Decision Pyramid

The decision-making process for a construction project is a continual balancing act between content and budget. There is a range of options for dealing with each facet of the design solution, be it an academic requirement, a mechanical necessity, an environmental concern, or a host of other issues, and each option has an associated cost. The successful project combines the optimal design solution with an acceptable cost.

The Study and Program Phases of the construction process identify all the requirements and components of the project. These project elements can be sorted into categories, such as "high", "medium", or "low" (referring to cost or quality) and required or optional. Some items may be placed in an "ideal" or "wish list" category. The project budget rarely spreads so far as to cover these items, but they may still be made possible through gifts or some other funding source.

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