Leading Long-Term Cross-Functional Operations

Immersive Light Grid

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