New technology tools constantly make me a newbie. Even technology that is easy to figure out make me have questions that I cannot answer right away.
According to Wikipedia… Newbie (also said as nooby or newby) is a slang term for a newcomer… a somewhat clueless newcomer… It can have derogatory connotations, but is also often used for descriptive purposes only, without a value judgment.
I just got a new blackberry device (I use to have one of the older models way back when). So I am “getting up to speed” on it.
I wanted to try to figure it our myself, so I did not ask for help, did not read the book and did not go online. I wanted to see what an unassisted newbie felt like. I quickly figured out most of the functions, but eventually ended up asking on others.
What did I learn from trying to figure out my new device (and from other things)
- That newbies are all around us.
- That you can be an expert in one area and a newbie in another.
- That newbies feel lost from time to time.
- That newbies are not as productive as others.
- That Noobs are often left without help.
- That noobies often cannot help themselves.
- That newbies depend on the internet to find out how to do things.
- That newbies are not to be blamed for not knowing.
- That newbies often do not get it right.
- That newbies need help and it is not their fault.
- That I am a newbie in many areas where I have not ventured yet.
- I have been a newbie in the past and I will be one in the future.
All of this means that the CAD Manager needs to be patient and helpful to newbies. Kind of a no brainer, but a good reminder anyway.
Tools – Talent – Technology – Training
Keep the four T’s in your mind at all times. Working all of these four areas together will provide you with a good platform for success.
Select the tools that you will use, seek out the talented people in your firm, give them the right blend of tools and then train them for all it’s worth.
By constantly moving through these areas, reviewing the successes and lessons learned your CAD environment will be making progress. If you find an area that need attention, spend some time focusing your efforts to make that area stronger. Working through each of this will provide yu with a roadmap of improvements.
Tools – Talent – Technology – Training
These four T’s can be used to define your efforts in you job. Combine these four and you get a balanced approach to CAD.
Training is how you get everyone there. Provide it and you succeed. Let it laps and your best tools and talent go stale.
Training is the battery pack that gets everything energized. Firms that fail to pay enough attention to training find themselves behind the curve. Training is needed for new users. Training can help you avoid the Project Killers I spoke of before in the August Journal.
Here are several posts I have done on Training over the years. Read up and plan some training.
Here is a good reason that most firms avoid training…
The Quadruple whammy – away from work, not billable, training cost money and you have to pay for their time. This has always been a sore spot for firms that are thinking of earning and saving money (and who isn’t). Since they have to dedicate the time to training it takes them away from being productive and contributing to the project (on the short term). They also are not billable when they are in training since they are not contributing to the project deliverable. It costs money to send them to training. And finally, you have to pay their salary while they sit in training. That is four slams on the project and your budget.
Don’t let the negatives stop you from trying. Securing the training budget is crucial to your team moving forward.
Tools – Talent – Technology – Training
These four T’s can be used to define your efforts in you job. Combine these four and you get a balanced approach to CAD.
Turning now to the technology of CAD
Technology is your approach to using the tools and the talent. Who gets to use what? What mix can they have? When do they select the tools? When do you push toward the next great tech tool.
In the Tools post we talked about selecting individual tools. Now we will turn to the mix of tools that you have and how you effectively blend that mix.
If you are like most firms, you have several tools that you use. Some of them are focused on one area and doing one function. Some are broader and can be used for just about everything. Your selection of what tool to use for what job falls under your use of technology.
Merriam-Webster defines technology as “a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge”. Within this definition is the concept of what processes and methods and tools you use.
The CAD Manager is in a perfect position to suggest how best to use the tools. What tools are used for early conceptual design? What ones are best suited for rendering? Which ones do the best at producing hardcopy output? Some of the tools overlap. They do multiple phases of work.
Defining the mix of tools allows the end user to not have to struggle through selecting them themselves. You should have a preferred selection of which on to use for each step. Make a list of all the software and what phases of work it can cover. Then select the preferred one for each phase. Seek to have everyone use the preferred tool.
Tools – Talent – Technology – Training
These four T’s can be used to define your efforts in you job. Combine these four and you get a balanced approach to CAD.
Now let’s look at Talent
Talent relates to who is using the tools. Do they have a gut level understanding of how they are used? Do they get it? Do they push the limits?
The Talent that comes to your firm is you raw material. The actual personal make up of the person that is using CAD. This is not training, not a learned response, not a list of steps followed. I am talking about the ability of your team to “get it”.
Dictionary.com defines talent as:
1. a special natural ability or aptitude
2. a capacity for achievement or success; ability
This is the innate natural ability to understand or figure out CAD and BIM tools. You do not learn it – you appear to be born with it. Talent can be enhanced by learning, but there is a internal aptitide that is there waiting to come out.
People with talent are a smaller percentage than some would wish. Some think that every person can be and do the same way. This is not true with CAD and you don’t have to look very far to see it in action. I bet you can rank your users by their ability to use CAD. I am sure that some will rise to the top and others will fall toward the bottom of the list.
Talent is what sets some users apart from others. They just seem to figure things out. They can see through the difficulties and find answers. They seem to be a step ahead of others. They approach technology without fear.
These users are your best bet for enlisting for assistance. Get them on your team and you stand a better chance of success.
Spotting Talent:
The CAD Manager needs to hone their skill of spotting talent. By keeping your eyes and ears open, you will improve your speed at finding the ones that have that special spark. Listen to the questions people ask. Look for the ones that are asking questions beyond the process and procedure level. Talented people will ask “why” and not just “how”. Keep your eyes out for who is being sought out by others as the go to person. These are the ones that have the talent you need.
Attracting Talent:
Spotting talent is not enough. You have to attract talented people. You do this by having an environment that provides the raw materials of CAD and the space to mix these materials in the lab. You set up an environment of learning and sharing. You do it by hosting user meetings at your offices and invite in those outside. You share your knowledge with the industry this way and others will want to join your firm.
Talent is what makes your team shine. Nurture those with talent and they will help you make progress.
Autodesk announces the Autodesk Efficiency Stimulus Program.
We all know that software costs a lot… here is a chance for it to cost a little less.
From the site:
“The Autodesk Efficiency Stimulus Program can help your company see immediate gains in efficiency, productivity and quality. Invest in your infrastructure with new Autodesk 2009 solutions.”
Savings of up to a total of $2,000 (when you buy 5 seats) on the purchase of select Autodesk products, reducing your software outlay.
Eligible participants may apply for a rebate of:
• US$200 for each new seat (license) of AutoCAD LT® 2009
• US$400 for each new seat (license) of AutoCAD® 2009
• US$400 for each new seat (license) of AutoCAD® Raster Design 2009, Autodesk 3ds Max® 2009,
Autodesk 3ds Max® Design, 2009, AutoCAD P&ID® 2009, AutoCAD Map® 3D 2009, AutoCAD®
Architecture 2009, AutoCAD® Mechanical 2009, AutoCAD® Utility Design 2009, AutoCAD® Electrical
2009, AutoCAD® MEP 2009, AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2009, Revit® Architecture 2009, AutoCAD® Revit®
Architecture Suite 2009, AutoCAD® Revit® Architecture Suite 2009.1, Revit® Structure 2009,
AutoCAD® Revit® Structure Suite 2009, AutoCAD® Revit® MEP Suite 2009, Autodesk® Inventor® Suite
2009, Autodesk® Inventor® Professional 2009, Autodesk® Inventor® Routed Systems Suite 2009,
Autodesk® Inventor® Simulation Suite 2009, Autodesk® TopobaseTM Client 2009, and AutoCAD® Civil
2009.
Offer expires 10.17.08 and is subject to terms and conditions.
Purchase Dates:
August 18, 2008 – October 17, 2008
Postmark Dates:
Submissions must be postmarked within 30 days of qualifying purchase invoice dates.
Get it done – don’t miss this opportunity to get some cash back.
NOTE: (Added the link to terms and conditions above – I forgot. See comments for more links)
Tools – Talent – Technology – Training
These four T’s can be used to define your efforts in you job. Combine these four and you get a balanced approach to CAD.
Let’s look at the Tools
Tools relates to the ones that you select. Which ones will you use? What will you use them for?
Defining the individual Tools that are in your firms tool box is part of your job as a CAD Manager. The process for selecting each tools should be systematic,selective and inclusive of many voices. But at some point, the CAD Manager has to weigh in with a choice.
No Choice:
Some CAD Managers don’t get a choice. They inherit tools. The tools are selected by others. Or the client or project defines the tool. These are realities that we all have to live with. So working with tools that may not be on the top of your list is a day to day reality.
When you have no choice on the tools being used – you need to make the best of it. Don’t complain about how crummy the tools are (even though they may be). Do your best to get the best out of each tool. Look for and build on the best parts of each tool. Try to minimize or work around the areas that are weak.
When you Choose:
When you have the chance to choose the tools that your firm works with, what do you look for? The best all around tool? The best at one particular function? The newest? The cheapest? There are many factors that go into software choices. I could not really list them all. And if I tried, I may miss the ones that you think is most important.
Is it cost? Is it compatibility with other tools? Is it what others are using (industry standard). Is it knowledge of your users? Is it training costs? Support costs?
When I weigh the selection of CAD tools, I have to take all of these into account. Leaving one out may sabotage your selection. Wading through the impactful issues may be tough.
So here is a challenge: Comment on this post with your top three factors that go into software choices…
I modified my theme. I am still working on it. I think most pages are working correctly. I think that most plugins are working correctly.
Let me know what you think…
or let me know what is not working…
I was interviewed by the AU team about my classes and perspective on the Autodesk University experience. They have posted the podcast. It is about 5 minutes long.
Check it out…
http://au.autodesk.com/blogs/view/Mark_Kiker_Tech_Skills_Are_Not/
From the site:
In this interview, Mark Kiker, CIO of HMC Architects in Ontario, California, says that you can be a savvy technical expert, yet fail as a CAD manager if you don’t have the right people skills. He also shares some tips for making the most of your AU experience. [5:14 min]
Let me know what you think…
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