When do you need to start to be operational on time?
Enter your target operational date and project type. We work backwards and mark the three board decision points.
The Decision Timeline works backwards from the target operational date and places the three points where the board really has to decide. Designed to prevent the strategic cadence of a project from being smothered by the operational cadence of execution partners.
Why plan backwards
Forward planning gives architects and contractors control of the timeline. Planning backwards from a strategically important date — a brand moment, a lease expiry, a merger — forces everyone to work from the organisation's need.
The tool calculates a realistic total duration per project type (transformation 12–18 months, headquarters renovation 18–30 months, new build 30–48 months) and places three mandatory board decisions within it.
The three board decisions
Decision 1 — Strategic frame: scope, ambition and investment frame are fixed. Fine-tuning is still possible afterwards; changing direction is not, without significant cost.
Decision 2 — Concept design and TCO: the board commits to design direction, estimates and Total Cost of Occupancy. At this point most 'we could also do it differently' debates collapse.
Decision 3 — Execution mandate: award to design and execution partners, lock risk budget, lock change governance. From here the project is operational, no longer strategic.
Where time is lost
Time is rarely lost in the construction phase. It is lost waiting for a board decision not on any agenda, renegotiating because scope was never made explicit, and aligning with permit authorities brought in too late.
A backwards timeline surfaces those risk points before they cause damage.
Want to test your timeline against our experience with comparable projects? That fits into a 45-minute strategy session.
Book strategy session →Before the first decision is made.
A strategy session is the moment to clarify your context and the strategic choices around your workspace investment — before design and construction set the direction.