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Your Weekly Report
14 Apr, 2010 By: Robert GreenCAD Manager's Toolbox: Documenting your completed and upcoming tasks will help your boss understand the challenges you face.
I was giving a lecture on CAD management recently and was shocked at how few CAD managers report to their senior management teams on a regular basis. After all, if you don't tell your management what you're up to, how will they know how valuable you really are?
I discussed my approach for a weekly reporting method with the audience, and I'd like to share it with you as well.
Step 1: Keep a diary. As you complete tasks throughout the workweek, write down your accomplishments in a brief diary-style format. Examples of the entries might be "completed installation of new plotter" or "finished training materials preparation for BIM overview course." The point is simply to keep track of what you've done in short, descriptive phrases.
Step 2: Format the diary. Simply arrange your diary into a one-task-per-line format that is chronologically ordered, and you'll have a simplified history of your week.
Step 3: See the future. Now think about what you hope to accomplish next week, and write it down in the same style. This task list for the next week will be your CAD management "To Do" list, which will help to keep you on track and alert your management team to the challenges you're working on.
Step 4: Submit to management. Now arrange your report with the weekly diary first, followed by your proposed tasks for next week, all in a single-page format that will be easy for your boss to read. Submit this report weekly by leaving it on the boss's chair or keyboard.
After a while, your boss will come to expect your report and will have a much greater understanding of the challenges you face. More importantly, your senior management team will begin to understand how valuable CAD management is in getting project work done on time and on budget. And when management knows your value, your career is much more likely to flourish.
Do you have a helpful tip or item for the CAD Manager's Newsletter? Send it to me at rgreen@cad-manager.com. If I use your tip in the newsletter you'll receive a cool Cadalyst prize!
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