Outsiders don’t really understand just how weird the planning process is.
Imagine you’re a master carpenter. You’ve been building furniture and casework for many years. You have a style that you’ve developed, and a loyal customer base that loves your products…
When building for commercial applications, there are code requirements around fire safety, VOCs, and other health/safety issues.
When building for commercial applications, there are code requirements around fire safety, VOCs, and other health/safety issues.
These are clearly written and you’ve always been able to document and adhere to them on your own without much trouble.
One day it’s announced that the government has a new process for ensuring the quality and safety of your work. From now on, a panel representing several city departments will review your designs before they can be sold. Sounds reasonable, right?
You attend your first review meeting.
One day it’s announced that the government has a new process for ensuring the quality and safety of your work. From now on, a panel representing several city departments will review your designs before they can be sold. Sounds reasonable, right?
You attend your first review meeting.
None of the reviewers have ever worked in carpentry, or any related field. A couple have taken one or two woodworking classes in school or university.
They range between 25-35 years old, but most are in their 20’s.
The first hour is spent asking you how you plan to meet the safety regulations that you’ve already been meeting for many years.
The first hour is spent asking you how you plan to meet the safety regulations that you’ve already been meeting for many years.
They ask you to submit documentation formally for further review. They will circulate your docs for comment by each dept and ask for revisions.
The panel makes it clear that your actual work methods and products won’t need to change at all.
The panel makes it clear that your actual work methods and products won’t need to change at all.
But you should expect a few rounds of comments to properly document these safety measures, and this process will take several months prior to final approval.
Next up, design review.
Next up, design review.
A 26 year old with an industrial design degree, but no experience in manufacturing, kicks things off.
He congratulates you on your very nice work, but then says that he has some concerns that he’d like you to consider.
First off, some of your materials are sourced from British Columbia, and he would really like to see more local materials used. He recognizes that this might increase costs. But please consider local materials.
First off, some of your materials are sourced from British Columbia, and he would really like to see more local materials used. He recognizes that this might increase costs. But please consider local materials.
You are confused, and ask if this is a requirement or a suggestion.
He says it’s not a requirement, but strongly encouraged. He will review your formal response, and will provide further guidance at that time. You have no idea whether this is something you actually need to do.
He says it’s not a requirement, but strongly encouraged. He will review your formal response, and will provide further guidance at that time. You have no idea whether this is something you actually need to do.
This will become a common theme for the meeting.
Next, he is concerned about climate change and thinks that you should consider using more sustainable wood, perhaps bamboo.
Next, he is concerned about climate change and thinks that you should consider using more sustainable wood, perhaps bamboo.
You explain that bamboo isn’t appropriate for all projects, but you’re happy to use it when it makes sense.
The reviewer seems annoyed…
“Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time and I think you should take it seriously.”
“Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time and I think you should take it seriously.”
You don’t know what to say to this, so you say nothing.
Next up, he notices that all of your designs for chairs have four legs. He asks why.
Next up, he notices that all of your designs for chairs have four legs. He asks why.
Image: uncredited
