AO Victoria Project Update 3

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Post on Jan 22, 2025

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AO Victoria Project Update 3: Progress, Pitfalls, and a Whole Lotta Hope

Hey everyone! So, we're three updates in on the AO Victoria project, and things are… interesting. Let's just say it's been a wild ride, full of unexpected twists and turns, much like my attempts at sourdough baking (don't ask). This isn't some slick corporate update; this is the raw, unfiltered truth, warts and all.

The Good Stuff: Actual Progress!

First, the positives! We finally got the site prep done. I mean, seriously, that took forever. Remember those drainage issues we were wrestling with in Update 2? Yeah, those were a total nightmare. We had to bring in extra equipment, and the cost overruns were, let's just say, not ideal. But they're dealt with, and that's a huge weight off my shoulders.

The foundation is also poured! We used a high-strength, low-carbon concrete mix — something I was super insistent on for sustainability reasons (it's the little things, right?). Seeing that foundation go in was a seriously good feeling. Like, “wow, this thing is actually happening!” moment. I’ll never forget that feeling. It gave me a real sense of accomplishment, and helped motivate me through later setbacks.

Framing is underway – Almost!

Framing is currently in progress, and that's massive. The team is working hard to keep to schedule, which is super important, especially after the drainage delays. We're using engineered lumber for the framing, for strength and efficiency, and trying to ensure everything is as sustainable as possible. I keep stressing sustainability with the team. We've even been implementing some pretty cool passive design elements to minimize energy use down the line.

The Not-So-Good Stuff: Uh Oh...

Okay, now for the less fun part. We had a slight… hiccup with the delivery of some crucial materials. Turns out, there's a nationwide shortage of something called weatherproof sheeting — who knew? I sure didn’t. It pushed back the schedule slightly, costing us an extra week. This impacted our budget, and I'm spending WAY too much time on spreadsheet analysis these days, which, let’s just say isn't my idea of a fun Friday night. It's been stressful.

Lessons Learned and Future Planning

This project has taught me a LOT about project management. Things will go wrong. That's inevitable. The key, I think, is having contingency plans in place. We're working on improving our risk assessment processes to anticipate future issues. That means we're going to be double-checking lead times on ALL future materials, and building in extra buffer time to our schedules.

I also learned the importance of clear communication. Keeping everyone informed, from the contractors to the clients (and me!), is crucial to keeping things moving smoothly. I'm working on better communication methods to make sure things don't fall through the cracks again. It helps to have weekly meetings, which is something that we could have implemented earlier.

The Bottom Line

Despite the setbacks, the AO Victoria project is making solid progress. It's been a stressful few weeks, but we’re working really hard to get back on track and keep that positive momentum going. This update is just a part of a larger series of articles that document the process. I’m working to share as much detail as possible to help others facing similar challenges. I'll keep you all posted on our progress! Wish us luck! We’re gonna need it!