Headline: Why Most Architecture Projects Lose Money Before the First Wall is Drawn

Have you ever finished a project only to realize that your fee barely covered the time you spent at the computer?

In my 30 years of teaching and practicing architecture, I’ve seen the same pattern repeat: A designer gets a refined concept and jumps straight into the 3D model.

This is a trap. When you start modeling before you’ve planned your documentation, you are "guessing until the time runs out." You haven't accounted for the six extra details the building consent officer will want, or the complexity of the plumbing coordination on that slope.

The Solution: Document Content Analysis (DCA)

I’ve spent two decades refining a system I call Document Content Analysis (DCA)—or "Cartooning" the set. Before I touch a mouse, I take a stack of A4 paper. One sheet of paper for every single drawing in the project.

• Sheet 1: The Site Plan. I sketch the boundaries and the legal recession planes.

• Sheet 2: The Foundation. I mark where the point loads and drainage must go.

• Sheets 3-4: The Floor Plans. I outline the structural openings and dimension strings.

• Sheets 5-6: Roof Plans. I solve the drainage logic and weatherproofing early.

• Sheets 7-8: Elevations. I prove the materials and compliance with height boundaries.

• Sheets 9-11: Sections. I slice through the building to check headrooms and internal volumes.

• Sheets 12+: The Details. I apply my Golden Rule: Every time there is a change in plane or a change in material, I create a new A4 detail sheet.

The "Profit Check"

Once I have my stack of A4 sheets, I have a physical representation of the work. If I have 20 sheets and I know it takes a day to produce a high-quality sheet, I have a 20-day project.

If my fee only covers 10 days of work, I have two choices:

1. Renegotiate the fee based on the documented scope.

2. Simplify the design to reduce the drawing volume.

By doing this on paper, it costs pennies. Doing it in a 3D model costs thousands.

Stop Drawing. Start Planning.

DCA isn't just about drawing; it’s about software architecture. Your A4 sketches tell you exactly which Classes and Layers you need in Vectorworks before you even open the file. It turns a chaotic creative process into a linear, profitable production roadmap.

If you want to move from being a "drafter" to a Project Manager who actually makes a profit, you need to master this system.

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Ready to master the DCA workflow?

I’ve uploaded a full DCA Masterclass and a downloadable SOP Guide for my community members.

👉 Join the Vectorworks Training School Community

Or, if you have a complex project starting next week and you want me to walk you through the DCA process personally:

👉 Book a Private DCA Workshop with Jonathan

#Architecture #BIM #Vectorworks #ProjectManagement #DCA #ArchitectureBusiness #DesignEfficiency