Destination CAD
I have worked for Architectural firms that design Destination
Architecture. Theme Parks, Restaurants, Resorts,
Hospitality, Hotels, etc. The term is associated with places
where people would like to go.
I have embraced this concept and want to apply it to CAD.
So consider this an introduction to Destination
CAD. Destination CAD is an environment where people want to
be. It creates a buzz in your industry about your firm.
It develops a place where people
want to work.
Don't underestimate the reputation of your firm amongst the CAD
community. Word gets around among users and your reputation
may proceed you. This can be a good thing or a bad thing.
If you have created a negative environment, then users may not be
encouraged to seek employment with your firm. It actually
generates a situation that deters professional from desiring to join
in. I have heard people mention firms where they would not
like to work and workers who desire to leave the company they are
with because of the CAD environment.
So here are some areas that will make your firm a Destination CAD
environment.
- Destination CAD has a solid Standard. Users want to
know what is required of them and have a logical easy to
understand Standard that provides the answers to the questions
that they will ask about producing drawings. Check out
the areas that I
have defined as needed.
- Destination CAD has up-to-date software. Most folks do
not want to work in a location that is 3 or 4 releases behind
the industry. This does not mean that you can't be on 2004
or 2005 software, but you sure should not still be on release
14.
- Destination CAD has custom content that works. It is
solidly developed tool palettes and content that works. It
is AutoLISP functions that consistently work.
- Destination CAD is a learning environment.
It would schedule internal training and send people to things
like CAD Camp and AU and reseller training and online webcasts
and...
- Destination CAD pushes the envelope. It would encourage
experimentation (but no on production files). When new
people join the team you would ask them about the firm they came
from and how they did things. It would take good ideas
from any direction and put the best ones in practice.
- Destination CAD would have a large tool belt. By this
I mean that it would have a number of tools to get the job done.
Maybe multiple CAD platforms and Third party software.
Little utilities that get the job done.
- Destination CAD has ample support staff. The rule of
thumb I use is one hour of support for each user. So if
you have 40 users - you should have one full time support
person.
- Destination CAD values sharing. Users do not not hoard
information. It is shared among users and staff.
When a new trick is learned - it is passed on. When a
better method of production is developed it is applied to all
projects.