Following Procedure for getting things Done Without Mistakes and Omissions when Building a Landscape Lighting System

Following Procedure for getting things Done Without Mistakes and Omissions when Building a Landscape Lighting System

By Mike Gambino

fountain rawWe follow Procedures while building a landscape lighting system and take a systematic and structured approach that has been developed and refined over the 25 years this company has been building landscape lighting systems professionally.

We take a systematic approach to building  on every project we do which results in a consistent and predictable end result time after time.

We have adopted this procedural approach in every aspect of our business including  design, sales, building , troubleshooting, maintenance and repair,

When done right, procedures can have an important effect on an organization. When written clearly and properly, they can help systems and people function better. If our people know what to do, when to do it, how to do it, and how not to get it wrong, we can reduce frustration and save a tremendous amount of time and effort.

This is not to say that we have 100 percent eliminated mistakes. As long as the human factor is involve there will always be mistakes made however when they do occur we follow a procedural guideline in dealing with them and making them right.

A good procedure is accurate, brief, and actionable.

Procedures are the structure of a project, the sequence in which things are performed. While policies guide the way people make decisions, procedures show the “how to’s” for completing a task or process.

Procedures are action oriented. They outline steps to take, and the order in which they need to be taken. They’re often instructional, and they may be used in training and orientation. Well written procedures are typically solid, precise, succinct, short, and to the point.

Many procedures seem “black and white,” with clear steps and only one way of doing things: “Complete A, then B, then C.” But sometimes we are less exact and allow room for personal judgment. When a procedure is too tight, it can cause confusion. Since life isn’t always simple and clear-cut, some of our procedures allow subjectivity and individual choices.

Not everything needs a procedure, so we don’t create procedures for basic tasks  they would be ignored anyway.

The reason we use procedures is so we don’t forget to take certain actions, reduce the possibility of getting things wrong, or in regards to building lighting systems where tasks can be long and complex that people need a checklist for if they’re going to get things right.

A written procedure is important  if there will be a significant benefit from clarifying a process. We use a procedure when a process.

  • Is lengthy (example: landscape lighting build).
  • Is complex (example: load balancing system voltage).
  • Is routine, but it’s essential that everyone strictly follows rules (troubleshooting).
  • Demands consistency (predictable and controllable results).
  • Involves documentation (where the voltage test points are located in our system).
  • Involves significant change (Installing a landscape lighting system).
  • Has serious consequences if done wrong (safety guidelines).

It’s typical for many things to get done without written procedures. There are “unwritten rules” and informal procedures. But sometimes these unwritten rules need to be set in procedure. This may need to happen when.

  • Similar questions are asked repeatedly.
  • People seem confused.
  • There are too many ways that people interpret the procedure.

IMG_3953Procedures communicate what technicians NEED to know, not just what they WANT to know. They might need to know how to do the process correctly, faster, or with less waste.

They also might like to know why they have to do something a certain way, where they can go for help, and what happens if something goes wrong. Where necessary, our procedures deal with technical issues as well as subjective elements.

Facebook-iceThis landscape lighting blog is published by Mike Gambino of Gambino landscape lighting inc. all rights reserved. Mike is a professional landscape lighting system designer/ builder and has been designing, installing and maintaining landscape lighting systems for more than 20 years. Mike resides in the Los Angeles area with his wife and 2 sons. To visit his website go to www.gambinolighting.com . To inquire about hiring Mike please click here .

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