Use a status everyone understands
- Exploring: collecting ideas or options.
- Needs information: waiting for dimensions, suitability or another answer.
- Ready for review: the responsible people have enough information to assess it.
- Approved: record the authorized decision using the project’s agreed process.
- Changed: identify the replacement choice and preserve the earlier record.
A status in your personal notes does not authorize a purchase or construction change. Agree who can approve what and where the actual approval is recorded.
Keep the dependencies visible
An appliance model can affect cabinet dimensions. A sink can affect its cabinet, countertop and connections. Ask the responsible designer or installer which information is needed before the next choice can be made.
For a layout change, identify the outside professional review needed before treating an idea as a construction instruction. Keep manufacturer, model, dimensions and installation information with the candidate product.
Make changes and next actions clear
Keep the earlier decision, the current choice and the reason for the change together. Ask whether it affects scope, cost, ordering or schedule before proceeding. Record agreed dates instead of inventing deadlines.
Choose a household contact to gather questions and record the next responsible person. Raise missing information early, then update the log after the discussion so everyone uses the same current record.