Managing Contractor Delivery Model?
Project Delivery Methods

What Is a Managing Contractor Delivery Model?

Learn what the Managing Contractor Delivery Model is, how it works, its pros and cons, and how it compares to other project delivery methods.

What Is a Managing Contractor Delivery Model?

Jamie Cerexhe

Alternative Delivery Methods in Construction
Project Delivery Methods

Alternative Delivery Methods in Construction

Learn how alternative delivery methods like Design-Build and CMAR help construction projects stay on budget, reduce risk, and finish faster.

Alternative Delivery Methods in Construction

Doug Vincent

Powering Construction Project Management with Easy-to-Use Tools

Start for FreeWatch Product Tour
Mastt Logo
Stay up-to-date with Mastt:
You're in the loop
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Use Cases

Project Controls
Cost Reporting
Managing Contract Variations
Project Timeline Management
Construction Contract Management
All Use Cases

Product

ProjectProgramDashboardCostRiskScheduleAIAll Features

Industries

Aviation
Commercial Real Estate
Education
Energy
Healthcare
Industrial
Infrastructure
Public Works
Real Estate Development
All Industries

Customers

Featured CustomerSuccess Stories

Compare

Mastt vs ProcoreMastt vs KahuaMastt vs InEightMastt vs AconexMastt vs iTWOcx

Resources

Free TemplatesWebinarsGlossaryArticlesTopicsFAQProject Management FirmsRisksHelp Pages

Company

AboutAboutConstruction Project ManagementContact UsPrivacyLegalSecurity
© Copyright 2025 Mastt.
Be part of our community
LinkedIn Icon