Research Article

Rule-Based Process Governance in Early Architectural Design

Volume: 10 Number: 3 October 10, 2026
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Rule-Based Process Governance in Early Architectural Design

Abstract

Early architectural design is a dynamic stage characterised by high uncertainty, in which decision-making directly shapes process behaviour. Traditional approaches model this stage as linear, phase-based workflows, leaving feedback conditions, decision triggers, and process reconfiguration largely implicit. This study addresses that gap by extending the concept of rules from object production to process organisation, proposing a conceptual framework in which the design process itself is governed by explicit condition–action relationships. Accordingly, the study asks how explicit condition–action rules can be used to govern process transitions, decision gates, feedback, convergence, and traceability in early architectural design. The framework is developed through three integrated components: a process architecture defining phases and decision gates, a rule execution mechanism, and a process data layer. Within this structure, six rule families govern phase transitions, decision nodes, feedback thresholds, convergence, conflict resolution, and traceability. The framework treats the designer as the central agent: rules define the conditions under which judgement is exercised and recorded, rather than replacing it. The primary contribution is to reposition rule-based thinking from design objects to process organisation, enabling early-design transitions, decisions, and feedback to be specified rather than managed implicitly. The framework's operation is illustrated through a scenario across three threshold calibrations, with empirical validation identified as the primary direction for future work.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Financial Support: This study has not been supported by any institution or organisation. You said: teşekkür- ing ve türkçe

Ethical Statement

This study is conceptual in nature and does not involve human participants, experiments, clinical data, or confidential information. Ethics committee approval is not required. Informed consent was not applicable.

Thanks

Acknowledgements: None.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Architectural Design, Information Technologies in Architecture and Design

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 10, 2026

Submission Date

May 20, 2026

Acceptance Date

October 4, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 3

APA
Öz, K. (2026). Rule-Based Process Governance in Early Architectural Design. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research, 10(3), 420-435. https://doi.org/10.54864/planarch.1955178
AMA
1.Öz K. Rule-Based Process Governance in Early Architectural Design. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research. 2026;10(3):420-435. doi:10.54864/planarch.1955178
Chicago
Öz, Kadir. 2026. “Rule-Based Process Governance in Early Architectural Design”. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research 10 (3): 420-35. https://doi.org/10.54864/planarch.1955178.
EndNote
Öz K (October 1, 2026) Rule-Based Process Governance in Early Architectural Design. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research 10 3 420–435.
IEEE
[1]K. Öz, “Rule-Based Process Governance in Early Architectural Design”, PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 420–435, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.54864/planarch.1955178.
ISNAD
Öz, Kadir. “Rule-Based Process Governance in Early Architectural Design”. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research 10/3 (October 1, 2026): 420-435. https://doi.org/10.54864/planarch.1955178.
JAMA
1.Öz K. Rule-Based Process Governance in Early Architectural Design. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research. 2026;10:420–435.
MLA
Öz, Kadir. “Rule-Based Process Governance in Early Architectural Design”. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research, vol. 10, no. 3, Oct. 2026, pp. 420-35, doi:10.54864/planarch.1955178.
Vancouver
1.Kadir Öz. Rule-Based Process Governance in Early Architectural Design. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research. 2026 Oct. 1;10(3):420-35. doi:10.54864/planarch.1955178

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