CAD Manager's Newsletter (#427)

Proactive CAD Management – for 2019 and Beyond

Make this the year that you set up long-term strategies to prevent problems from occurring in the first place.

If you're a CAD manager I don't have to tell you how many responsibilities you have and how much pressure you are under — you already know. However, what many CAD managers miss is the importance of having a long-term strategy to prevent problems in the first place. I like to think of CAD management like a well-crafted chess game — the more you think through your moves the higher the chance that you'll win.

In this edition of the CAD Manager's Newsletter I'll share my updated strategies for CAD management in 2019. Here goes.

Image source carlofornitano/istockphoto.com

Strategy 1: Mind the Basics

While it might be more exciting to think about new technologies and workflows than it is to dwell on the basics, the smart CAD manager should never lose sight of tending to those basics. By paying attention to them, you'll be in a defensive position, when working against difficulties. After all, part of moving forward is making sure you don't slide backward, right? What are the basics I'm talking about? Consider these:

The simple fact is if you don't do these basic tasks well, everything can spiral out of control very quickly. Stop enforcing standards and you'll spend weeks fixing project files. Stop training people and best practices will devolve. Lose track of filing/security control and intellectual property could be at risk of loss or theft. I'll let you think of the myriad of ways things could go wrong.

Action Item(s): Be sure you have procedures in place to deal with standards problems as well as filing/security issues so you can respond immediately if the problem comes up. I like to think of these types of procedures as fire extinguishers -— the time to have one is before the fire breaks out.

Strategy 2: Ongoing Training Programs

Be sure you have some sort of training plan in place even if just an hour or two per month. Whether the training is in person, via webinar or just a conference call doesn't much matter, what is important is that communication occurs at regular intervals. Training topics can change each month as project demands and software updates dictate but be sure to always stress standards and file security so users don't forget the basics.

Action Item(s): If you don't have a regularly scheduled training program, start one. If your management doesn't see the value in training, show them. Make sure your users understand the importance of training as a communication tool.Read more »

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