How We Make Better Decisions: Using the “Choose by Advantage” Method at Anderson Porter Design
At Anderson Porter Design, we believe that great architecture isn’t just about aesthetics, but about making the right decisions tied to relevant data. Whether we’re revitalizing a historic structure or designing a cutting-edge facility from the ground up, we rely on a trusted process to guide our choices: the Choose by Advantage (CBA) decision-making system.
Developed by Jim Suhr and detailed in his book The Choosing by Advantages Decisionmaking System, Choose by Advantage is a practical system for making sound decisions, especially when many variables are in play. Unlike more common methods that rank or score options based on personal preferences, CBA is rooted in facts. It emphasizes the importance of each choice, not just the number of features or benefits it may offer.
Brian Anderson managing a team
If you’re like me, then you heavily utilize Pros and Cons lists when making decisions. CBA is a more advanced version of mapping out advantages and disadvantages, all while revealing the biases you may have towards certain alternatives.
In simple terms, instead of asking, “What do we like best?”, we ask, “What matters most, and why?”
How CBA is Used in Architecture
In architecture and design, we’re constantly navigating complexity. Projects have layers of budget constraints, performance requirements, and design goals. The CBA method helps us cut through that complexity by:
Focusing on real differences between options
Making compromises as clear as possible without oversimplifying
Building consensus among clients, consultants, and team members
For us, it’s about aligning decisions with project values and long-term outcomes.
Let’s say we’re selecting an HVAC system for a sustainable building. Cost, energy efficiency, noise level, maintenance, and carbon footprint are all on the table. Rather than lumping these into a generic scorecard, we:
List the alternatives (three HVAC systems)
Identify the attributes that matter (lifecycle cost, energy use, flexibility)
Determine the quality of each option (how each differs in meaningful ways)
Judge the importance of those advantages based on project priorities (a project that’s focused on carbon footprint, not causing noise pollution and efficiency)
Choose the option with the most favorable responses (one HVAC system costs less than the others, has the best carbon footprint, and is equal in noise level to another alternative)
By focusing on the importance of each real-world difference, we would come to the conclusion that the HVAC system mentioned above would make the most sense for the project. Thus, the final decision would be value-driven, and not based on popularity.
From material selection to big-picture programming decisions, CBA shows up frequently across our workflow. It’s especially useful during early design phases, where foundational choices have long-term consequences. It also builds trust with our clients, who always appreciate a clear and reasonable process behind every recommendation.
At Anderson Porter Design, we don’t just design buildings, we design outcomes. The Choose by Advantage system helps us do that with clarity and confidence.
Have a complex project with tough decisions ahead? Let’s talk. We’d love to show you how smart thinking leads to smart design.