Project management – the special sauce for smooth network implementation

Services

We work with some mighty complex projects in smart buildings and enterprise networks. What makes the difference between success and failure is often the unsung heroes in the middle – our project management team. Kevin Green, Head of Projects at Ideal, says that as a company, Ideal has learnt a great deal about what good project management looks like from the construction industry and now applies that discipline for enterprise networks too.

Kevin explains: “When we got involved with the converged network for the first phase of Battersea Power Station, it was the biggest brick building in Europe and possibly the biggest building site in the country. Imagine the number of contractors and trades involved. Each working to their own deadlines, with limited access to site.

“…there’s a real danger that someone will come and plonk a massive aircon unit in front of the AP…”

“Everything is interconnected, like a giant eco-system. We need power to install the network. Certain fixings need to be finished before we can mount Access Points (AP’s). But if you do it too soon, there’s a real danger that someone will come and plonk a massive aircon unit in front of the AP; or reconfigure an internal wall, compromising Wi-Fi for ever more.”

So, what’s the secret to a smooth project?

Kevin says it all comes down to communication. “For each contractor that might have an impact on our work, we have to quickly understand what’s important to them. And help them to understand what matters to us. We have to be patient and a hundred percent clear in our communication.”

“Forward planning is critical, but being agile on site is equally important. At Battersea, I would regularly clock up 25,000 steps a day, trudging up and down nine immense floors to check details and liaise with other people. In the end, those are literally the hard miles you need to put in to make it all happen.”

Battersea was a complex working environment

Kevin says that since Phase 1 at Battersea, the company has been involved some of the most sophisticated building developments and network refurbishments in the UK, including Phase 2 and 3 at Battersea and cutting-edge smart buildings like 22 Bishopsgate and 150 Holborn.

Getting involved early in the process makes a difference

One of the latest projects, Co-op Live Arena which won the Cisco Smart Building/Venue Award 2024 for its CNS and Wi-Fi deployment, has just come into operation in the UK after a 3-year design and build. This required Ideal to bring together as many as 40 building services in a single converged network. Many contractors struggled to deliver on this complex project, but Ideal signed off on Practical Completion ahead of schedule.

Kevin says: “What made a difference there was that we were invited in relatively early in the design phase. That meant that we were closer to the architects and consultants and were able to make sure our network design wasn’t compromised. We then fully consulted with electrical and mechanical contractors and speciality contractors for sound, PA, lighting, aircon, security and access to make sure everything could connect, communicate and share data.”

“It’s about more than IT. We were there every step of the way – from when the stair cores were rising from the ground, moving the cherry-pickers into the bowl for the Wi-Fi, turning the internet on for the first time and welcoming the MTV European Music Awards to the arena.”

Being true to the vision of each project

With highly complex projects, Kevins says, it’s easy to get sucked in by solving problems on the ground, but the checking back with the bigger picture is vital.

“What’s really important is the vision for each project. For one of our global manufacturing clients, smooth automation in giant spaces is king. For 150 Holborn, creating an unparalleled work environment which also serves as a ‘Living Lab’ where they can learn from building data is key. For Co-op Live Arena, providing a safe, secure and iconic experience for up to 23,000 screaming fans live streaming a concert, whilst supporting 30 bars and restaurants across five floors is the focus. Keep that front and centre and everything else follows.”