What are the best ways to overcome unexpected challenges during the design revision process?

1 Communicate clearly

One of the most important factors in overcoming unexpected challenges is to communicate clearly and frequently with your clients. Make sure you understand their goals, expectations, and feedback, and explain your design choices and limitations. Use various methods of communication, such as phone calls, emails, or video conferencing, to ensure that both parties are on the same page. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may confuse your clients, and ask for clarification if you are unsure about anything.

2 Plan ahead

Another way to overcome unexpected challenges is to plan ahead and anticipate possible scenarios that may require revisions. For example, you can create a contingency budget, a timeline with milestones and deadlines, and a list of alternative solutions or suppliers. You can also involve your clients in the planning process and get their approval on key aspects of the design before moving forward. This way, you can reduce the risk of surprises and delays, and have more flexibility and resources to deal with any changes.

3 Be flexible

Flexibility is a key skill for workplace designers, as it allows you to adapt to changing circumstances and client needs. Being flexible means that you are willing to listen to feedback, make compromises, and explore new ideas. It also means that you are open to learning from your mistakes and improving your design skills. However, being flexible does not mean that you have to accept every revision request or sacrifice your professional standards. You should also set clear boundaries and expectations with your clients, and explain the reasons and implications of any changes.

4 Collaborate effectively

Collaborating effectively with your clients and other stakeholders can help you overcome unexpected challenges and create a better workplace design. Collaboration involves sharing information, ideas, and opinions, as well as respecting different perspectives and expertise. You can use various tools and techniques to facilitate collaboration, such as mood boards, sketches, prototypes, or feedback forms. You can also seek input from other workplace designers, experts, or users who can offer valuable insights and suggestions.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?