setting cad management priorities - synergis technologies cad management priorities.pdf · setting...

Setting CAD Management PrioritiesRobert Green


Robert Green bio …

Mechanical engineer turned computer geekCAD user since 1985CAD manager since 1989Business owner since 1991CADENCE/Cadalyst author since 1998I feel your pain … believe me …


Today’s topics …

Save!Finding broken processesUsing standards to fix processesShortening training durationControlling project startupsAchieving continuous improvementGetting the boss’ supportOther odds and ends as we go

Let’s get to work …


Priority: Get Smart!

Think more.

Plan more.

Prioritize more.

Cut rework.

Always strive to improve.

Save Money.


Make it Work!Save!

There are no higher priories.


Save, save and save some more

Nobody ever got yelled at for savingSaving becomes the prioritizing yardstick Time = Money = SavingsAnything you do should save time or moneyView everything in this context …


Find Broken ProcessesThat’s where the waste is!


Think traffic jam to find broken processes

Where are the jams located?What do users continue to have problems with?What are your proposed fixes?How much could you save by removing these jams?Focus on removing these problems …


Write it down Now take a few minutes to capture as many time/money wasters as you can think of.

Think of possible solutions.

Prioritize in terms of:Scope of wasteEase of solutionMoney saved

Act accordingly


What did you find?

Better standardsMore trainingNeed faster computersBetter organization of librariesBetter file managementWhat did I miss …


Tally the waste

Lets say you cut plotting time in half with a new procedureOld plotting time was 100 man-hrs/monthNew would be 50 right?That means 600 hours a year savedAt $45/hour you’re saving $27,000 in plotting timeFix the biggest $ problems firstTake this to your performance review …


Use Standards to FixBroken processes have to be replaced with

something better and standard.


The cost saving power of standards

Standards create a consistent operating environmentConsistency allows for automation of tasksAutomation lowers errors and speeds task completionErrors that are made are more “standard” and therefore easier to resolveSpeed = Time = Money = Savings


Create a CAD Standards Culture …

Control the environmentSet the toneEnforce!


Standard installs

How can you standardize support if you don’t standardize your software installations?Standard installs create order and instill disciplineStandard installs make your job easierStandard installs lower the cost of software ownership …


Deploy a standards drive

Create a CAD drive for custom filesMap the drive as a letter if possible (UNC otherwise)Now create various folders off the drive and permit each folder accordingly.Give yourself, and trusted staff members, FULL control to the CAD driveControlling CAD centrally lowers support costs …


Control your key files

At minimum SUPPORT, HELP and PLOTTING folders should be centralizedRestrict access to Lisp and VBA filesStore copies of utilities, patches, etc under this drive as well (read only)Create a documentation directory for notes/documents (read only)Knowing where everything is lowers training costs and information retrieval costs …


Enforce to cement usage and save

Do random quality auditsConsider use BATCH STANDARDS CHECKER on DWG based files.Implement peer review so violators will be on alert from their co-workers.Get senior management on board with standards by illustrating that non-compliance COSTS …


Shorten Training SessionsMore focused training costs less and saves more.


Shorter training is better

Shorten training sessions to reduce overhead costsThink custom, and task specificTrain using your standardsTrain to fix processes (reduce errors)Better processes = savings


Targeting training

Target your training to achieve verifiable results.Think short and custom when creating and delivering training.Make training pay for itself.Lower labor costs via training Sell this approach to your boss (not your users) …


Train away the waste

Your training topics should be to demonstrate your cleaner/better procedures.Your training should use the standards you hope to enforce.Stress “faster” task completion to win users.Record your training sessions for reuse later.This way training pays for itself as it saves …


Start Projects Out RightYou’ll make fewer mistakes later thus saving

money throughout the project’s lifetime.


“Front load” CAD standards

Create new CAD elements and procedures BEFORE the project starts.Train users on startup procedures just before they start work on the project.Review problems from prior projects then make sure you don’t repeat those mistakes on new projects.Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance!


Always ImproveYou have to push to make things better


“We can do this better”

Look for ways to cut keystrokes and stepsCoach users to suggest better ways to do thingsUse a positive, inspiring tone to motivateAlways keep an eye on solving new problemsIf you don’t who will?


Think Like the BossWho else will write the checks?


Sell yourself to management

Show them how much you’re saving.Let them see how valuable you are.Ask them how you can better achieve cost saving goals.Make them see the cost saving potential.You’ll become invaluable if you take this approach …


In fact, just think more!

Thinking is free

Thinking gets results

All savings start with an idea.

Ask “Why?” and “Why not?” and let thought do the rest for you!


CAD-Manager.com/su pw = synergis

Robert [email protected]

setting cad management priorities - synergis technologies cad management priorities.pdf · setting...

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