Holdfast Training Services Trial Blog

Introduction

This blog aims to get a discussion going on the topic of utilising CAD packages in your design offices. I’ll kick-off with NDY’s set-up…

REVIT is seen, pretty much construction industry wide and certainly at NDY, as the flagship CAD package. We have a dedicated CAD team that solely use REVIT, although skills do exist for other CAD packages such as AutoCAD.

NDY promote their use of REVIT and like to express this to their client base so they are seen as operating with the latest industry technology. However, there is a problem. I’ll use my current section, Interiors, as an example of a typical project.

Problem

The Interiors Section of the Existing Buildings Department focuses on short-term projects, usually 6 – 8 wks. Therefore, turn-around times for CAD drawings, in particular, are tight. If the design is of specific technical complexity then usually REVIT will be: a) requested by the client and b) preferred by us as we can programme in the CAD requirements and resource through our dedicated CAD team. However, due to short project deliverable timelines and sometimes more basic CAD requirements along with client requests for only needing simple drawings, it can be a lot quicker if these are created ‘in-section’ (opposed to in-house) using AutoCAD. This negates the need to resource to the CAD team which they prefer as their bread and butter work, for the core departments working on large complex projects, can continue unhindered.

The AutoCAD capability exists in the Interiors Section so this affords us great flexibility in managing project deliverables and in-turn removes pressure from the wider office.

In addition, NDY also have an outsourcing capability in Indochina where we have a process in place that outsources CAD requirements. A great capability but for short-term work the lead-time required for the process to work efficiently means that we still prefer to do this in-section. It also means we can make amendments and re-issue drawings in the most efficient and effective manner.

As time is money you can see how this creates cost savings, especially when you compare the technical skills required between using basic AutoCAD and REVIT.

Discuss…

I’ll leave it there with the hope to spark a discussion about your experiences and thoughts…

Edited with Outsourcing CAD process.