This was session 361, part of the Wireless LAN Professional Wi-Fi Design Class, where Ferney covered the complete lifecycle of a Wi-Fi project. The session focused extensively on the definition phase, explaining that proper project definition goes far beyond simply installing Wi-Fi everywhere – it requires understanding client requirements, device types and capabilities, cabling infrastructure, budget constraints, vendor selection, power requirements, and physical mounting considerations. Ferney emphasized that Wi-Fi professionals should be involved in all stages of the project lifecycle rather than just being called in for post-deployment surveys when problems arise. The discussion included detailed explanations of design tools like Ekahau, Hamina, and Wavelify, and the importance of pre-deployment validation using “AP on a stick” testing to ensure designs work in real-world conditions. Ferney also clarified the difference between design (predictive simulation) and survey (on-site measurement), and addressed common pitfalls like the “one AP per classroom” approach that often leads to inadequate coverage.