# PJM - Initial Decision Maker in A101 and A133 **URL:** \ **Category:** Project Management\ **Created:** [February 28, 2025, 2:43am UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/pjm-initial-decision-maker-in-a101-and-a133/6600 "2025-02-28T02:43:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lantenore](https://blackspectacles.com/uploads/images/13.png) [@lantenore](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/lantenore)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 2:43am UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/pjm-initial-decision-maker-in-a101-and-a133/6600/1 "2025-02-28T02:43:23Z")
Hello everyone - Unless I got confused - the lectures describe the role of architect as IDM in both A101 and 133 differently A101 Architect acts as Initial decision maker between Owner and Architect A133 Architect has a conflict of interest given the involvement of the CMc early in design and so claims go to mediation - Architect can not really act as IDM Are the above statement true ? One question of the Quizzes (Quiz Break 8) asks to identify different responsibilities for architect in CMc and DBB - One of the choices was “responsabilities as initial decision maker” but that was not correct. I am not sure I understand why that is not the case - Thank you in advance for anyone who can help me figuring this out! -Lorenzo ---
**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:** [March 3, 2025, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/pjm-initial-decision-maker-in-a101-and-a133/6600/2 "2025-03-03T22:35:25Z")
Hi @lantenore, welcome to the ARE Community! Thanks for writing in with your questions. You are correct in that dispute resolution is handled differently between the A101 (Design-Bid-Build) and A133 (CMc). Under the **A101** (Article 6), the architect will serve as the Initial Decision Maker (IDM) between the _owner_ and _contractor._ Any claim that remains unresolved by mediation will proceed to binding dispute resolution. Under the **A133** (Article 12), any claims arising _during preconstruction_ will move directly to mediation, then binding dispute resolution if needed. This is due to the architect being a potential conflict of interest, having worked closely with the contractor during preconstruction and the claim may actually involve the architect. For claims that arise _during construction_, the architect acts as IDM (similar to A101 terms). Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions about this. Regarding your reference to PjM Quiz Break 8, I don’t see any question related to this topic or with that specific answer choice. Can you please let me know where you are finding that question? Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB **Black Spectacles** ---
**Author:** ![lantenore](https://blackspectacles.com/uploads/images/13.png) [@lantenore](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/lantenore)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 12:31am UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/pjm-initial-decision-maker-in-a101-and-a133/6600/3 "2025-03-15T00:31:08Z")
Hello Kiara - thank you for your thoughtful answer: So - to paraphrase: Architect is still the IDM in both DBB and CMc - albeit a bit different - The question is in PJM quick break 8: here is the prompt: _An architect is working on their first project using the construction manager as constructor (CMc) delivery method, and is interested in understanding the differences in their responsibilities compared to the delivery method that they’re most familiar with, design-bid-build (DBB)._ _Which of the following responsibilities is different on a CMc project compared to a DBB project for the architect? **Check the two that apply.** _ On of the options available were IDM - I picked it thinking that IDM was in fact different between Cmc and DBB but perhaps I should have paid more attention the the “role” - The role of the architect remain unchanged - Thanks again, ---
**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:** [March 17, 2025, 10:06pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/pjm-initial-decision-maker-in-a101-and-a133/6600/4 "2025-03-17T22:06:54Z")
@lantenore thank you for confirming! I’ve located the question (sorry, I must have looked in the wrong location at first). You are correct in your interpretation of the architect’s role as IDM. Their role does not change between DBB and CMc, though the process is a bit different depending on when the claim occurs. Now you’re in the mindset of NCARB/ARE 🙂 Questions can be worded in a tricky way and it is easy to overlook exactly what the question is asking. Key words can change the entire intent of a question. Also, in these types of questions, be sure you are selecting the **most** correct answer(s). Sometimes an answer may appear “correct” at face value, but there is another answer that is more correct. Keep up the great work! Kiara