Using a waterfall approach–i.e., a linear approach to project management–has
too many steps and can result in a game of “telephone.” People hear what they
want to hear which can cause miscommunication and misalignment.
For example, let’s say the architect goes to the contractor with a floorplan and
the contractor says they’ve designed something physically impossible to build or
a potential safety hazard. The architect makes tweaks, gets approval from the
contractor, and then goes to the CFO who informs them it’s over budget. From
there, the architect makes another round of tweaks, gets approval from the CFO
just to find out that the Sustainability Officer has issues with the cheaper
materials because they’re not eco-friendly.
A software that can bring all stakeholders together–early on and throughout the
process–and visually engage them so everyone can give feedback in real-time,
is the only way to avoid endless approval spin cycles.
From pre-design to design approval, agile workplace software should provide
accessibility and visibility to all project members and stakeholders in such a way
that when it gets to construction, there are no gaps, misalignments, or
discrepancies.