A Partnership Mentality: ISG’s Approach to Construction Services

ISG’s construction services team goes beyond project oversight for public projects. They act as true partners, striving to foster a collaborative, positive experience for all stakeholders. Working within the following partnership dynamic and project approach, our professionals create a teamwork-centered and supportive atmosphere. No matter the challenge, this team strives to make project delivery easy, every step of the way.

Partnership Dynamic

Like most design firms providing construction services, ISG’s construction administrators play a critical role in upholding a successful project and working dynamic between the client, contractor, and public. This role includes interpreting design intent, monitoring quality, resolving issues, communicating project progress, and managing project documentation.

Three-Legged Partnership + Approach for Better Project Outcomes

ISG's project approach is rooted in a three-legged stool, or partnership, mentality. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of balance and stability among all partners: the client, the contractor, the construction services team, and the public. To maintain stability, and foster a collaborative, enjoyable atmosphere that leads to better project outcomes, ISG’s construction services professionals work hard to facilitate a teamwork atmosphere that includes the following:

• Consistent Communication: Our team initiates and facilitates regular meetings, promotes open dialogue, and works to ensure that all parties are aligned with project expectations at all stages.
• Responsive + Transparent Updates: Our professionals are trained to lead by example, provide responsive updates to all stakeholders including the community when applicable, and address questions or concerns as they arise.
• Clear Documentation: Meticulous records are kept of construction progress, findings, and project changes, providing clients and contractors with a shared source of truth.
• Proactive Problem-Solving: By staying in-step with each partner, our professionals allow parties to know information sooner, address potential issues earlier, and prevent disruptions or construction errors—reducing the need for change orders.

Construction service leaders at ISG would emphasize that a key ingredient to a successful construction process is empathy.

"Our team approaches every project with a people-focused mindset, understanding the importance of empathy in addressing the challenges construction can bring to the public. By listening attentively, engaging proactively, and taking decisive action, we strive to minimize disruptions and deliver the best possible experience throughout every phase of construction." -Nick Frederiksen, ISG Senior Project Manager

Through this proven process and an open feedback loop—including post-project discussions with clients—our team continuously enhances their approach, helping build relationships that last and projects that make a difference.

Case Studies

Street Maintenance Program | West Des Moines, Iowa

Since 2016, ISG has partnered with the City of West Des Moines to provide full-service design and construction-phase services for its street maintenance program. With an annual budget of over $7 million, this program includes hot-mix asphalt (HMA) resurfacing, concrete pavement repair, curb and gutter replacement, and intake repair and replacement. Each project begins with detailed roadway survey and assessments to verify the correct maintenance treatment method, followed by an accelerated design process—which demands responsiveness and efficiency from all stakeholders. Many improvements occur in high-traffic areas, requiring night work to minimize disruption.

Throughout each project, ISG coordinates proactively with the City, contractors, and the community to maintain transparency and accountability. Daily quantity tracking has eliminated unnecessary expenses for the City, while ongoing, on-site punchlist reviews with contractors allow for efficient project wrap-up and minimized rework. For community coordination, ISG provides door-to-door communication about project timelines and street access, helping residents stay informed and reducing inconvenience. This collaborative approach allows ISG to facilitate a positive project experience for project partners and residents alike, and lasting improvements for the community.

"The City of West Des Moines has consulted ISG for many projects over the last eight years. They have proved to be dependable and experts in many parts of our community, including critical infrastructure, roadways, and storm sewer. ISG's staff is unlike others, and we are pleased with their quality of work. I appreciated the teamwork attitude they brought to our projects." -Clint Carpenter, CPM Former Senior Technician, City of West Des Moines

Sumner Avenue Resurfacing | Humboldt, Iowa

For over a decade, the City of Humboldt has looked to ISG as their trusted design and construction oversight partner. On over 75 projects, ISG has served as an extension of the City’s staff, remaining responsive to their needs and committed to providing right-sized solutions that improve the quality of life for their nearly 4,800 residents. From downtown revitalization efforts to utility relocations and street reconstructions, ISG has provided a full-service, collaborative, and proactive construction oversight approach.

For the Sumner Avenue Resurfacing project, ISG minimized change orders and maximized changes throughout construction to increase the longevity to the roadway. These included shop drawing and submittal review, daily site visits and observations, review and approval of change orders and payment requests, Iowa Department of Transportation documentation, and project close-out activities, such as a site walk-through, preparation of a final punch list, and completion of the Iowa DOT audit process.

Learn more about ISG's work in Humboldt on our website and by watching this video:

Water Main Replacement | Pleasantville, Iowa

ISG led the replacement of a vital 3,350-foot water main in Pleasantville, which supplies water to the northern half of the City and supports wholesale distribution to a nearby rural water district. Prompted by frequent winter pipe breaks, an investigation confirmed the aging main required replacement. ISG designed a comprehensive solution that included replacing the water main, associated water services, valves, and hydrants, as well as managing pavement replacement and resurfacing along the corridor. ISG assisted the City in securing funding through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and State Revolving Funds (SRF) to make the project financially feasible.

Throughout construction, ISG provided daily on-site observation and general construction administration, including shop drawing reviews, pay application processing, and regular updates to the City Council. Public communication was prioritized through newsletters at key project milestones, featuring schedules, progress updates, detour maps, and details about upcoming work to keep residents informed and engaged.

"ISG helped the City of Pleasantville with a major water main improvement project. Their work was timely and accurate, and they held the contractor accountable during construction resulting in a minimal amount of change orders. Their effort on the project was one of the many reasons why the City selected them to be our City Engineer." -Shawn Breazeale, Public Works Director, City of Pleasantville

Reach out to learn more about ISG’s construction services team, and how they bring clients and contractors together to build meaningful projects and strong relationships.