A CASE STUDY:

Rammed Earth Pedestals

Scaling Complex Cross-Functional Operations

Managing Multi-Team Production Workflows Under Tight Constraints

THE CHALLENGE

Situation: Lead the operational design and execution of a first-of-its-kind installation requiring specialized materials, custom processes, and coordination of multiple teams across different locations.


Constraints:

  • No existing playbook or process documentation

  • Specialized requirements: 5 tons of custom soil blend with specific technical specifications

  • Multi-floor operation with 10-person team including 3 external specialists

  • Facility limitations: loading dock couldn't accommodate standard delivery methods

  • Hard deadline with no flexibility for delays

Operational Complexity:

  • 20+ vendor evaluations needed

  • Custom workflow design from scratch

  • Safety protocols for unfamiliar processes

  • Quality control across multiple handoff points

  • Resource allocation and space management

Research & Requirements Management

Vendor Evaluation Process:

  • Conducted comprehensive vendor analysis across California

  • Developed evaluation criteria balancing technical requirements, delivery capabilities, and cost

  • Managed stakeholder expectations when only 1 of 20+ vendors could meet specifications

  • Created contingency plans when standard delivery methods proved incompatible with facility constraints

Risk Assessment & Planning:

  • Identified critical path dependencies

  • Mapped facility constraints and developed workaround solutions

  • Established quality checkpoints throughout the process

  • Created resource allocation plans for specialized equipment and personnel

Process Design & Workflow Optimization

Custom Workflow Development:

  • Designed end-to-end production workflow converting existing space into temporary specialized facility

  • Created efficient material flow from loading dock to second-floor installation site

  • Developed equipment integration plan (concrete mixer, forklift, custom ramp system)

  • Established quality control checkpoints at each stage

Operational Systems:

  • Designed material handling process to minimize manual lifting and transportation inefficiencies

  • Created staging and storage protocols for 8 tons of specialized materials

  • Developed timeline coordination system for continuous production flow

  • Established safety protocols for unfamiliar processes and equipment

Cross-Functional Team Coordination

Team Structure & Communication:

  • Managed 10-person team across 2 floors with different skill sets

  • Coordinated 3 external specialists with internal team members

  • Established clear communication channels and handoff procedures

  • Created real-time coordination system from central control point

Workflow Management:

  • Positioned operational control at the critical bottleneck (mixing station)

  • Developed delivery timing protocols to maintain consistent production flow

  • Created feedback loops between production stages

  • Established quality control measures at each handoff point

Stakeholder Management:

  • Balanced technical requirements with facility constraints

  • Managed expectations across multiple internal and external stakeholders

  • Provided regular status updates and proactive communication about challenges

Results & Impact

70%

Operational Efficiency:

  • Transformed standard facility into specialized production environment

  • Optimized material flow reducing manual handling by 70%

  • Created cost-effective alternative to standard delivery/installation methods

Delivery Success:

  • Ahead of schedule delivery despite first-time process complexity

  • Zero safety incidents throughout 3-week intensive operation

  • 100% quality compliance with technical specifications and aesthetic requirements

Process Innovation:

  • Created reusable operational framework for similar complex installations

  • Developed scalable workflow documentation for future projects

  • Established vendor evaluation criteria for specialized requirements

Team Performance:

  • Maintained high team performance throughout physically demanding 3-week operation

  • Successful integration of external specialists with internal team

  • Effective resource utilization with no material waste or timeline delays

Key Skills Demonstrated

Process Design: Created complex operational workflows from scratch Cross-Functional Leadership: Managed diverse teams across multiple locations Resource Management: Optimized allocation of specialized equipment and materials Risk Management: Identified and mitigated operational risks proactively Stakeholder Communication: Maintained alignment across multiple internal/external parties Quality Assurance: Implemented systematic quality

 Leading Long-Term Cross-Functional Operations

Managing Complex Technical Projects Through Organizational Change

The Challenge

Situation: Lead a 2.5-year complex technical project involving specialized systems, custom manufacturing, and cross-functional teams while navigating unprecedented organizational disruption.

Operational Complexity:

  • Long-term project spanning multiple organizational changes

  • Custom technical systems requiring specialized expertise

  • Multiple vendor relationships and supply chain dependencies

  • Safety protocol evolution during project lifecycle

  • Budget optimization under changing constraints

  • Team coordination across technical and creative disciplines

External Constraints:

  • COVID-19 pandemic disrupting supply chains and workflows

  • Evolving safety requirements mid-project

  • Vendor capacity limitations and delivery delays

  • Material specification changes requiring process redesign

Strategic Planning & Research

Industry Research & Best Practices:

  • Conducted stakeholder interviews with industry leaders (Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago design team)

  • Analyzed production methodologies and material selection criteria

  • Developed framework for balancing creative requirements with technical constraints

  • Created knowledge base for future similar projects

Requirements Analysis:

  • Translated creative vision into technical specifications

  • Identified critical path dependencies and potential bottlenecks

  • Established quality standards for specialized systems

  • Created contingency planning for high-risk components

Process Design & Risk Management

Safety Protocol Innovation:

  • Challenge: Original adhesive specification posed significant health risks for in-house production

  • Solution: Researched and implemented non-toxic alternative while maintaining performance standards

  • Process redesign: Shifted from external contractor to in-house production

  • Impact: Reduced costs by 40% while ensuring team safety and compliance

Supply Chain Optimization:

  • Developed vendor relationship management framework

  • Created flexible procurement processes adaptable to changing conditions

  • Established communication protocols for real-time supply chain monitoring

  • Built contingency supplier networks for critical components

Quality Assurance Framework:

  • Designed systematic testing protocols for custom electroluminescent lighting system

  • Created documentation standards for technical specifications

  • Established iteration cycles for continuous improvement

  • Developed handoff procedures between technical and installation teams

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management

Cross-Functional Team Coordination:

  • Led technical team through specialized system design and implementation

  • Managed stakeholder expectations across 2.5-year timeline

  • Created communication frameworks for complex technical decisions

  • Developed training protocols for specialized installation procedures

Agile Project Management:

  • Implemented flexible project management approach responsive to changing conditions

  • Created rapid decision-making processes for time-sensitive issues

  • Established regular retrospectives and process improvement cycles

  • Built organizational knowledge retention systems

Change Management:

  • Navigated organizational protocol changes during project lifecycle

  • Adapted workflows to accommodate new safety requirements

  • Maintained team morale and productivity during uncertain periods

  • Created scalable processes that survived organizational transitions

Technical Innovation & Problem Solving

Systems Design:

  • Developed comprehensive power blueprint for complex electroluminescent lighting system

  • Created installation best practices for specialized rubber-lined surfaces

  • Designed technical safety protocols for custom electrical systems

  • Established maintenance and troubleshooting documentation

Process Optimization:

  • Streamlined production processes reducing timeline by 30%

  • Created reusable workflows and templates for similar projects

  • Developed cost-effective alternatives to standard industry approaches

  • Built knowledge management systems for technical expertise retention

Results & Organizational Impact

Project Delivery:

  • Successful completion of 2.5-year project despite unprecedented disruptions

  • Budget optimization achieved through strategic process redesign

  • Zero safety incidents throughout complex technical production

  • Exceeded quality standards for specialized technical systems

Process Innovation:

  • Created reusable operational frameworks still used by organization today

  • Developed vendor relationship management system improving future project efficiency

  • Established safety protocols that became organizational standard

  • Built knowledge documentation reducing future project risk

Team Development:

  • Enhanced team capabilities in specialized technical areas

  • Improved cross-functional collaboration between creative and technical teams

  • Developed agile project management competencies across organization

  • Created succession planning for complex technical projects

Organizational Resilience:

  • Demonstrated ability to maintain project continuity through major disruptions

  • Flexible management approach enabled adaptation to changing requirements

  • Stakeholder confidence maintained throughout extended timeline

  • Process improvements increased organizational capacity for future complex projects

Key Skills Demonstrated

Long-term Project Management: Successfully managed complex 2.5-year initiative Risk Management: Proactively identified and mitigated safety and operational risks Process Innovation: Redesigned workflows for improved efficiency and safety Supply Chain Management: Navigated complex vendor relationships during disruption Technical Leadership: Led teams through specialized system design and implementation Change Management: Adapted processes and maintained productivity during organizational change Stakeholder Communication: Managed expectations across extended timeline and changing requirements Quality Assurance: Established systematic approaches to technical quality control

 Strategic Vendor Management & Technical Integration

Leading Complex Multi-Phase Projects Through Strategic Pivots

The Challenge

Situation: Lead a complex 5-month fabrication and technical integration project requiring coordination between multiple external vendors, internal teams, and cross-institutional stakeholders while maintaining artistic vision and technical specifications.

Project Scope:

  • 23' x 9' large-scale physical installation

  • Multi-phase project: external fabrication + internal technical integration

  • Complex stakeholder management across institutions

  • Budget optimization requirements mid-project

  • Technical specifications requiring specialized fabrication expertise

Key Constraints:

  • Original fabrication approach proving cost-prohibitive

  • Technical specifications requiring precision manufacturing

  • Timeline pressures with multiple dependencies

  • Cross-institutional approval processes

  • Integration of physical and digital components

Make it stand out

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Strategic Planning & Vendor Management

Vendor Evaluation & Selection:

  • Conducted comprehensive vendor analysis for specialized CNC fabrication capabilities

  • Evaluated technical capabilities against artistic requirements

  • Managed vendor relationships through daily communication protocols

  • Created vendor performance monitoring and quality assurance frameworks

Requirements Analysis:

  • Translated artistic vision into technical specifications

  • Identified critical path dependencies between fabrication and integration phases

  • Established quality standards for large-scale precision manufacturing

  • Created detailed project timeline with milestone tracking

Process Optimization & Strategic Pivots

Mid-Project Strategic Redesign:

  • Challenge: Original laser cutting approach proved cost-prohibitive and technically limiting

  • Analysis: Evaluated alternative manufacturing methods and material options

  • Solution: Pivoted to CNC fabrication with strategic material substitution

  • Process: Managed stakeholder communication and approval for significant approach change

Cost Optimization:

  • Shifted from expensive architectural panels to painted MDF substrate

  • Negotiated with new fabrication vendor for optimized pricing

  • Result: Achieved 50% cost reduction while maintaining artistic integrity

  • Created reusable cost-benefit analysis framework for future projects

Quality Assurance:

  • Established design iteration protocols for continuous refinement

  • Created file modification and version control systems

  • Implemented real-time problem-solving processes

  • Maintained quality standards through manufacturing approach changes

Cross-Functional Team Leadership

Stakeholder Management:

  • Managed daily communication with multiple external fabricators

  • Coordinated cross-institutional stakeholder approvals

  • Balanced artistic vision with technical and budget constraints

  • Created transparent communication channels for complex decision-making

Multi-Phase Project Coordination:

  • Phase 1: External fabrication management and quality control

  • Phase 2: Internal technical integration and multimedia implementation

  • Seamless handoff protocols between external and internal teams

  • Resource allocation optimization across project phases

Technical Integration Leadership:

  • Led internal team through complex construction and technical implementation

  • Coordinated integration of CNC-fabricated elements with projection systems

  • Managed precise technical specifications for multimedia components

  • Created documentation for complex technical assembly processes

Technical Innovation & Problem Solving

Manufacturing Process Innovation:

  • Developed hybrid approach combining external specialized fabrication with internal technical integration

  • Created workflow optimization for large-scale physical-digital integration

  • Established quality control protocols for precision manufacturing

  • Built knowledge management systems for complex technical processes

Technical Integration:

  • Designed integration system for 3 vertical projectors with physical installation

  • Created precise coordination protocols for construction and technical elements

  • Developed testing and calibration procedures for multimedia components

  • Established maintenance and troubleshooting documentation

Results & Organizational Impact

Project Delivery:

  • Successful completion of complex 5-month multi-phase project

  • 50% cost reduction through strategic process redesign

  • Maintained artistic integrity while achieving technical optimization

  • On-time delivery despite significant mid-project strategic changes

Process Innovation:

  • Created reusable vendor evaluation framework for complex fabrication projects

  • Developed cost-benefit analysis methodology for strategic decision-making

  • Established quality assurance protocols for large-scale manufacturing

  • Built stakeholder communication framework for complex multi-institutional projects

Team Development:

  • Enhanced cross-functional collaboration between creative and technical teams

  • Improved vendor relationship management capabilities

  • Developed agile project management competencies for complex pivots

  • Created knowledge documentation for technical integration processes

Organizational Capabilities:

  • Demonstrated strategic flexibility in response to project constraints

  • Improved cost optimization processes for future projects

  • Enhanced technical integration capabilities

  • Strengthened vendor management and relationship building

Key Skills Demonstrated

Strategic Decision-Making: Successfully pivoted manufacturing approach mid-project Vendor Management:Coordinated multiple external fabricators with daily communication Cost Optimization: Achieved 50% cost reduction through strategic redesign Cross-Functional Leadership: Managed both external fabrication and internal technical teamsTechnical Integration: Led complex physical-digital system integration Stakeholder Management: Balanced artistic vision with technical and budget constraints Quality Assurance: Maintained standards through significant process changes Project Coordination: Successfully managed complex multi-phase project timeline