CADDManager on February 9th, 2009

There are some patterns that I have seen that frame the way an end user thinks and the concerns that they have that a CAD Manager must not forget when working with them. If you do not keep the End Users in mind, then you may overlook some of the obvious influences that affect your environment.

We looked at 1) being under pressure and 2) they think they are doing things correctly.

3.  Users don’t really want to think about CAD issues.

Most Users are happy drawing and modeling to their hearts content without having to think about Standards and methods.  They are not purposely avoiding standards, they just don’t necessarily think about them much.  There are some that think about them all the time and that is good, but I think that most do not.

You need to be the reminder for them all. You need to check in with them to see how they are doing and what they are doing.  You need to provide training and information about the standards constantly.  Keep them informed.  Remind them again and again.

4.  Users wish that you would make CAD easier.

They want things to go smoothly and not to worry about the standards as much.  They want the systems and menus to help them stay within the guidelines.  They do not understand why the software does not do all the things that the CAD Manager is asking them to do.

CAD Managers need to look into custom programing, third party tools and whatever they can get their hands on to make the system comply with the standards as the Users are drawing.  A few LISP routines and custom created blocks can go a long way.  Editing menus and the CUI will make the tools work to your advantage.

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