We have looked at how the end users might drive the development of the software, but what about the owners of our designs? Do those who inherit the creations we design actually have any input into the software tools that we use?
My Opinion – Yes they do. Sometimes they actually drive the whole market.
Here are some of my reasons for feeling this way…
The owners can and do set demands on the hard copy and electronic deliverables. By doing this they have a say in what tools we are able to use in the design phases. By having this kind of sway, they are actually directing users to certain platform. This drives business and business funds the development cycles. We have a large healthcare client that is requiring BIM on the project.
Large government entities can mandate certain technologies. Many agencies require BIM use in building design and construction. The GSA started this movement in 2003 with the 3D-4D Building Information Modeling requirement. Many have followed suit such as NASA, General Motors, Crate & Barrel, Intel, LucasFilm and Walt Disney Imagineering. With this level of “big boy” adoption, the conversation had to move forward.
Dateline April 17, 2008 – The Virginia Office of Construction and Facilities Management this week issued a new requirement for the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) on all new major construction and renovation projects starting design in F.Y. ’09, while encouraging the use of BIM for projects starting in F.Y. ’08. Click here for more information.
Headlines like these are becoming commonplace.
Developers are connecting directly to owners, sometimes selling them software that make the cascade begin to the consultants they use.
This much activity and pressure from the owner/operators is having an impact on the whole development wing of software firms.
Users have always wanted a voice into the process of creating and refining new features that appear in future releases of software. This desire plays itself out in many ways, but does it actually impact the developers and what they focus their efforts on? The Users like to think so.
Having been associated with AUGI for quite a few years, there have been many user “Wish List” items that have made it into the software. Do these appear because they were on the list or would the developers do them anyway?
My Opinion: The voice of the user matters and it has an impact.
Many software developers listen closely to what the end user has to say. They provide many opportunities to “get involved” in the process. It may be Beta programs, Alpha programs, feedback websites, user interactions, polling, surveys and more.
Here is just what I have seen from Autodesk. If someone knows what the other vendors are doing – please comment and let us know.
Autodesk MyFeedBack Portal – the premiere site for getting involved. Run by Shaan Hurley and company – it is a great way to get your voice heard and get your hands on pre-release software. You can sign up to participate (if accepted) in several ongoing beta programs. Don’t just use this as a way to get a look at the possible next release, they require you to actually give them feedback.
Email them Directly – I mentioned this in a prior post. Just email them – how simple is that?
From their site…
“Usability is the ease with which you can use a product, and learn quickly in order to accomplish your objectives. Usability feedback sessions provide a venue for you to give feedback and contribute to the development of Autodesk products.
Autodesk is continually seeking people who possess various levels of industry expertise and familiarity with our products. Usability feedback sessions are conducted in the United States as well as internationally and generally take 1–2 hours. Sessions take place at an Autodesk facility or via the Web.
If you would like to participate, please submit. If your information matches an upcoming feedback session, we will contact you.”
This is great way to get connected. I have seen the Usability Lab in San Rafael. It looks like an interrogation room – har har. Far from it though… they have one way glass to watch how you interact with the tools, they do direct interviews, they ask questions, show options and they can do thing remotely – you do not have to leave your office to be involved.
You can also get involved at an AUGI CAD Camp. Many times Autodesk has come to do a “Futures” presentation and gather feedback. They also do this at AU.
With all this being said, does the voice of the customer really matter? Or are they doing these things just to make it seem like it does?
I can honestly say that from my interaction with Autodesk and Bentley and other third party developers, interacting with users is very valuable. Most of these teams look for ways to interact and take the information to heart.
You may not see your “wish” in the next release, but trust me – they are listening.
Over the lengthy time I have spent being involved with CAD and now BIM, I have seen a lot of software development that has improved our processes. I have also seen development that did not work so well. Sometimes I ask myself “Who is really responsible for creating these things?” “Who’s idea was that? So over the next few posts, I will try to answer that question…
But first, an intro…
I think software development is an interative process. Sure there a some leaps in CAD technology, some that are astounding, but for the most part we just keep improving what we have. I have seen new releases of software introduce a tool and then take 2-3 or more releases to get it right. One case in point is the maturing of text tools inside CAD programs. Boy have these things changed. What started as just single lines of text have matured into complete word processing tools. And we still demand more.
Sometimes software development is a flop. What appears to be a great idea, just does not translate well into a software product. It seems like it never lives up to the promise. I remember the fanfare of Autodesk Architectural Studio. What seemed like a great fledgling tool never caught on, never matured and was eventually abandoned. I also remember Autodesk Actrix. Another tool that had a short lifespan.
We tend to think of software development the same way we think of other products. We expect perfection and maturity out of the gate. We tend to think that version 1.0 will work with distinction. We have found that most developers do not want to unveil 1.0 releases because they are so fragile. So owe have seen the rise of “beta” programs that last forever. How long was GMail considered “beta”?
Here is a list of the Google tools that have been in public beta for extended times before they “hatched”from the Google Lab…
| Graduates of Labs | |
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Google Transit Plan trips using public transportation |
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GOOG-411 Search for local businesses using your voice, from any phone, for free. Dial 1-800-GOOG-411. |
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Google Reader Use Google’s web-based feed reader to keep track of your favorite web sites |
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Google Notebook Clip and collect information as you browse the web |
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Google Docs & Spreadsheets Create, store and share documents and spreadsheets on the web |
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Google Video Search TV programs and videos |
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Personalized Search Get the search results most relevant to you |
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iGoogle Add information you care about to your Google homepage |
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Google Maps View maps, get driving directions, and search for local businesses and services. |
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Google Scholar Search through journal articles, abstracts and other scholarly literature |
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Google SMS (US) Get precise answers to specialized queries from your mobile phone or device |
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Google Desktop Find all your information, whether it’s on the web or stored on your computer, from one convenient location |
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Google Groups 2 Create and join searchable discussion groups and mailing lists |
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Web Alerts Find out about new web pages on a topic of interest |
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Search by Location Restrict your search to a particular geographic area |
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Google Glossary Find definitions for words, phrases and acronyms |
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Google News Alerts Specify a topic and receive email updates when news breaks |
Most of us have used some of these tools when they were beta.
Now Autodesk has a Labs site – some of the recent graduates were the “Seek” Search and Impression (back in 07). So even Autodesk is in the beta business.
Looking into the process of software development may help clear the air about who does what and how, but it will not refine the creative process that provides leaps in technology.
Arthur C. Clarke said “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” In other words – they will be astounding (think Apple iPhone). Can that happen in the CAD market? Can there still be an undiscovered tool in CAD? Is BIM the “magic” that people have been looking for? BIM believers think so. Do you?
I have mentioned several items to review or check off the list when you have a new hire come into your office. Here are a few last ones.
Check back with them often – don’t let them fend for themselves. Return to their cubicle and chat with them from time to time. Ask if they have any questions. See how they are doing.
Give them some encouragement – look for things that they are doing well. Compliment them on the way they have blended in. Show them a new trick in the software or some tip that you have found that works well.
Bring them up to speed on trivial office politics – This is not to fling dirt on others, it is to help them avoid any potholes. I firmly believe that you should not cloud the waters of office politics with your own perspectives. Let each person find out for themselves who in the office is easy to work with and who needs a little more care and feeding. But if you know that there are some land mines out there, then protect the new guy from stepping on them.
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.
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…
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.
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?
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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