Balance

The Art of Workshop Organisation – Declan’s Journey with Terra Mechanica Maris

There’s something deeply satisfying about setting up a workshop from scratch. Laying out the tools, fine tuning the layout, testing it out with a little job and finally seeing everything fall into place. At Terra Mechanica Maris, we take pride in engineering excellence, and that extends to how we set up our workspace.

For me, the process has been a serious undertaking, but also a strangely relaxing one. It has been a great way to use all the skills I've learned over my career -  experimenting with different ways of arranging tools, testing out Lean Six Sigma organisational methods, and refining the setup until it feels just right. Efficiency is the name of the game, and I’ve been letting those principles flow naturally. It doesn't take long to throw tools at a board on the wall, but it does when tweaking, improving, and perfecting the layout.

From shadow foam inserts to clever storage solutions, everything has its place. Tools go up on the wall not just for aesthetics, but so that every piece of equipment is exactly where it needs to be. The goal is zero wasted time searching for things, allowing for a seamless workflow. It’s the same philosophy we apply to not only engineering but any part of our lives - streamlined processes lead to better results.

Balancing It All – From the Scottish Government to ISO 9001

Of course, workshop setup isn’t my full time job. I work full time for the Scottish Government so all of this happens after hours and at weekends. I'm also planning my own wedding for this year which, as a DIY wedding, is taking a lot of time and effort.

Some might call it a lot to juggle, but I enjoy it. It's an opportunity to unwind in my own space. Getting everything in order for Terra Mechanica Maris doesn’t feel like work, it’s something I genuinely love doing. It’s that sense of building something from the ground up that keeps me going.

Lately, I’ve been working on something even bigger. I've now advanced my membership with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). After putting in the effort to develop my skills and expertise over the years, I’ve now reached full membership status. Chartered Manager status is now firmly on the horizon, and it’s a step I’m eager to take.

On top of that, ISO 9001 accreditation is another major project I’ve taken on. I've been working hard in the background to build a quality management system, ensuring that all the forms and procedures are in place. Ensuring that Terra Mechanica Maris meets the highest standards is a challenge, but one I’m tackling head on.

An Organised Mind, an Organised Workshop

There are many different ways that people unwind. Some people enjoy watching TV or playing video games. Others unwind by engaging with something hands on. For me, it normally starts by heading to the workshop.

I've found that spending time organising, refining, and improving is what helps relax me. The great thing about this whole process is that it never really feels like a chore. Whether it’s getting the workshop setup perfect, structuring business processes, or working towards professional accreditation, I get a real sense of satisfaction from seeing everything click into place.

For now, the Terra Mechanica Maris workshop is shaping up beautifully, and like all great projects, there’s always room for improvement. That’s all part of the fun though!

— Declan