Cloud View
We have a few sayings in our business when referring to the review of design plans. We commonly refer to a certain perspective when looking at the plans as a plan view or “cloud” view. This is a broad view spanning the entirety of the overall building as if your viewpoint is looking down on the building from the clouds. I encountered a unique perspective the other day as I was truly above the clouds flying north to our neighboring country. While a brief portion of this trip was spent flying over the blue waters of Lake Michigan and shortly thereafter along the brim of Lake Ontario; the majority of our trip was spent seemingly coasting above the expansive and full-bodied white clouds of the sky.
This was a great visual for thought in describing how each of us as individuals can often approach planning. We will often find ourselves lost in the clouds with our thoughts and not “grounded” with focus. These thoughts can quickly envelop us in our monumental charge to accomplish our various goals. This leads to our allowing the desire for the immediate solution to overcome the necessity of a well-planned project. When we remain above the clouds we observe a sight for what seems to go on forever with what appears to be little tangible detail. Until we descend below the cover of the clouds with an open view of the ground below can we truly see the many details that exist.
Similarly, unless we allow ourselves to take the time to descend a bit from our own desire for immediate resolve and often impractical expectations are we able to see all the detail that is necessary in the thorough preparation and planning for a well thought out project solution.
