Standards Enforcement via Auditing (CAD Manager's Toolbox)

You could see dramatic results if you get your whole production team involved in upholding standards.

I received a great suggestion for standards enforcement from reader Todd Schuler in Ohio last week, and I want to share it with you. Todd has found that by examining some production drawings in a team-training environment, all his users have become more aware of the errors they make. They also have a heightened awareness of following standards because the likelihood of having their errors spotted goes up.

Here's the methodology:

• Each month, a cross-sectional sample of 20 CAD files is pulled for group review.

• The authors' names are blanked out on the files so the review will be anonymous.

• Using a design review methodology (in a conference room with a data projector), the group looks at each file for standards compliance problems and discusses any problems found.

• If problems are found, the design review team decides on how best to fix the problem and prevent its recurrence.

• The process continues rapidly so that all drawings are reviewed in no more than two hours.

• At the conclusion of the review, incorrect files are referred back to their owners who will know how to fix the problems.

Todd reports that standards compliance problems have dropped dramatically since putting this procedure into effect. 

As my thanks for Todd's input, a nice Cadalyst souvenir is on the way! Thank you.

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