Project management - Exhibition Stands
Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2009
by Matthew Theobald
Exhibition display solutions
Whatever industry sector you are involved in and whatever the project you have been given responsibility for, the steps involved in successful project management are common to all. The relative importance of each phase may change but when applied appropriately they will guide you through to the required conclusion
Typically a project will begin as a result of a report or feasibility study or an acceptance of a design brief. Defining the situation that the project is addressing is of the utmost importance before commencing the project.g. "We need to increase our profile within the industry" or "we need to find a more effective way to promote new products".
The typical phases of a project are:
Initiation
Specification
Design
Build
Installation/implementation
Operation and review
Initiation
This is the most important phase covering the setting of objectives, budgetting, getting the required approval and setting the terms of reference.
Specification
This area can be defined in character by the word WHAT? - What outcomes are required by your customer?; What equipment do they require?; What finishes are to be used?; What locations are involved?; What are the deadlines? etc.
The HOW is dealt with in the next stage?
Design
This is the stage where we start to ask HOW? Technical experts, designers, engineers, carpenters, AV consultants may need to be involved to help shape the design of the project. This phase may result in the production of a detailed specification, technical drawings, 3 dimensional visual, scale models or prototypes. It is imperative that agreement is reached with the client before moving on to the Build phase.
Build
This is where the bricks are laid, the code is written, the brochures are printed; Finally something tangible is created.
Installation/Implementation
The project has been designed and built and, hopefully, if the project has been sucessfully managed thus far, will be as specified. It is important, however, to get acceptance from your client. This may well include a period of transition - after all project management is about the management of change; you can design and supply a new software system but it will need to installed, users trained, and perhaps computers upgraded. With reference to my own industry, the design and build of exhibition stands, the implementation phase may be as simple as handing over the keys of the store to the client and showing them where the light switch is!
Operation and Review
Once your project has been in use for a period of time, you may be lucky enough to find it works perfectly and everyone is happy - in which case this section will be concluded quickly and easily. If, however, there are problems or deficiencies with the project, new requirements will need to be identified and the project cycle begins again.
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Matthew Theobald has been working in the exhibition and display industry for over 20 years. Having been involved in the design and build of exhibition stands throughout Europe and having specialised for a number of years in large-format digital print he has a wealth of experience in this arena.
http://www.exdisplay.co.uk
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