Blog 3: The PM Experience

November 4, 2024

Tyler Wong (Project Manager): As week 2 of the production of The Fading of the Swans is coming to an end, I have to say that it has been both eye-opening and intense. Taking on the role of Project Manager for this project has brought a lot of new experiences, as well as a new appreciation for the complexities involved in bringing an immersive installation, or anything project to life for that matter. 

Stepping into the Role

Adjusting to the dynamics of managing a team of nine people has been one of my biggest learning curves in University so far. Coming from previous projects where the team size never exceeded 5 or 6, coordinating a larger group has required a new level of organization and adaptability. My main focus has been keeping communication clear and ensuring that everyone stays on the same page, which has been crucial given the intricacies and the amount of tasks in our project.

In our first week, we spent a lot of time establishing a workflow that could handle the needs of our design, technical, and narrative teams. This meant ensuring that I was checking in regularly and using shared digital platforms to stay aligned. Despite our best efforts to keep things running smoothly, the process wasn’t without its hiccups. There were moments when it felt like tasks were piling up faster than we could tackle them, and the pressure was rising with each deadline. Yet, we pressed on, knowing that getting through this initial adjustment period was critical.

Challenges and Discoveries

One major challenge has been managing the workload under tight deadlines. With so many creative and technical elements to consider, it often felt like there weren’t enough hours in the day. Additionally, coordinating between the three sub-teams took extra effort, as I had to make sure that every piece fit cohesively into our overall vision. Another challenge that the team and I have encountered was having a team member who hasn’t really been there to help out consistently. With this fluctuating variable, the team has had to adapt and pick up the slack collectively to ensure that with one missing person, all the deliverables get done on time and to a high degree of effectiveness. 

Despite these obstacles, there have been some rewarding moments. The style guide that our media team and Harry put together really captured the atmospheric essence we want to convey in The Fading of the Swans. Seeing our vision come together in these early concepts has been motivating, even if the workload has been heavy. It’s also been impressive to witness how the team has begun to support one another, collaborating more efficiently and building off each other’s strengths.

Where We Stand Now

As we wrap up our second week, I feel a mix of cautious optimism and the weight of what still lies ahead. We’ve had some initial successes, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. Everyone is still feeling the pressure of our tight schedule, but there’s a shared understanding that pushing forward is the only way to achieve our vision. Our focus for the coming weeks will be on refining our prototype and preparing to bring Harry’s captivating concept to life for the Lights on Stratford festival. The hope is that, as we find a better rhythm, we’ll be able to execute the project more smoothly. While the past two weeks have tested our limits, they’ve also shown the potential we have as a team. Here’s hoping we continue to learn, adapt, and bring The Fading of the Swans to fruition with the impact we’ve envisioned.

Stay tuned as we push ahead and keep sharing our journey!