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?
1 Comment To "Written CAD Standards – Print It"
#1 Comment By Laura Handler On May 6, 2008 @ 4:23 AM
I don’t print our standards for a few reasons. One is that they are based on VDC implementation, so they are being updated and elaborated (although not changed!) on almost continuously. I would hate to have to print out copies of standards for users everytime things are significantly added to (which is more frequent that one might thing). Another is that it is a waste of paper (especially considering how many times they might need to be reprinted). Our company is dedicated to reducing our footprint, so we are encouraged to use less paper.
I understand the reasons to print, but I find the reasons not to print much more compelling.