The design-build (DB) delivery system has been gaining popularity in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, in part due to the performance benefits it can offer to project stakeholders. Studies have been conducted to quantify these performance benefits, in terms of commonly used metrics that include unit cost, cost growth, delivery speed, schedule growth, and project quality. This paper summarizes and organizes the construction literature that quantifies the differences in performance between DB and the more traditional design-bid-build (DBB) delivery system, in terms of project cost, schedule and quality. The paper discusses these findings in a meta-analysis format, to uncover patterns, trends, or possible differences in the results. Interestingly, the study reveals that despite several research efforts, few present statistically significant comparative results for all key performance metrics. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge by summarizing two decades of DB performance research and identifying the range of project performance values that can be achieved using DB, which allows for an improved understanding of DB performance. INTRODUCTIONOver the last couple of decades, new delivery methods have emerged allowing for flexibility in the way projects are designed, bid, and ultimately built. Mostly due to the existing legislature requiring the selection of the lowest bidder in public projects, many construction projects were still limited to the design-bid-build (DBB) method of project delivery. Over time, legislative changes have allowed for a shift in project delivery systems and procurement processes, specifically allowing for the design-build (DB) method to be used in several jurisdictions. Figure 1 presents a visual representation of the two delivery methods discussed in this paper: DBB and DB. In the top portion of the figure, solid black lines represent contractual relationships whereas gray lines represent communication or coordination relationships. The main changes in the way projects are delivered using the alternative delivery methods relate to the types of relationships between the project stakeholders, and their timing of engagement in the project (El Asmar et al. 2013). In