Which document is critical to guiding design decisions after Phase 1?

• A. Schedule
• B. Basis of design
• C. Construction drawings
• D. Submittals

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that after Phase 1, the document that steers all further design decisions is the Basis of Design. This document captures the owner’s program in concrete design terms—stating the performance requirements, design criteria, systems and components to be used, and the overall design intent. It serves as the reference point for evaluating options, making trade-offs, and justifying why specific design choices are made as the project moves into development. Because it links what the owner wants with how the project will be built, it stays current with design development and guides decisions across disciplines, ensuring everyone stays aligned with the project goals.

Schedules, while essential for timing and sequencing, do not guide how the design is conceived. Construction drawings come later and show how to build, reflecting decisions already made. Submittals are about proposed products and details to be approved, not the guiding criteria for the design itself.