David M. Shelton speaks and teaches on a variety of "Integrated Project Delivery" issues, including "Owner Best IPD Practices", "Design Management for Builders", and "The 3PQ Management System". David began putting together pieces of the 3PQ© approach in 1976 while working as a Project Manager for a building component manufacturer in Springfield Missouri. After twelve years in the Construction Industry (seven of which were spent operating his own construction company) David returned to college and completed a Bachelor of Arts, in Studio Art, from Drury College in 1990. In 1992, David received a Masters of Architecture degree from North Carolina State University, with an emphasis in participatory design techniques (used today as a key part of 3PQ©).

For the next seven years, David practiced as an architect in Kansas City. Involved in both public and private sector projects, David was continually struck by the challenges of balancing "satisfying varying wants" with a "fixed cost and schedule". By 1998, the past 23 years of varied experiences had galvanized the core organization and strategy behind The Matrix 3PQ©. That same year Mr. Shelton was one of the founders and a Charter Member of the Mid-American Chapter of the Design-Build Institute of America. David served as the Committee Chair of Education and Research.

In 1999, David co-founded DesignSense Incorporated, a consulting firm focused on assisting owners with 'Project Delivery Management' applying integrated tools and techniques. Since its beginning DesignSense has used progressive iterations of 3PQ© to execute more than $2.2 billion of integrated and design-build projects, totaling nearly 5.5 million square feet of construction throughout the United States, and continues to do so today.

In 2006, Mr. Shelton began to develop an integrated management structure that identifies the practices, characteristics, and sequencing of specific activities necessary to realize Integrated Project Delivery. The 3PQ© Management System was the result. This management system identifies the activities (organized by agenda) and documentation (organized by iterative briefs and control documents), along with the sequential flow diagram to guide the owner from inception to operation & occupancy. It is the basis of IPDEducation.

As a licensed builder and architect, David M. Shelton has served the Design/Construction Industry for some 33 years. David is an active member of the Design-Build Institute of America, the American Institute of Architects, and his work and commentary have been published in a variety of trade magazines. He is an instructor for DBIA and 3PQ© Management System courses across the US. As a faculty member of the University of Kansas School of Architecture, David teaches Integrated Project Delivery Management.

In addition, David has presented to practitioners, students and faculty at Iowa State University, University of Missouri Kansas City, University of Nebraska, Pittsburg State University in Kansas, and at various venues for DBIA, AGC, and AIA.