We started Method in response to an industry shake-up which saw a number of events consolidated under a single owner. We (Method founders James & Will) parted with one of the UK's largest festival operators to create our own production company that reflects our diligent work ethic and approach to project management; a new Method.

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Throughout our careers we have produced a broad spectrum of events, including 50,000 capacity outdoor concerts, 30,000 capacity camping festivals, 5,000 capacity brand showcase events, and 3,000 capacity Christmas markets. What interests us most, and what defines our approach as an event production company, is how a project is planned and delivered, rather than the scale or scope.

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Our attitude towards planning and the importance we place on thoroughness and detail is the golden thread that links all our projects, regardless of the type of event we are producing. We have developed a unique set of systems and procedures, used across our portfolio to ensure that projects are managed symmetrically and systematically. In this article we outline our approach, and the pillars we have built this delivery framework around.

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Preparedness

Event production as a discipline can be prone to a chaotic 11th hour as the showtime approaches. Typically the headline features of an event and top-line planning is undertaken months in advance, with deliverables such as site plans, entertainment schedules and infrastructure procurement receiving a lot of attention early in the process. However, this often leaves a raft of less-glamorous tasks to be completed at the last minute, many of which are critical to the smooth operation of an event. Accreditation systems, gate operations, inter-departmental briefings, event KPIs and reporting templates are usually considered under significant time pressure, and often delegated without proper training. We tackle these fundamentals early in the planning process to aid a smooth build and opening; using methods standardised across all our projects for efficient delivery and reporting. Our clients have total visibility of these plans, such that they possess a complete delivery model for their project before the first boots hit the ground.

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Attention to detail

The compex, multi-agency nature of large-scale projects means that the compound effect of numerous small inaccuracies and errors in event plans can be catastrophic. With several key contractors and stakeholders responsible for crowd safety and enacting contingency scenarios, it is crucially important that plans and documentation tessellate precisely, without contradiction or ambiguity. This means paying careful attention to the granular detail of event plans and the respective allocation of resources. Event Safety Management Plans are often outsourced to third party consultants, but we have developed our own suite of documentation that is continually reviewed and developed; defining the principles and practices for event planning and delivery. The same level of scrutiny is applied to each task we undertake, with a recognisable integrity to every deliverable we produce. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail.

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Positive thinking

We are masters of perpetual problem solving. The relentless pace of event production alongside the unpredictable slew of issues that need to be triaged and addressed benefits from a specific attitude and skill set. We strive to be a calming, positive influence on site, and the teams we assemble for each project share this trait. With our combined experience, there are few issues we have not already navigated, and we always take the time to properly review and learn from any misstep. We have chosen this industry and this discipline because of the excitement and nourishment that comes from planning, building and delivering an experience that is enjoyed by others. This is our motivation to improve and grow, and is central to our approach.