How can you create a clear vision for your drone team?

Anyone involved in aviation should bear in mind that the typical project within this industry spans at least 10 years. Therefore, providing a clear and comprehensible signal to your team regarding your goals, strategy, and path is crucial. It plays a pivotal role in shaping a truly exceptional dream team. Above all, you must foster belief in the vision and possess the fortitude needed to achieve and actualize these objectives.

Define team objectives aligning with company goals, foster a culture of innovation, encourage skill development, and ensure transparent communication for cohesive teamwork.

Clear vision for your drone team begins with understanding why you're doing what you do. Start by identifying the specific problems you aim to solve or the opportunities you want to explore using drones. Consider how your drone work aligns with the broader goals of your organization or industry.

After understanding your purpose, the next step in crafting a clear vision for your drone team is to set precise and achievable goals. What exactly do you aim to achieve with your drones? Define clear, measurable objectives that you can attain within a specific timeframe.

The drone industry is a very dynamic and evolving field, but unfortunately it is highly restricted by current legislation and aviation regulations. Therefore, you should always be prepared for changes and lay down possible trends in advance so that when new regulations appear, your device will comply with them and you won't have to redo all the work all over again

Once you've set your goals, the next crucial step in shaping a clear vision for your drone team is to craft a strategy. This involves outlining how exactly you plan to accomplish your goals using drones. Consider what resources, expertise, and tools you'll need. Identify potential hurdles, like risks or challenges, and brainstorm ways to navigate through them.

Ensure you keep all your contractors, partners, clients, and investors informed as your technologies develop. This practice not only fosters communication but also helps build long-term contacts and relationships. Often, these individuals may identify new prospects that you might not be aware of. It's a valuable strategy for expanding your network and seizing unforeseen opportunities.

After you've shaped your vision and strategy for your drone team, the next crucial move is to effectively communicate that vision. This involves sharing your purpose, goals, and strategy not only with your team but also with managers, clients, partners, and other stakeholders.

In 2020, we had an incredible experience working on a two-year rescue drone project. Our main client, a state-owned company, showed interest in ordering around 100 units yearly. We were thrilled and paused marketing and fundraising efforts as they partially funded the project. Unfortunately, when COVID-19 hit, this client disappeared, leaving us with no alternatives. Trying to attract investment became challenging due to the market's dependency on a single client. My advice: Aim for at least two or three clients, even if one is a large corporation. Relying solely on them can be unreliable as unforeseen events may disrupt your business, despite being the perfect solution to their needs. Get ready to pivot!

Engage with stakeholders, such as clients, regulatory authorities, or other relevant parties, to ensure alignment with your team's vision. Understand their expectations and requirements to tailor your operations accordingly. In a drone team supporting environmental research, close engagement with researchers and government agencies was crucial for success. Develop clear metrics and KPIs to measure the performance and success of your drone team. Regularly review these metrics to assess your team's effectiveness in achieving its vision. Metrics may include mission success rates, data accuracy, or response times.

A pivotal consideration in shaping your vision for drone technology revolves around rigorous testing. The testing phase for unmanned aerial vehicles presents a unique challenge that necessitates the presence of a suitable testing ground, commonly referred to as a "test range." These dedicated areas serve as exclusive spaces where one can deploy and assess cutting-edge technology. Each test range boasts its own distinct characteristics and specialties. For example, if you seek to push the boundaries in a challenging environment, the Great Barrier Reef offers 3 exceptional test ranges known as ReefWorks. These areas provides allow you to evaluate your technology in a tropical, humid, highly corrosive, remote setting teeming with wildlife.