Commercial Integrator June 2022 - Special Section 14

C llab rati n
TODAY and TOMORROW
vice versa). Together, we will
succeed or fail, and the client
will not be happy or satisfied
if one of us fails.
Creating a collaborative
environment with the team
allows us to resolve issues
and make decisions more
quickly. Adding in today's collaboration
technology, we can
identify potential problems in
advance, and, thus, we have a
greater chance to deliver on
time and on budget to have a
satisfied client.
I keep using the word
" collaborate. " To me, collaboration
means key project
team members being able to
gather around a topic or issue
and share their ideas and
perspectives, with everyone
having an equal voice. Over
the years, I have learned the
best answer or path forward
is usually a combination of
ideas from experienced people
who see things through
different lenses. For example,
the builder and integrator
typically have useful opinions
about constructing and wiring
specialty furniture that will
receive technology because
they spend a lot of time performing
these tasks.
Before the pandemic, the
norm had been in-person
meetings with two-dimensional
drawings plotted on
large sheets. Of course, that's
not to say people didn't use
videoconferencing, three-dimensional
drawings and BIM,
and other collaboration tools
before the pandemic. However,
the pandemic accelerated
the evolution of how we
work and collaborate across
distributed teams.
At this point, all our
projects are done in Revit,
commercialintegrator.com
and we include renderings in
our documentation package.
Looking at spaces and objects
in three dimensions over
videoconferencing, along with
other vital members of the
project team, has enabled us
to reduce conflicts, identify
and solve challenges before
they become problems, and
reach agreement on design
concepts during coordination
meetings.
Reaching Consensus
During a recent coordination
call with a project team, we
needed to develop a plan
to locate and install an LCD
touchscreen control panel
and Bluetooth interface in
an outdoor area. Using a
combination of information
available on the web,
SketchUp and a conversation
over a video call in real time,
the team could visualize the
equipment and how it would
be installed in each of the
potential locations. People
could quickly understand
the ergonomics and see the
impact on the landscape architecture.
Most importantly,
we had a consensus about the
final location and installation
method by the end of the call.
This might have taken many
conversations over several
days if we had done it the
old-fashioned way.
Let me give you an even
more detailed example of
AV-integration collaboration.
I recently worked on a complex,
high-profile project for a
technology-savvy client looking
for a cutting-edge solution
that required us to collectively
solve new challenges,
break barriers and deliver on
a tight timeline. There was
no room for slippage, despite
a pandemic and global supply-chain
snarls.
The client told me that they
wanted to handle the project
in a very collaborative way.
They chose their integrator
and my firm to design and
consult on the project on day
one. Time was not on our side.
We had fewer than 90 days to
develop the program and get
through CDs. The approach
to the project was far from
typical. We worked hand in
hand with the client and integrator.
We collaborated with
collaboration tools with a regular
cadence. We discussed
all the details. We challenged
each other. We supported
each other. Everyone had an
equal voice.
The AV architectural drawings
included renderings of
the complex details like table
microphones and monitors
with integrated video cameras.
Everyone on the team could
visualize what the room and
its architectural and AV elements
would look like before
they were built. They could
visualize sightlines to displays
and the camera views from
the far end of a video call.
Hit the Ground Running
Because the integrator was involved
in the design process,
there were no RFIs. And, when
installation began, they were
able to hit the ground running.
When the project was at risk
due to supply-chain issues,
we all worked hand in hand to
find and agree upon shortterm
solutions.
With a month to go, the
client needed to regularly report
installation progress and
status to their leadership. They
set up daily calls with us and
the integrator to discuss possible
friction points, identify
potential risks and collectively
work to resolve challenges.
This project was one of the
most complex systems I have
ever been involved with. Four
weeks before our go-live date,
I remember thinking we might
not have all the needed equipment
- let alone have all of
it installed and operational. I
remember being nervous the
night before I flew to the project
site to check out the system.
But when my associate
and I arrived onsite, we were
blown away. The integrator hit
a grand slam!
Based on the tight timeframe,
the high level of finish,
the global supply-chain snarls
and the unique capabilities,
I don't think we could have
delivered had we approached
this project the traditional
way. To me, collaborating our
way through complex projects
with a team of dedicated and
trusted professionals, as well
as the right collaboration
technology and tools, means
the following:
○ We break silos.
○ We challenge each other.
○ We support each other.
○ We deal with adversity
together.
○ We deliver success
together.
Collaboration can't just
be what we design, sell and
install. Instead, collaboration
must be how we, as project
professionals, choose to work
together to meet clients' increasingly
complex needs.
Michael Goldman is principal
with Communications Design
Associates, Inc.
JUNE 2022 Commercial Integrator
http://www.commercialintegrator.com
Commercial Integrator June 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Integrator June 2022
