Jody Shilan

The ultimate goal of any landscape design is to see the "plan" ultimately installed. The role of the designer is to create a vision of the client's goals and desires and develop these "dreams" into a thoughtfully created landscape plan. The role of production is to take that plan and build it.

It seems like the perfect symbiotic relationship, one department dependant on the other. Unfortunately though, when it comes to design and production "yin and yang", too often become "slam and bang".

So how can these two departments work together to design and build a landscape that not only exceeds the client's expectations but exceeds their own as well? Ironically, this sounds a little bit like the introduction to the television show "The Odd Couple". Can two grown men share an apartment without driving each other crazy? Over the years, Jack Klugman and Tony Randall showed us that people who are very different can coexist, often times to the betterment of both. So I ask you, if Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison can do it, why can't design and production?

Believe it or not, they can coexist on the same property at the same time and live in harmony with one another. The simple reason for this is that both design and production have the same goals.

1. Keep the client satisfied throughout the design/build process
2. Provide a superior product and service
3. Complete the project within the MH's estimated and material costs budgeted
4. Create future sales opportunities through project phasing and client referrals

I know this is true because during the last 30 years I've worked in each department, for both large and small companies, on both sides of the landscape plan. Over the years I have developed a mutual respect and appreciation for each discipline and have developed insight as to why these relationships succeed or fail.

Contrary to what many designers and production personnel believe, this is a joint venture, where both departments not only have an obligation to the client to provide the best design and installation possible, but also have an obligation to each other. Whether you like it or not, you're part of a team. And as we all know, there is no "I" in team. Each employee brings experience and value to the project, resources and knowledge, and suggestions and ideas. Managed correctly, "design and build" can work together to create a beautiful landscape that is truly unique and exceeds the expectations of everyone involved while being completed on time and profitably.

Even though people that become designers and people that go into production have very different personalities, styles and experience -- given the right set of guidelines, systems and responsibilities these two "personality types" can work very well together and ultimately improve the knowledge and skills of the other. So why do installations frequently end in disappointment and frustration for the client, the designer and production? As you will see, most of your production problems can be traced back to two basic, yet very complex topics -- communication and expectations.

What are some simple things that you can do to minimize problems and maximize profits?

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