Constructive Criticism - Episode 3 The External Tug of War: Who Sets The Targets?

Every project has targets — schedule, budget, scope, and performance. The problem? Not everyone agrees on who actually sets them.In this episode of The Constructive Criticism Podcast, we break down The External Tug of War — the constant push and pull between owners, architects, contractors, lenders, and regulators, all pulling in different directions while expecting the same outcome.We dig into:Who really sets project targets — and who just inherits themHow unrealistic budgets and schedules get locked in earlyWhy targets shift without accountability once construction startsThe role lenders, funding sources, and public requirements quietly playHow misaligned targets turn into change orders, delays, and finger-pointingThis isn’t about blaming one party. It’s about exposing how misaligned expectations at the front end create downstream chaos — and why most projects are set up to fight themselves before they ever break ground.If you’ve ever been handed a schedule or budget and told to “make it work,” this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar.