With a perspective gained from subcontracting across many of the industry's largest construction projects, from architectural design through to creative commissioning, we see a remarkable number of commonalities in where installation projects start to slip from the vision the client bought into. Noting how these problematic moments are modified by both budget and geography, this piece will explore precedents of how and when design teams might accept compromise, what constitutes "good" design in relation to audience experience, and how a project team can protect both their vision, and themselves, through the tendering process.