Control panel projects are complex, requiring precise coordination between engineers, designers, and project managers. But what if I told you that many of the most common project delays, design errors, and budget overruns aren’t caused by technical issues—but by incomplete or unclear project intake?
What Is a Project Intake Process?
Before diving into how a great intake process improves control panel projects, let’s define what project intake actually is.
A project intake process is the structured method of collecting and documenting key information before a project begins. It ensures that all stakeholders—engineers, designers, project managers, and customers—are aligned on requirements, expectations, and constraints from the start.
For control panel design, project intake typically involves:
- Defining project scope – Is this a new panel design or a modification? What are the functional requirements?
- Documenting environmental and compliance needs – Will the panel be indoors or outdoors? Does it need to meet UL 508A or NFPA 70 standards?
- Capturing power and integration details – What’s the available power supply? Will it interface with existing systems?
- Establishing key milestones and deadlines – When does the panel need to be designed, built, and installed?
- Identifying preferred components and materials – Are there specific manufacturer preferences or customer-supplied parts?
Without a structured intake process, teams often run into scope creep, rework, and miscommunications—all of which lead to costly delays. The goal of a strong intake form is simple: get all necessary details upfront to ensure a smooth and efficient design process.
Why Does Project Intake Matter?
A poorly defined intake process can lead to:
- Scope creep due to missing project details
- Costly redesigns when environmental conditions or compliance requirements are discovered late
- Delays in fabrication and installation because of unclear power specifications or integration needs
- Frustrated teams who waste time tracking down critical information instead of focusing on design and execution
On the other hand, a structured and well-thought-out intake form ensures that every project starts with a clear roadmap. It helps capture all the necessary details before design work begins, reducing errors, saving time, and ensuring a smoother process from concept to completion.
What to Expect in This Series
Over the next several posts, we’ll be diving into the key aspects of control panel project intake, including:
- The most common pitfalls of a weak intake process
- The must-have sections every control panel intake form should include
- How a well-structured intake process saves time, money, and frustration
- Lessons learned from real-world projects and best practices for refining intake forms over time
By the end of this series, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to improve your control panel project intake process—helping you streamline design, eliminate costly mistakes, and enhance project success.
Stay tuned for the next post, where I’ll break down the biggest mistakes companies make when starting a control panel project—and how to avoid them.