Casey Murphy, CID
Senior Interior Designer & Project Manager
“This project is taking too long.”
“When will it be done?”
“Can this be completed by the end of the year?”
Sound familiar? If so, chances are you’re dealing with an unrealistic deadline.
Deadlines can be frustrating because bringing a project to completion on time requires carefully orchestrating activities and managing expectations across many groups of stakeholders and schedules. The result can be a beautiful symphony or something that sounds like a broken record.
Reporting to the C-Suite, engaging with end-users, and working with contractors, furniture dealers, acousticians, data engineers, and movers are only a fraction of what is involved in a workplace design project. The secret to making it all work? Without exception, it all comes down to knowing the full scope of work.
Completing a project with a particular order of operations requires a solid understanding of the project’s entire scope of work and the construction process to make it all possible. This can be the difference between having a packed or open schedule, filling your day with too many tasks versus the right ones, and feeling stressed or relaxed during the project.
Even projects that appear minor can involve multiple trades. For example, if your facility needs to convert a single conference room into two huddle rooms, it might seem simple enough to build a wall, put in a new door, and call it a day. However, completing a project
like this on time requires a carpenter and the know-how to determine whether additional data lines, sprinklers, air circulation, and switching are needed. Also, it is imperative to have the expertise to consider other items that impact timely completion: Is there a supply chain issue with the lighting to be added to the new room? Does the project require permitting with your local municipality?
Without a proper understanding of the full scope of work, it will be nearly impossible to avoid dealing with unrealistic deadlines. In fact, you might not even know that it’s unrealistic until after the project has started. Working with an experienced design team is the best way to know the project’s full scope of work and be able to communicate clearly to all parties involved. Being transparent is a tremendous advantage to keeping a schedule on track. Managing expectations of each person’s role can drive a project forward even on the tightest schedules.
With 2023 quickly approaching, many companies have “end of year spend” to dispense with before the fiscal year is completed. Make this the year that you choose to initiate priority projects, work with a skilled team of designers, and have the peace of mind that comes from knowing what to expect.
Schedule a consultation with us today and stop tolerating unrealistic deadlines and instead be prepared to bring the job in on time and on budget.
