Podcast: executive sessions – crafting success in complex projects
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On MiddleGround’s thirteenth episode of Executive Sessions, Clayton Gullet leads discussions with MiddleGround Founding Partner, Scot Duncan, and Vice President of Operations, Zach Jackson. This episode covers:
- Building a Diverse and Resilient Team
- Practical Tips on How to Manage Diverse Teams
- Proactive Problem-Solving Case Study
Building a Diverse and Resilient Team
The key to successful projects often lies in the strength of the team behind them. Building a team composed of members with varied backgrounds, skills, and perspectives is crucial because cross-functional teams are better equipped to navigate challenges. Operators, production management, maintenance, engineers, and safety experts will view the same problem differently; by building a solution that considers each of their input, all critical aspects will be addressed and more informed decisions will be made.
Additionally, the team should be flexible and adaptable. Complexities are inherent in any large-scale project, and a strong team needs to be ready to adjust their plans on the fly. When Zach Jackson’s team faced unexpected equipment delays during a green field expansion project impacted by COVID-19 supply chain delays, they had to adapt their installation schedule depending on volatile material deliveries. What used to be an iron-clad schedule became a living document and all team members adapted to the changing environment to ensure the project was still completed on time.
Practical Tips on How to Manage Diverse Teams
When managing a cross-functional team, it’s essential to empower them to identify solutions together. Regular updates, transparent discussions, and a blame-free environment where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities contribute to a more collaborative culture.
It is key to understand that the collective experience and expertise of a cross-functional team varies wildly. Each person brings unique knowledge, and it’s essential that each team member feels supported and confident enough to voice their honest opinions and ask what may seem like “dumb” questions. You never know what simple question will challenge a basic belief in another team member, and end up creating a stronger solution.
Proactive Problem-Solving Case Study
Close collaboration between production, maintenance, and engineering teams was critical when we completed a green/brownfield expansion at a facility located in the Czech Republic. On top of the project being executed abroad during COVID-19, there was a significant issue when a conveyor system didn’t fit into a facility. Teams had to quickly diagnose the problems, identify the causes, and implement effective solutions to ensure the project moved forward. It required all three teams to come together, working nights and weekends, to keep production on schedule.
On top of that, the lessons learned from the Czech Republic project were not confined to that site alone. The insights gained were shared with other facilities, such as the Alabama site, where similar potential issues were proactively addressed before they could become actual problems. This cross-project knowledge sharing proved invaluable, serving as a lesson on how to navigate challenges in complex projects.