The Importance of Going Through an Onboarding Process for Projects

At Innovate Make and Have Our Ltd (IMHO), we often meet clients at moments of inspiration. Whether it starts with a passionate outburst about a challenge, a casual conversation over coffee, or a brief exploratory meeting—these initial sparks are often where brilliant projects begin.

But turning that spark into a tangible, well-executed engineering solution isn’t just a matter of jumping in.

That’s where a structured onboarding process becomes critical.

Why the Onboarding Process Matters

Engineering projects, especially those involving product development, process design, or technical consultation, are multi-layered. Often, between the client and the engineering team, there are:

• Unstated assumptions
• Unknown variables
• Unidentified risks
• Overlooked constraints

What Onboarding Looks Like in Practice

At IMHO, onboarding is not just about paperwork—it’s about partnership. Here's what a robust onboarding process typically involves:

Clarifying the Project Scope

We define:

• What exactly are we solving?
• What are the technical requirements?
• What is not included in the scope?

Establishing Clear Objectives

Not just what we're building—but why. Is it to improve efficiency? Create a prototype? Automate a manual process?

Knowing the objective helps design better, more strategic solutions.

Identifying Stakeholders and Roles

Who are the decision-makers? Who provides what? Who signs off at each stage?

Clear role definition reduces delays, confusion, and miscommunication.

Mapping Timelines and Deliverables

What are the key phases of the project? When will progress be reviewed? When are final outputs due?

A realistic, shared timeline ensures momentum and accountability.

Budget Alignment and Costing

Onboarding includes costing the entire scope realistically:

• Design
• Materials
• Fabrication
• Testing
• Revisions

Developing a Contract or Project Agreement

This isn't just legal formality—it’s a shared commitment. A contract ensures:

• Both parties are protected.
• Expectations are formalized.
• Payments, revisions, and IP rights are clearly laid out.

What Happens Without Onboarding?

Projects that skip onboarding often suffer from:

• Scope creep: where small additions turn into major rework.
• Miscommunication: leading to avoidable delays and frustrations.
• Budget overruns: due to vague or shifting requirements.
• Design misalignment: where the final product doesn’t actually meet the original intent.

Final Thoughts: Onboarding as a Strategic Investment

At IMHO, we don’t see onboarding as a delay—it’s part of doing it right. It’s the stage that transforms informal energy into structured momentum.

If you're about to embark on a technical or engineering project, take time to invest in the onboarding process. It’s not just about getting started—it’s about starting strong.

Whether you’re a first-time founder, a seasoned industrialist, or a government agency looking to implement impactful solutions, onboarding is where clarity, alignment, and trust begin.