CADDManager Blog

More info on what to discuss with a new hire…

Get them into training - No matter what level of expertise they have, everyone needs training.  At the very least you should train them in the proper use of the CAD Standard.  You should develop levels of training that address new hires.  Differing lenghts and topics could be covered based on the need of the user.

Connect them to the Super Users - you cannot be everywhere at once. Make sure they know who to go to if you are not around.  You most likely know who the hot shots are so connect the new hires with them.  If they are on a project team, point out the best resources for them to go to.

Find out if they have any good ideas - capture those new set of eyes - they may see flaws in your standard, process or standard that you overlook just because you have become comfortable in your documents and processes.  Encourage them to share with you rather than others.  Don’t let them start talking down about the procedures you have in place.  If they have a concern, have them talk with you.

Make sure they have what they need - hardware good? Software tools needed?  We have many people join our firm with the same title and differing needs.  Just because someone fills a position does not mean that they need the exact same laundry list of tools.  Make sure that each person has the right mix.

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We have been going through a hiring spurt at my firm and with that comes the inevitable orientation process for the new person.  This includes not only showing them where the restroom, coffee bar and lunch room are located, but also getting them started down the path of “fitting in”.

From the CAD perspective this would include the following (in no particular order):

Make them comfortable - This may be the key to all other issues in this topic.  You need to make them feel comfortable in sharing information.  If they feel intimidated, they will clam up and not ask for help, not share their questions or not check with you on issues.  This means that they will just do what they want or feel they “need” to do to get the job out the door.  They will most likely fall back into old habits from prior company standards.  The trouble is that it may not work in this new environment.

Give them a copy of the CAD Standards - and don’t just give it to them.  Explain it.  Have them read it and ask questions.  Emphasize that they will be required to comply with it.  They need to know what is in there and how it impacts their workflow.

Talk to them about their previous Standards - Do they have a copy that you can review?  You would then be able to read what others have done and pick up the good ideas.  You will also be able to know the “bad” ideas that you want this new person to not be doing on your files.  If they don’t have hard copy, then just chat with them a while to see what you might pick up.

Finding out what they know -  Where were they before they hired on?   This has more impact on their CAD habits than training, book learning and coaching.  They have picked up and will continue to try to use old habits from another CAD environment.  You need to find out how much experience in CAD they have.  It goes beyond what they may have printed in their resume or what they may have told the hiring manager.  You need to real life level of their CAD expertise.  Once you have some idea of their CAD knowledge you can adjust your dedication to training them in the “new” way of doing things at your firm.

more to come…

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I mentioned this before when it was in Beta.  Now it is live…

News Release Issued: May 6, 2008 8:37 AM EDT

Autodesk Unveils Autodesk Seek Web Service for AEC Industries

Autodesk’s New Web Services Empowers Architects, Engineers and Designers to Search, Select and Specify Building Products from within their Design Applications

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., May 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Driving the move to integrate rich information directly into building designs, Autodesk, Inc.
(NASDAQ: ADSK) today announced the launch of Autodesk Seek, a groundbreaking web service that allows architects, engineers and designers to search, select and specify building products using Autodesk’s advanced search technology.

Autodesk Seek provides a consolidated online source for building product design information and delivers information-rich results — including relevant design files in multiple formats from within the customer’s design applications. Design files can be easily dropped directly into the designer’s building model or drawing, reducing the need to recreate individual components in the design. This embedded search functionality is now available in the 2009 U.S. versions of Autodesk’s Revit-based software applications, as well as AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP. The web service is also available through standard browsers at http://seek.autodesk.com/.

“Autodesk Seek enhances designers’ productivity by helping to eliminate the pain of looking for specific building product information and their associated design files, which are often scattered across various sources such as catalogs and online libraries,” said Jeff Wright, director, Content Solutions, at Autodesk. “With this new Autodesk web service, architects, designers and building engineers can now more easily focus on what they do best — creating innovative building designs.”

Today’s announcement around search reinforces Autodesk’s push to empower architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms by delivering new applications and technology solutions that build on the foundations of building information modeling (BIM), and that support its customers’ need to create, predict and deliver their ideas in increasingly more optimal and more effective ways.

The Autodesk Seek web service connects the millions of designers in the AutoCAD and Revit communities with the building products of manufacturers who understand the value of making their product information available to designers at the right time and the right place — in the design software application. Benefits to users and suppliers include:

– Access — Designers working in AutoCAD and Revit-based applications can
quickly access specifications and design files among a universe of
building products and insert them directly into their drawings or
building models.
– Precision — Designers can find what they are looking for based on key
product characteristics (e.g., dimensions, materials or “green”
performance criteria) through the Autodesk Seek parametric search
engine.
– Standards — Autodesk Seek supports industry data standards and design
formats, allowing architects and engineers using any design package to
access a breadth of product information from their desktops.
– Reusability — Designers can find and re-use models rather than
searching for information each time they begin a new project.
Manufacturers’ product information investments can be reused in other
online initiatives.

Autodesk Seek is slated to be showcased at AIA Expo2008 in Boston, May 15-17, at Autodesk booth #20121.

In the months ahead, Autodesk Seek content and categories will continue to expand to support new industries and products, with the addition of further building product manufacturers (BPMs) and partners.

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Most of us have a written CAD Standard. The question is… do you publish it via hard copy?

Some say to post it on an Intranet. Some say send it out via email as a PDF file. Some embed it into their menu system. All these are good and may need to be done, but some say “do not print” the Standard.

I say there is still a need to have it as hard copy on each persons desk. Here are some reasons why…

• People still need to refer to it offline
• Users need to bring it to meetings
• Management needs to see it being used
• You need to use it in every training class
• You need to discuss it among groups of users
• You need to know that users refer to it.

Can you think of any other reasons for printing it out? or reasons to not print?

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As one of you commented on my last post - writing the CAD Standard is a major accomplishment, but keep it up to date is another.

When you finally have a Standard in place - when should it be updated?

Last November I posted - CAD Standards - Not Set in Stone

This post talked about some of the milestones that may trigger a rewrite or update. Take a look and see what I mentioned.

Other items that may trigger a rewrite?

When a new CAD Manager takes over. If you have just started your tenure with a firm, this is a good place to start. Take a long look at the existing standard and find out what people think should be changed.

After an Acquisition. If you have just merged or purchased another firm - take a look at their CAD Standard and pull out the best ideas.

Can you think of any more?

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I just received the latest ZweigWhite Information Technology Survey for 2008. It provides a wealth of information to see where the industry is going and how you may stack up. It is an annual survey of A/E firms. This year 129 firms participated. Data was collected during Jan, Feb and March of 2008.

I eagerly look through this document for interesting information about all sorts of topics. They have 10 areas of survey results that range from firm information, to CAD and BIM, to Project Web sites, to communication tools and so much more.

I have tracked the last few publications and found that the level of CAD Standards development has increased over the years.

In 2006 91% of the firms responded that they had a written CAD Standard. In 2007 it went up to 92%. Now in 2008 it is 94%. Of this percentage 67% say that the standard covers all offices. 15% have differing standards for differing locations and 12% use a client or specific project standard.

It is encouraging to think that almost everyone now has a written standard. How good they are may be another question. How often they are reviewed and enforced may be another.

Does your firm have a written standard?

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Well - nothing like waiting until the last minute…

The last day to submit proposals for Autodesk University 2008 (Las Vegas, Dec. 2008) was Sunday the 27th. So I just got in under the wire. You can actually help define the classes that will be presented at AU 2008. This is something new. You can vote on your options…

I submitted the following:

CAD Leadership - 2008 - Some offices seem to hum with productivity; others struggle with differing opinions and methods. And some never seem to advance in the use of their software tools. What makes the difference? Often the answer is CAD leadership and the CAD Manager. Who you are will make a deeper impact on your firm and the office CAD productivity output. Come and find out key concepts you can use to create the environment for positive technology use. Practical - real world advice on taking the next step in your career.

CAD Manager Career Path - Some people stumble into CAD Management. Others strive to get there but never seem to make it. There may actually be a well defined path to travel. We will discuss what you need to get the job, how to hold on to the job and how to advance your career to the next level. No matter where you are on the ladder of success, you will come away with practical time tested ways to move up.

Preventative CAD Management - Preventative (or Proactive) CAD Management involves the concept of setting up processes and guidelines in order to prevent things from going wrong. Reactive management just responds to problems as they come up. This is part of the job, but can often settle you into the rut of responsiveness. Responding to, but not avoiding problems. Just like changing the oil in your car is a preventative measure, there are some things you can put into place to avoid having troubles later on.

and a couple of new ones…

Common Sense CAD - Most people never really think about what they are doing in CAD.They never know the unwritten rules. They just keep doing the things that they were taught and don’t think about the reasons they do them. We will discuss the undiscussed rules of CAD. Those areas that get violated every day by someone. Are you using your common sense when you use CAD?

BIM Manager - The Newest Position - BIM Manager, BIM Leader, BIM Coach, BIM Coordinator. Just some of the titles being handed out to those forward thinking BIM leaders.  There is a new position that is developing as BIM progresses. It is one dedicated to overseeing BIM projects. Is it different that CAD Manager? Is it the same? What duties should a BIM Manager be doing? What are the same? Is this a short term evolution or is the CAD Manager being replaced? Discover what it takes to be a BIM Manager.

I am not sure which ones - if any - will be selected.

Check out more on AU 2008 here

Are you planning on attending?

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Autodesk helps you - help yourself…

From the site:

What is Autodesk^® Seek?
It is a web service that allows designers - architects, engineers, students - to search and find generic or manufacturer-specific building products or components and associated design content. This content could include 3D models, 2D drawings, specifications, and descriptions for that product or component.

Which industries are you targeting with Autodesk^® Seek?
Currently, it is targeted at designers working in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry. We are considering extending the service to include content particularly useful for mechanical designers in the future.

What are the system requirements for Autodesk^® Seek?
This is a web service, so all you need is an internet connection and a web browser. The browsers that are recommended are Firefox 2.0 and Internet Explorer 7.

How do I download files from Autodesk^® Seek to use with my design applications?
After either searching or browsing for the file that you are looking for, select the row in the search results page that you are interested in. This will allow you view additional details about the product or component that you are interested in as well as allow you to download the relevant design files. The first time you download a file, you will be required to confirm that you have and agree to the Terms of Use. Download the file to the desired location and use the appropriate design application to open the file.

What types of files are available from Autodesk^® Seek?
We have adopted an open approach in order to provide you with the design file or product specification that you need regardless of its format. This service is not restricted to only providing you files that are of an Autodesk format. You will find everything from Revit product family files and DWG files to DGN and SKP files to Microsoft Word documents and PDFs.

Go to Autodesk Seek

What others are saying…

Video

Labs Blog

Between the lines

BLAUGI

JTB World

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The focus this month will be on keeping your current position or landing that new job. Some of you may be looking for greener pastures or unfortunately out of a position. Some may be trying to move into the CAD Manager roll. So here are some words of advice.

How to Keep your Job

Interviewing for a CAD Manager Job

How to Get Hired

Book Review - AutoCAD 2009 Fundamentals - by Ascent

If you want to sign up for the journals email delivery click here

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