Because not everybody gets the idea of integrated design and delivery yet, I'm glad AIA National and the AIA California Council collaborated on Integrated Project Delivery: A Guide... and even more glad that they're making it available as a free-to-download pdf. The 57-page document provides plenty of context and content, though the tightly coiled architect-speak might make a good chunk of the people who most need to be exposed to this information clench their jaws. It's worth spending some time with the document, even if you're already familiar with the concepts it covers. [Update, Nov 12 '07: see Maybe not so great after all: AIA Guide to Integrated Project Delivery] From the introduction:

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is a project delivery approach that integrates people, systems, business structures and practices into a process that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to optimize project results, increase value to the owner, reduce waste, and maximize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication, and construction.

Further reading in BuildingGreen Suite:

• Integrated Design; Environmental Building News feature, November 2004
• Whole Systems Thinking: 24 articles from EBN
• Integrated Design Process: 22 articles from EBN