Design projects surface values. Aligning decision rights early is as important as picking a style.
Pick a decision protocol
Who breaks ties? What needs unanimous consent? Write it down before schematic design.
One channel of feedback
Consolidated comments beat six text threads to the architect at midnight.
Budget honesty
Hidden “real” budgets between partners create redesign pain. Share the band with the team.
Kids and elders
Bring real users into programming once — not after millwork is ordered.