Why Great Documentation Matters in Hospitality Design
- Michelle Madison
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
Five Principles Behind Great Documentation at MICHE.studio
We recently received one of the best compliments a hospitality design team can hear last week from a project manager at a major hotel brand:
Reviewing your documents was a pleasure. You wouldn't believe the quality of documents we review.
Cue a MICHE team happy dance.
If you are outside the industry, you may not be familiar with the behind the scenes work that contributes to a successful interior design project. Ninety percent of the work we do is documenting the design. Construction documents, FF&E specifications, finish specifications, and detailed coordination drawings are what transform our ideas into spaces that can actually be built... and enjoyed by guests.
You could say, for MICHE, documentation is so special, it even comes with its own acronym - C.Y.A. (wink wink).
At MICHE.studio, Senior Designer Sara Streeter and Founder Michelle Madison both come from design backgrounds where thorough and heavily detailed documentation are the standard. That practice has become a cornerstone of our design studio. In fact, we invest hours into training staff, standardizing our specification templates and construction document standards, and constant updates to our Revit template. We are always working on making our documentation processes more thorough and efficient to ultimately save time and make a better product.
MICHE Documentation Principles
No drawing set is ever 100% complete.
Projects evolve. Existing conditions are uncovered. Brand standards change. Client priorities shift.
The goal isn't perfection; it's creating documentation that is clear, coordinated, and adaptable as the project develops.
Consistency builds confidence.
Whether one person or an entire team contributes to a drawing set, it should feel like it was created by a single designer. Consistent naming conventions, sheet organization, annotations, and graphic standards make documents easier to navigate and reduce confusion in the field.
Construction documents carry contractual weight.
Construction documents are more than drawings - they are a contractual deliverable that requires accuracy, coordination, and attention to detail. Every note, dimension, finish, and specification has the potential to influence pricing, timeline, and project outcomes - making accuracy, coordination, and clarity essential.
If 80% of the original design makes it to completion - that is a successful project.
One of the best pieces of advice we've ever received was this: if 80% of the original design makes it to completion, you've had a successful project.
We believe success isn't about preserving every original selection - it's about adapting thoughtfully while protecting the overall vision and project goals. Sometimes that means saying goodbye to a favorite tile because it's discontinued or out of stock - or stuck on a boat in a canal. Sometimes, it means reworking a detail to accommodate an unforeseen condition.
Budgets shift, products are discontinued, and existing building conditions require creative solutions. Good documentation provides a foundation, but great design requires flexibility.
Document your documentation process.
Great documentation doesn't happen by chance. It starts long before the first sheet is created. MICHE thinks solid project documentation starts with, what else, a carefully documented process. By documenting our internal standards - from naming conventions and graphic standards, to quality control checklists and file organization - we create a repeatable process that delivers consistency across every project by every team member.
At the end of the day, great documentation is more than just drawings; it's about building (pun intended) confidence for owners making investment decisions, contractors constructing the physical space, consultants coordinating their work, and guests ultimately experiencing the finished space. That's why high document standards will always be at the core of MICHE.studio.
Sometimes, the best compliment isn't about how a space looks. To MICHE's design team, it's being told that reviewing our documents was a delight!
Planning a hotel renovation or new construction project? Partner with a team that believes great hospitality design starts with great documentation. We'd love to show you how thoughtful coordination, technical expertise, and collaborative project leadership can help bring your vision to life.
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