The EBFC Show CBA - Pros & Cons: Better Decisions with Paz Arroyo
What if the real problem on your project isn’t budget, scope, or schedule — but how decisions are actually made? 🤯
In this episode of The EBFC Show, Felipe Engineer-Manriquez is joined by Dr. Paz Arroyo — author of Building Decisions, CBA evangelist, and DPR's culture of quality champion — to unravel the mess behind most construction decisions and reveal a better path forward.
Together, they dive into the science and soul of sound decision-making with Choosing by Advantages (CBA) — a powerful, underused method that helps teams cut through bias, confusion, and decision fatigue with clarity and respect.
🎯 What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why “pros and cons” are a trap for critical thinking 😬
- How CBA helps teams align on what really matters — and why
- The human (and hilarious) side of decision-making in big families, big projects, and cell phone shopping 📱
- Real stories from mega projects where CBA shifted the game
- How to make durable, collaborative, and transparent decisions
- Why most teams aren’t taught to separate value from cost — and what that costs them 💸
- How CBA supports #respectforpeople by including every voice in the room
💡 Whether you’re building skyscrapers, choosing a structural system, or just arguing over iPhone vs. Android — this episode will change how you think about thinking.
📘 Grab the book “Building Decisions” and dig deeper into practical, field-tested ways to apply CBA on your project.
🧠 Want to make better decisions that stick? This episode is for builders, leaders, owners, and anyone tired of flip-flopping, second-guessing, or defaulting to “we’ve always done it this way.”
Books
“Building Decisions” by Paz Arroyo, Annett Schöttle, and Randi Christensen
Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/4mJMjDC
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Connect with Paz via
LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paz-arroyo-phd-27b282b/
Connect with Felipe via
Social media and Free Lean and Scrum Training Resources at https://thefelipe.bio.link
RSM Podia Course Link: https://store.theebfcshow.com/rsm
Subscribe to never miss new videos here: https://click.theebfcshow.com/youtube
Watch The EBFC Show Podcast https://click.theebfcshow.com/YouTube-Podcast
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Today's episode is sponsored by the Lean Construction Institute (LCI). This non-profit organization operates as a catalyst to transform the industry through Lean project delivery using an operating system centered on a common language, fundamental principles, and basic practices. Learn more at https://www.leanconstruction.org
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