This paper discusses five key issues in the design phase of a construction project that can improve the quality, cost, or time of construction. These five ways are: education specifications, design standards, prototype designs, value engineering, and selecting a qualified architect. To facilitate discussion, the background section of this paper first explains the overall project delivery process. In the background section educational specifications, design standards, prototypes, value engineering, and selecting an architect are defined and each is discussed based on current best practices. Then there is a discussion of the level of input a state may have when implementing each of these practices. Next, in the "Current Conditions" section, the paper explains what is currently being done regarding each of the five topics in Georgia and nationally. The third section of the paper highlights key findings about these topics. The final section of the paper presents various alternatives for each topic discussed. (EV)