What type of requirements is commonly described as the cookbook approach?

• A. Prescriptive
• B. Performance-Based
• C. Bridging
• D. Open-Book

Answer: (A)

Prescriptive requirements specify exactly what must be done, with detailed instructions, materials, and procedures. The “cookbook approach” fits this because it provides fixed steps to follow, leaving little room for interpretation or alternative methods. In design-build, this contrasts with performance-based requirements, which state the desired outcomes and let the team decide how to achieve them. Bridging documents translate the owner's program into design criteria but aren’t about step-by-step instructions, and Open-Book refers to pricing practices rather than a type of requirement.