The Hidden Risk of Delayed Decision-Making

Timing Is Leverage

In complex construction programs, timing influences cost as much as scope. Decisions that lag behind schedule progression can disrupt procurement, compress sequencing, and introduce pricing premiums.

Even well-considered choices lose leverage when made too late.

Delayed decisions create cascading impacts across trades, vendors, and milestones.

Creating Decision Structure

Effective projects establish clear approval timelines tied directly to schedule logic and procurement sequencing.

Structured approaches include:

• Predefined decision milestones aligned with design development stages

• Escalation protocols for unresolved selections

• Impact analysis prior to late-stage scope adjustments

• Clear accountability for owner and stakeholder approvals

When decision-making cadence aligns with execution cadence, schedule integrity is preserved.

The Result

Disciplined decision timing reduces change order exposure, protects procurement pricing, and minimizes critical path disruption.

In capital projects, proactive leadership is often measured not only by what decisions are made — but when they are made.