AI-generated cabin concept, used for illustration.
In this guide
Record what was decided, by whom and which documents it changes. A message saying “that is fine” is hard to use later when several options were being discussed.
Use one decision per entry
Include the date, question, options considered, agreed outcome and responsible person. Attach the drawing or photo reference. Keep a status such as proposed, awaiting review or agreed using the project's chosen process.
| Field | Illustrative entry |
|---|---|
| Question | Can the cupboard door move to the adjacent wall? |
| Dependency | Equipment service access and room circulation |
| Review | Designer and installer to confirm revised arrangement |
| Cost/time | Contractor to state effect before instruction |
| Final record | Revised drawing reference and agreement date |
This example is a recording method, not a substitute for the approvals your project needs.
Distinguish a preference from an instruction
An owner's preference still may require design review and a priced change. Do not let a discussion sketch become an instruction by accident. Ask the project lead how approved changes will be communicated to the people doing the work.
Where a decision affects safety, structural design or compliance, have the appropriate professional resolve it. A tidy log cannot make an unsuitable detail acceptable.
Review unresolved entries regularly
Sort open decisions by the task they block. Choosing a cabinet handle can wait longer than settling a concealed plumbing route. Give each item a next action and a person, rather than repeatedly noting that it is “in progress.”
At handover, retain decisions that explain hidden work or departures from the initial design. Cross-reference the drawing revision register and change-order record. The project checklist helps track the resulting tasks, while the log keeps the reasoning and agreement history.