You might have heard the old saying in project management: “Fast, Cheap, Good – pick two.” It’s one of those simple models that has stood the test of time. Known formally as the Project Management Triangle or Triple Constraint, it highlights the trade-offs between time, cost, and quality.
What It Means
The idea is straightforward:
- Fast: You want it delivered quickly.
- Cheap: You want it to cost as little as possible.
- Good: You want it to be high quality.
The catch? You can rarely have all three at once. If it’s fast and cheap, it probably won’t be good. If it’s cheap and good, it won’t be fast. And if it’s fast and good, it definitely won’t be cheap.
How the Triangle Works in Project Management
In traditional project management, this triangle helps teams and clients align expectations. Every project sits within three constraints: time, cost, and scope (or quality). When you change one, you inevitably affect the others. For example, if you shorten the delivery time, you’ll likely need more resources (increasing cost) or reduce the scope (lowering quality). The triangle keeps everyone grounded in reality and ensures decision-making stays transparent and fair.
How We’ve Adapted It for Web Design and Development
At Brain Box Media, we’ve taken this classic concept and applied it to our website delivery process. When a client begins a project with us, we start by discussing where their priorities lie. Are they:
- Trying to launch quickly to meet a campaign or event date?
- Focused on keeping costs low while still getting something solid and functional?
- Or is their main concern a pixel-perfect, custom-built site that stands out from the competition?
We help them visualise this balance early on. It’s not about telling clients what they can’t have. it’s about helping them make informed trade-offs so the final result aligns with their goals and expectations.
What Quality Really Means for a Website
In the web world, “quality” isn’t just about pretty design. It means:
- Performance: Fast load times and optimised content.
- Usability: Intuitive navigation and clear calls to action.
- Scalability: A site built to grow with your business.
- SEO readiness: Structured content and clean code to help search engines (and users) find you.
- Security: Proper hosting, SSL, and maintenance practices.
Rushing a build might get a website live faster, but it often means cutting corners; skipping testing, ignoring SEO fundamentals, or settling for generic templates. These shortcuts tend to cost more in the long run.
How We Keep the Balance
We’ve developed frameworks and workflows that help balance all three sides of the triangle more effectively. By using tools like WordPress + Elementor, we can produce high-quality websites quickly, without the overheads of custom-coded builds. Perfect for small to mid-sized businesses.
When budgets allow and timelines are flexible, we can layer in deeper customisation, bespoke integrations, or unique design touches that elevate the experience. The key is transparency: helping clients understand what each choice means for their project’s outcome.
The Takeaway
The Fast, Cheap, Good triangle isn’t about limitation; it’s about clarity. By knowing where your project sits within those three points, you make smarter decisions and set more realistic expectations.
At Brain Box Media, we use this model not as a restriction but as a conversation starter. It helps us and our clients co-create solutions that balance speed, cost, and quality in a way that makes sense for each unique project.
