With any project, commercial or residential, there is a long list of possibilities! Some disruptions are expected and reasonable. Others can be quite a different story!
On the list are situations such as staff displacement. While it may not seem as though it should be considered one of the simpler disruptions, it is exactly that! When compared with the little list of possible horrors, temporarily displacing a business staff can be managed smoothly with careful preparation, planning and execution.
Residential projects where the family is present can be inconvenient and temporarily uncomfortable because normal routines are disrupted. But here, too, there are many workable solutions to ease the stress.
Every professional team has stories to tell about unpredictable, unexpected and untoward situations that have arisen in their portfolio of projects. There are some examples that seemed to test good will and relationships almost to the breaking point.
One of my personally favorite examples involves the sub-contractor who (hopefully unwittingly) surprises you by sending the crew from hell to your project jobsite! There is just no better way to describe it. And, there are usually enough surprises and embarrassment to go all the way around.
Fortunately, such situations are rare, but it is an important management issue. It touches all related parties: Client, Design Team, Sub-Contractor, neighboring businesses or residents and miscellaneous other participants.
It has to be noted that the process of assembling crews and teams for every aspect of project preparation and installation is complex. Everything from skill levels to credentials must be taken into careful consideration. Teams with dissimilar skills and skill levels may find themselves working side by side.
When choosing subs, there is an implied trust that comes into play and relies on both experience and reputation. Right or wrong, assumptions are made that crews are carefully developed to match dependability with skill, including appropriate behavior. Crews, after all, are operating in and on the private property of the client.
Those in the position of hiring and assembling sub-contracting crews and teams must ultimately make a leap of faith. Checking references, and trusting that the facts stated are the facts of an applicant’s work experience, goes as far as it can. At some point, it all remains to be seen on the job.
Case in point: A client communicates that they couldn’t be more pleased with the punctuality, courtesy and performance of crew “X” that has been working at the project site!
Other case in point: A furious client communicates that the sub’s crew is loud and crude, is disrespectful of property, is foul-mouthed and their smoking is delivering a suspicious fragrance!
Contrast is one good way to make the point. Fortunately, worst cases happen rarely. Poor management of a worst case presents potentially serious problems. What is the project? Is it a residential setting or commercial? Is there a family on site (possibly with young children)? Is it new construction with no staff or personnel present? Is the crew working around a limited business staff that is trying to “make do?”
Circumstances may alter cases, but no circumstance justifies inappropriate conduct on the job. Crews are on the job on behalf of the client, design team and employer. Do not hesitate to bring questionable conduct to the attention of the appropriate person. Then, as soon as trouble is identified, it must be immediately remedied.
It is the responsibility of your Design Team to make sure that each aspect of your project is handled with skill and integrity. Managing disruptions is high on that list!
Robert Boccabella, B.F.A. is principal and founder of Business Design Services and a certified interior designer in private practice for over 30 years. Boccabella provides Designing to Fit the Vision© in collaboration with writingservice@earthlink.net. To contact him call 707-263-7073; email him at rb@BusinessDesignServices.com or visit www.BusinessDesignServices.com or on Face Book and Instagram at Business Design Services.
