Which sequence lists the six steps in correct order?

• A. Initial client contact; Programming; Schematic design; Design development; Contract documentation; Contract administration
• B. Initial client contact; Schematic design; Programming; Design development; Contract documentation; Contract administration
• C. Initial client contact; Programming; Schematic design; Contract documentation; Design development; Contract administration
• D. Initial client contact; Programming; Schematic design; Design development; Contract administration; Contract documentation

Answer: (A)

The sequence tests how a design project unfolds from understanding the client to delivering and overseeing the build. You start by meeting the client and gathering their needs, aims, and constraints—this is programming. With those requirements in hand, you move into schematic design, where you sketch out concepts, space relationships, and rough layouts to see what will work. Once a concept is favored, you develop it further in design development, refining drawings, elevations, and selections into a more complete picture of the designs. After that, you produce contract documentation, which includes the detailed drawings and specs needed for bidding and construction. Finally, you enter contract administration, where you monitor the construction to ensure it follows the documented plan.

This order—initial client contact, programming, schematic design, design development, contract documentation, contract administration—best reflects the logical flow from defining needs to designing, detailing, and delivering the project. Placing schematic design before programming would mean trying to conceptualize without a clear set of requirements. Reversing design development and contract documentation would produce construction documents based on an incomplete design. And moving contract administration before documentation would leave no solid basis for overseeing the build.