Bringing Clarity to Light
Step 4: Project Management – Where Details Become Deliverables
At Ardd + Winter, we believe that successful projects don’t just happen because of great design—they happen because of thoughtful coordination. That’s the promise behind Step 4 of our Proven Process: Project Management.
This phase brings together our Quotes and Customer Service teams in a collaborative, behind-the-scenes effort. While each team plays a different role, we work in lockstep—aligning every detail to ensure the lighting package our clients approved turns into exactly what arrives on site. It’s about keeping projects moving, keeping people informed, and giving everyone involved peace of mind that Ardd + Winter is paying attention—so they don’t have to.
You may never see the dozens of emails, drawing reviews, or vendor calls happening in the background—but at Ardd + Winter, they’re happening. And every one of them is designed to support you.
Details Become Deliverables
Once a project moves beyond design and budgeting, our Quotes team steps in to make the lighting package real. This is where Ardd + Winter turns the design intent into an actionable bill of material—cross-referencing fixtures, reviewing submittals, confirming pricing, and making sure everything aligns with what’s been approved.
This part of the process requires sharp focus and a deep understanding of how each component affects the project as a whole. It’s not just about entering numbers—it’s about accuracy, clarity, and anticipating what might need a second look. When something doesn’t match or a spec seems off, we dig deeper. And when changes come up—as they often do—we’re already thinking about how to adjust without missing a beat.
“We’re not just reviewing specs—we’re aligning pricing, confirming availability, and making sure everything lines up before the first order goes out,” says Will Simmons from Ardd + Winter’s Quotes team. “We’re here to keep things moving.”
At the same time, our Customer Service team is reviewing the same materials through a different lens—anticipating anything that could impact ordering, shipping, or installation. At Ardd + Winter, we stay connected in every way possible, from project management software to informal desk chats. Everyone stays aligned on where things stand and what’s needed next.
From Quote to Fulfillment: A Seamless Flow of Support
When it’s time to move into order placement, the coordination doesn’t stop. Our Customer Service team enters each order with care, tracks every product line, and works closely with manufacturers to confirm delivery timelines and shipping details. As materials begin moving through production and shipping, we monitor each step to make sure the right fixtures are headed to the right place at the right time.
Throughout the process, we keep our clients updated in whatever way works best for them. Some prefer weekly shipping reports. Others want status updates at key points. Some rely on Ardd + Winter’s customer portal for real-time access. However our clients like to work, we meet them there.
And when something changes—as it often does in construction—we stay ahead of it. If a lead time begins to slip, we’re already in touch with the manufacturer. If a component becomes unavailable, we’re collaborating with our Quotes team to find the right alternative. If the install schedule shifts, we adjust deliveries to match. At Ardd + Winter, it’s never just about reacting—it’s about staying close to the project, understanding our clients’ needs, and making thoughtful, proactive decisions that keep everything on track.
Collaboration Is Our Quality Control
One of the most important ways we protect a project is through the collaboration that happens across our team. The overlap between Quotes and Customer Service is one of Ardd + Winter’s most valuable quality checkpoints.
“There’s a lot of trust between our teams,” says Heidi Neumann, Project Manager. “It’s not about staying in your lane—it’s about making sure we deliver the best experience for the client.”
Our involvement starts well before orders are placed. We review returned submittals line by line and compare them with the approved bill of material. If anything’s off, we catch it early. And because our team works under one roof, we can talk through challenges as they come up—quickly, informally, and effectively. That kind of communication keeps our work aligned and surprises to a minimum.
Smart Solutions That Save Time and Budget
At Ardd + Winter, we don’t just process what’s in front of us—we look ahead. Project management sometimes means rethinking a plan midstream, and when that happens, we see it as a chance to add even more value.
In one recent project, our team reviewed drawings and uncovered the need for emergency circuits and daylighting controls that hadn’t been accounted for. By working directly with the contractor and our On-Site Solutions team, we helped the client avoid delays—and saved the project roughly $120,000.
In another case, we engineered a quick, custom solution to adapt a circular fixture so it could wrap around a column—without compromising the design intent or performance.
These aren’t outliers. They’re reflections of how Ardd + Winter works every day—thoughtfully, collaboratively, and with a commitment to delivering smart, technically sound solutions that protect our clients’ time and budget.
The Value of a Thoughtful Process
Our approach to Project Management is rooted in care. At Ardd + Winter, we care about our clients’ schedules. We care about the accuracy of every order. We care about what arrives on site and how it affects the people waiting to install it.
That care shows up in how we collaborate, how we communicate, and how we anticipate issues before they happen. It shows up in the confidence our clients feel when they know we’re tracking the details—even when those details get complicated.
We understand just how critical lighting is to the success of a space—and how disruptive it can be when something is late, incorrect, or unclear. That’s why we’ve built a process that brings consistency, clarity, and trust to every project we support.
Getting Ready for Installation—and Beyond
As materials ship, our team checks and double-checks the details. We verify packing lists, track deliveries, and provide install instructions or as-built drawings to contractors when needed. And even after fixtures are installed, Ardd + Winter remains available for any follow-up needs.
Whether it’s answering a question about a part, helping with a warranty, or tracking down what was installed on a job years ago, we’re still here—and still supporting the work we helped put in place.
“Sometimes we’re helping years later—someone needs a warranty part, or they’re trying to identify what was installed,” says Kassidy Oswald. “We’re still here.”
Up Next: On-Site Solutions
In the final part of our Proven Process series, we’ll take you to the field—where Ardd + Winter’s On-Site Solutions team provides hands-on support during installation. From solving challenges in real time to ensuring performance matches intent, our work doesn’t stop at the shipment. It continues until the lights are on—and working exactly as planned.
