How to Choose the Right Team: Why Collaboration,
Communication, and Fit Matter Beyond Experience
One of the most important decisions a school district will make during a capital project happens long before construction begins: deciding who will help lead the process.
Architects, construction managers, owner’s representatives, and consultants each bring different expertise to the table. But selecting the right partners requires more than reviewing qualifications, project lists, and polished interview presentations.
As Jason Albrecht of Zimmerman Architectural Studios says in Episode 2 of The Right Partner at the Right Time, districts should “select the team, not the firm.”
Every firm can point to relevant projects and experience. The bigger question is whether the people assigned to your project understand your goals, communicate well with one another, and can work together when the project does not go exactly according to plan.
And in construction, it rarely does.
Look Beyond the Resume
Relevant K–12 experience matters. Renovating an occupied school brings unique challenges, from fixed school calendars and short construction windows to aging buildings and unforeseen conditions.
“Older buildings can add another layer of complexity. Existing drawings may be incomplete or decades old. Conditions hidden behind walls and ceilings may not be discovered until construction begins.” Brent Verhyen, Senior Project Manager, Hunzinger Construction.
Codes may have changed since an earlier facility study was completed, and inflation can quickly make an older budget unreliable.
Experience helps teams anticipate those challenges before they become problems.
But experience alone is not enough.
Pay Attention to How the Team Works Together
Communication is critical. Architects and construction managers need to understand the district’s priorities and openly discuss design, cost, schedule, and constructability as decisions are being made.
Bringing those partners together early allows for better feedback, stronger collaboration, and more informed decisions before options become limited.
Once a district has established that a project is real and the general parameters are taking shape, early collaboration between the design team and construction manager can provide valuable budget and constructability feedback while decisions are still being made.
Ask More Than the Expected Questions
References can reveal more than a project list. Ask past clients how the team communicated, handled challenges, and whether they would work with them again.
During interviews, pay attention to team chemistry and consider asking a few unexpected questions. How a team thinks and responds in real time can be a good indicator of how they’ll handle challenges during construction.
Select the Team, Not Just the Firm
The goal is not simply to hire firms with impressive qualifications.
It is to build a team of people who understand your district’s vision, have experience with the type of project you are undertaking, communicate openly, and are prepared to work together when challenges arise.
“Because ultimately, the people sitting across the table during the interview are the people who will help navigate the difficult decisions later.”
Kevin Johnson, Project Director, Facility Value Management.
And when selecting your design and construction partners, the team matters.
WATCH EPISODE 2: Selecting the Right Design and Construction Partner
And when selecting your design and construction partners, the team matters.
New to the series?
Start with The Right Partner at the Right Time to learn why having the right expertise at the right stage of a school capital project matters, and watch Episode 1: Building the Team Before Building the Plan.
Facility Value Management (FVM) is the professional services division of Hunzinger Construction Company. Backed by Hunzinger’s collective expertise and resources, FVM brings a unique perspective to program management, owner representation, and project/facility planning and management. FVM’s guiding principles and acumen help owners make well-informed decisions across the full life cycle of their buildings and projects.
