每10年左右，美国建筑师学会（AIA）一次更新并修改其标准形式的建筑文档系列，2007年，AIA修改了AIA A-2012合同，以添加初始决策者（IDM）作为调解的条件。

This laudable change marks an important shift, moving away from the architect as the resolver of disputes. Unfortunately, change comes slowly. The architect is the default IDM unless the parties affirmatively insert a name, other than the architect, in the contract to act as the IDM.

不netheless, unlike prior AIA agreements, the AIA has opened the door to the idea of someone other than the architect as the IDM and provided the contracting parties with a place to insert a name other than the architect to act as the IDM.

But the AIA could improve its model contract documents more by eliminating the architect as the IDM.

Sciascia

通常，该过程是无约束力的，通常是质疑下一个争议的先决条件。

Another important feature of a real-time process, such as IDM or a dispute resolution board (DRB), is the fact that there is no requirement for discovery. The parties merely submit the documents they believe are necessary to prove or defend their claim, often with no discovery tools whatsoever.

听证会通常是非正式的。目击者没有宣誓就职，通常没有正式的成绩单。

保持非正式性

To its credit, the AIA maintains the informal procedure. There are no procedures or requirement for depositions, interrogatories, or turning over of documents and e-mails. Although there are no details for a hearing or witness testimony, the IDM may request additional information from the claimant or seek a response from the other party. Also, the IDM may reach out to third parties that have “special knowledge or expertise” who may assist in rendering a decision.

尽管AIA维护条件先例程序，但在A201-2007的第15.3.5条中，样机板AIA IIA IDM程序指出：“初始决定应是最终决定并对当事方具有约束力，但要进行调解，并且如果当事方未能进行。通过调解来解决他们的争议，以约束性的争议解决。”（添加了强调）。此功能的重要性不能被夸大。

A regular dilemma in construction contract drafting and risk allocation is who is going to pay for disputed work? The contractor needs to get paid to pay the subcontractors and progress the work. The owner does not want to over pay or run out of money to complete the project and pay for damaged or defective work.

An expedited, real time, decision-making process provides a solution. And since the decision is binding until further binding dispute resolution takes place, presumably arbitration or litigation, the risk of the work stopping before the project is complete is significantly reduced. This is truly a win-win situation.

How to Improve the Process

总是有改进的空间，这意味着作为IDM离开建筑师。

It is critical that the parties believe that the neutral is impartial, but this is impossible when the architect is the IDM. The architect is paid by the owner. The architect’s mistake could be the basis of the claim. There are obvious conflicts not just perceived partiality

在过去七年中使用IDM流程的行业专业人员一致地报告了该过程与建筑师作为IDM不起作用。在一个实例中，建筑师橡胶盖章了所有者的位置。在另一个中，建筑师什么也没做。

When an owner or the owner’s lawyer insists on the architect as the IDM, they lose credibility in the face of the obvious conflicts.

精致的所有者不希望建筑师作为IDM或DRB中性。建筑师应作为党派或IDM的证人提供，当然，由于建筑师是所有者的顾问，因此所有者可以随时从建筑师那里获得意见。

接下来，AIA必须要求IDM做出决定。

当前，如果IDM缺乏足够的信息，或者“自行决定，IDM”解决索赔时，IDM可以选择不做出决定。这是非常有问题的，并且似乎是为建筑师设计的，后者意识到自己处于冲突状况，或者决定与客户违反，并且她不想冒险不得不获得报酬。

如果当事方向第三方付款以充当IDM，则当事方应需要结果，特别是在所需时间（10天）的合理决定的形式。

The IDM process is simple. In real time, meaning while the project is going on, the parties submit an issue to a third party. Historically the third party was always the architect in the AIA documents, and the architect made a recommendation to the parties about how the claim should be resolved.