The NCIDQ IDPX exam tests the designer’s ability to manage budgets and client expectations throughout a project. In this scenario, the client’s addition of higher-quality items led to a budget overrun, indicating a lack of communication and monitoring during the design process.

Option A (Included a contingency line item in the budget):A contingency line item is useful for unexpected costs (e.g., construction issues), but it does not prevent the client from making choices that exceed the budget. It addresses the symptom (budget overrun) rather than the cause (lack of budget oversight).

Option B (Required the client to fill out preliminary budget sheets):While this might provide initial clarity on the client’s priorities, it does not ensure ongoing budget management. The client may still make changes during the design process, as happened here, without understanding the budget impact.

Option C (Reviewed the budget status more frequently with the client):This is the best preventive action because regular budget reviews would have allowed the designer to inform the client of the cost implications of adding higher-quality items. Frequent communication ensures that the client understands how their decisions affect the budget, enabling adjustments before the project goes over budget.

Option D (Redefined the specifications based on a square foot budget):A square foot budget is more common for commercial projects and does not directly address the client’s decision-making process. Redefining specifications might help after the issue is identified, but it is not a preventive measure for this scenario.

Verified Answer from Official Source:

The correct answer is verified from NCIDQ’s official study materials on project management and budget oversight.

“Designers should review the budget status with the client regularly throughout the project to ensure that design decisions align with the approved budget and to address any discrepancies promptly.” (NCIDQ IDPX Study Guide, Project Management Section)

The NCIDQ IDPX Study Guide emphasizes the importance of ongoing budget reviews with the client to prevent cost overruns. By reviewing the budget more frequently, the designer could have flagged the cost impact of the client’s changes early, allowing for informed decisions to stay within budget. Option C directly addresses this best practice.

Objectives:

Understand the importance of budget management in the design process (NCIDQ IDPX Objective: Project Management).

Apply communication strategies to manage client expectations (NCIDQ IDPX Objective: Professional Practice).