Investors Need Greater Involvement in Original Design

Investors need greater involvement in original design.

At its core, this is a balance between the budget and the experience delivered. Suppose a budget of 100 produces an effect valued at 500. Doubling the budget to 200 does not guarantee an effect valued at 1,000. These are hypothetical figures, used to illustrate the relationship between spending and results.

The experience can depend on large elements, such as live performer scenes and the coordination of sound, lighting and electronic effects. It can also depend on small details, such as a clever puzzle mechanism or the material chosen for a decorative prop.

Throughout this process, someone needs to control the budget while understanding venue operations and how the design works in practice. When a theme falls short of expectations, that person needs the authority to increase the budget and improve quality. When spending exceeds the budget, they also need the authority to adjust the design and protect cash flow.

Designers tend to focus on how to spend money, while finance teams tend to focus on how to save it. The person responsible for both the budget and the delivered experience needs to understand both perspectives and take responsibility for the operating decisions.