One of the most common problems in wayfinding projects happens before the project even starts. Wayfinding is added to a tender after the design work has begun or after the signage company has been selected. At that point, the structure of the building and the visual system are already fixed, and the communication trail has never been analysed.

This almost always leads to inconsistency. The signage team ends up guessing at the logic. The design team tries to decorate the information rather than structure it. The estate team does its best to keep things updated. And yet the system still feels like a mixture of different ideas competing for attention.

A tender works best when the wayfinding strategy is in place first. That does not mean a full design. It means clarity. Clarity on the routes people will take. Clarity on the tone of voice. Clarity on how many messages a person should see at once. Clarity on how the building actually behaves during different times of day.

Once you have that structure, everything else becomes easier. Designers know the hierarchy. Signage companies can quote accurately. Contractors know what to install. The client knows what they are paying for. And the final result ends up lasting far longer and costing far less over time.

The earlier you bring in independent wayfinding expertise, the better the outcome. Even a short advisory stage before tendering can prevent years of confusion and thousands of pounds in unnecessary signage.

Think of wayfinding as the foundation. If the foundation is right, the rest of the project sits comfortably on top.