After more than a decade of managing laser scanning and post-processing projects, I can confidently say: success rarely hinges on technology alone. The true challenges — and the real rewards — come from how you manage people, expectations, and the unpredictable realities of the field.

Here are five lessons that have proven themselves project after project, no matter how much the tools or techniques have changed.

Communication Is Everything

It might sound simple, but good communication is the foundation of every successful laser scanning project. Within the team, it's essential to keep everyone aligned — whether it’s about scanning strategies, data requirements, or delivery deadlines. A small miscommunication can easily lead to missing data or delays that cost both time and money.

Client communication is equally critical. From the very beginning, it’s important to set clear expectations about what will be delivered, when, and under what conditions. Regular updates, even when things are running smoothly, help prevent surprises and build trust. In this field, overcommunicating is far better than assuming everything is understood.

One important part of planning is making sure the client communicates clearly with everyone onsite about when scanning will take place. It’s surprisingly common to show up on location only to be met with confusion: the personnel on site have no idea why you are there or what work is planned. This can cause unnecessary delays, restricted access, and frustration on both sides. Clear communication from the client to the site staff ahead of time is just as important as your own preparation.

Every Project Is Different

No two projects are ever truly identical — even if, on paper, they seem like perfect copies. It’s tempting to think, “We’ve scanned a site just like this before; this will be easy.” But every location has its own quirks: access restrictions, ongoing construction work, weather conditions, unexpected obstacles, and even small variations in the layout can dramatically affect how a scan needs to be performed.

Approaching every project with fresh eyes, asking the right questions early, and preparing for differences — even when it feels like you’ve seen it all before — is crucial to avoid surprises later.

Planning for the Unplanned

If you’ve been involved in laser scanning projects for any length of time, you know that the unexpected is not the exception — it’s the norm. Access points might be blocked, a sudden downpour could ruin an outdoor session, or a critical area could be filled with workers and machinery.

Even during the offering phase, it’s important to discuss these realities with the client. Real-world conditions can and will affect the project. Building realistic buffers into schedules and maintaining flexibility isn’t just good project management — it’s what makes it possible to deliver at all when things inevitably change.

Preparation, transparency, and adaptability are what separate a smooth recovery from a major project risk.

Learning After Every Project

In the rush to move from one project to the next, it’s easy to skip the important step of reviewing what actually happened. Yet this is where some of the most valuable lessons come from.

After each project, take a moment to honestly assess: What went well? What caused friction, delays, or confusion? Were there gaps in the workflow, the communication, or the tools? Equally important: what aspects went smoothly and should be deliberately repeated?

Improvement doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by deliberately analyzing experiences and consciously reinforcing the good habits while eliminating the weak points.

The Tools Evolve, But the Principles Stay the Same

Over the last decade, scanners have gotten faster, point clouds denser, and processing software smarter. But while the technology evolves, the core principles stay the same. Clear communication, realistic planning, continuous improvement, and resilience in the face of change — these are the skills that will carry you through any shift in the industry.

No piece of equipment can replace the fundamentals. Master them, and you'll be ready for whatever the next wave of innovation brings.

Final Thoughts

Laser scanning is more than a technical exercise — it's a complex, living process that brings together people, technology, and environments in ways that are rarely simple. Whether you’re just getting started or have years of experience, investing in the fundamentals of project management will make every scan, every model, and every delivery stronger.