We describe algebraic obstruction theories for realizing an abstract (co)al
gebra K-* over the mod p Steenrod algebra as the (co)homology of a topologi
cal space., and for distinguishing between the p-homotopy types of differen
t realizations. The theories are expressed in terms of the Quillen cohomolo
gy of K-*. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.