FIDIC Books, side by side.
The complete comparison across the four principal FIDIC contract forms. Design responsibility, risk, payment, complexity and best-use case — from a project controls perspective, not a legal one.
| Dimension | Red Book | Yellow Book | Silver Book | Green Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contract type | Construction, Employer-designed | Plant & Design-Build | EPC / Turnkey | Short Form |
| Design responsibility | Employer | Contractor | Contractor (fitness for purpose) | As agreed in Particular Conditions |
| Construction responsibility | Contractor | Contractor | Contractor | Contractor |
| Risk allocation | Shared, moderate on Contractor | Weighted towards Contractor | Heavily on Contractor | Lighter, proportionate to value |
| Payment basis | Re-measured (typically) | Lump sum (typically) | Lump sum | Milestones or measured |
| Typical project | Roads, bridges, water networks, Employer-designed civils | Process plant, MEP, data centres, industrial buildings | LNG, refineries, power generation, turnkey facilities | Small or straightforward works |
| Contractor responsibility level | Moderate | High (design + construction) | Highest (design, procurement, construction, performance) | Low-to-moderate |
| Employer responsibility level | High (design, land, permits) | Moderate (requirements, land, permits) | Low (requirements + payment) | Proportionate to project |
| Administrative complexity | High | High | Moderate (fewer determinations) | Low |
| Best use case | Employer wants control of design | Employer wants outcome, Contractor wants design freedom | Employer wants cost/time certainty and will pay a premium | Small or repetitive works |
How to read this comparison
Choosing the wrong Book for a project is one of the most consequential decisions in FIDIC procurement. A Silver Book on a scope the Contractor cannot control produces a hostile, claim-heavy delivery. A Green Book on a project that should have been Yellow leaves both parties without the machinery they need when something goes wrong. A Red Book where the Employer wanted a single-point EPC outcome creates constant interface friction.
The four Books are not interchangeable. Each was designed for a specific delivery model with a specific risk profile. Understanding that difference — and defending it during procurement — is one of the most valuable things a Project Controls professional can do.
Common comparison questions
Red Book vs Yellow Book: The line is design responsibility. If the Employer wants to control the design (and therefore accept design risk), Red Book. If the Employer wants the Contractor to design (and therefore price the design risk), Yellow Book.
Yellow Book vs Silver Book: The line is how much risk the Employer transfers. Yellow Book keeps the traditional Engineer role and shares some risks. Silver Book pushes further — ground conditions, Employer's Requirements errors, unforeseeable events all typically move to the Contractor.
Green Book vs everything else: The line is proportionality. On a small or straightforward project, the full machinery of the Rainbow Suite is overkill and creates cost without protecting risk. On anything else, use one of the Rainbow Suite Books.
Deep-dive on each Book: Red Book · Yellow Book · Silver Book · Green Book.
Answers before you ask.
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