# IPD - assumes both GC \*and\* CMa?

**URL:** <https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/ipd-assumes-both-gc-and-cma/7475>\
**Category:** Project Management\
**Created:** [August 28, 2025, 1:44am UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/ipd-assumes-both-gc-and-cma/7475 "2025-08-28T01:44:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![aidenjh](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/community.blackspectacles.com/aidenjh/32/1658_2.png) [@aidenjh](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/aidenjh)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2025, 1:44am UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/ipd-assumes-both-gc-and-cma/7475/1 "2025-08-28T01:44:41Z")

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While taking the ARE practice exam for PjM, I came across a question that presumed that in an IPD delivery model, an owner would have contracts with both a GC and a CMa - as a matter of standard course. But this completely confuses me -because, if you have a GC in the mix from the start, **he _is_ the de facto CMa**. (not to mention the constructor…)

Am I missing something?

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**Author:** ![kiaragalicinao](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/community.blackspectacles.com/kiaragalicinao/32/1607_2.png) [@kiaragalicinao](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/kiaragalicinao)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/ipd-assumes-both-gc-and-cma/7475/2 "2025-09-09T17:45:35Z")

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Great question @aidenjh and I definitely understand your confusion.

As a reminder: IPD involves the owner, architect, and constructor (GC) working together early under one agreement. The GC provides constructibility, cost, and schedule input (similarly to a CM).

While it may seem redundant, an owner may still hire a CMa as an advisor only for budget/schedule oversight, owner representation, etc. The CMa would not hold trade contracts.

The key takeaways from this scenario are role distinctions:

- **CMa** : advisor, no contracts with trades
- **GC/constructor** : builds and participates in IPD risk-sharing

Hope this helps!

Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB  
Product Coordinator  
**[Black Spectacles](https://www.blackspectacles.com/en-us/)**

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**Author:** ![aidenjh](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/community.blackspectacles.com/aidenjh/32/1658_2.png) [@aidenjh](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/aidenjh)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 10:45pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/ipd-assumes-both-gc-and-cma/7475/3 "2025-09-09T22:45:21Z")

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Huh. Ok. I didn’t know that a client might separately contract with both a CMa and a GC in IPD.

Thanks!