Higher-education institutions are facing financial crises in their capital programs. Constant increases in the cost of oil, combined with material shortages in copper, steel and gypsum products, have contributed to an inexorable rise in the cost of construction. At the same time, capital budgets are decreasing. The result is that the education industry is caught in a "perfect storm" of circumstances: (1) Competition for financial resources has increased; (2) Competition for students has increased; and (3) Consumer expectations have increased. Thus, architects, planners and designers have to do more with less. A project team should be focused on effectively maintaining scope, budget and schedule. Higher-education institutions must find unique and ambitious ways to overcome today's construction challenges.