Why Interior Design Project Management Matters
Interior Designers are not Project Managers. Yes, they both go into the martini shaker, get shaken up together during the project, but each has its own role to play before others get to enjoy the party they make while working together. Let’s focus on those interior design project managers for a hot minute. Project Managers allows designers to leverage their time and grow their design business. Learn more about the role of a project manager in design, how their expertise can drastically improve your biz and why having the design team and project manager working closely together will pay for itself in the end.
But First, Project Management.
Yes, project management can be a bit of a vague term, but don't let that fool you, this field is not for the faint of heart. Project management involves directing and organizing each part of the project life cycle, from design to completion. A project manager is responsible for ensuring that every element of the project, is planned for, budgeted, and communicated to all stakeholders. It’s a holistic practice with the goal of delivering projects on time and on budget. Project management is a complex discipline that requires addressing many important concerns, including cost control, scheduling, procurement, and risk assessment.
Why Should Interior Designers Care About Project Management?
A good designs means nothing if it's not well executed. Yes, your design is beautiful, and the renderings have everyone excited, but if deadlines and milestones are missed, or if the budget starts to creep up, small details are overlooked, that project derails QUICKLY. You need someone who is dedicated to all the details, is ten steps ahead and mitigating before an actual issue arises. You need someone with a defined project checklist, systems, and processes to ensure your project is successful (read happy clients) Along with their project planning knowledge, your project manager will bring with them cost plannings skills, value engineering to the table, communication plans and most importantly will fight for the integrity of your design, pushing the team to not do what is easiest for them.
How Can A Designer Tell If Having A Project Manager Is Worth It?
When you the designer find yourself with happy clients, communication is flowing – when it all seems to be too easy, that is how you know having a dedicated project manager is working. Unfortunately for me, project managers usually get tossed into the trenches when things don’t go perfect. But don’t be mistaken; when things do go well it’s not because of good luck, it’s a lot of emails, calls, meetings, scheduling, site visits, and even more happening behind the scenes to make your project feel effortless for you.
