multi-phase workflow

[Anonymous]

In civil engineering (at least in Illinois), work is divided into three
phases, Phase I, II, and III.

Phase I = preliminary investigation, feasibility studies, etc. 'Broadbrush'
painting. Make a lot of exhibits with aerial photography, traditionally not
a very detailed survey is available at this stage, though more and more it's
being done earlier. Data comes from a variety of sources. Public hearings
to determine choice of alternate scenarios.

Phase II = Choice has been made. Contract documents. The nitty-gritty.

Phase III = Construction.

Our firm provides all three services. Sometimes, a Phase I project that we
complete turns into a Phase II job for us, but just as often it goes to
another consultant. Ditto for Phase II to Phase III. We even occassionally
get the whole shebang.

So, CAD concerns vary between these three departments. In fact, I would say
that it would be inappropriate to hold the three departments to the same CAD
standards.

My question, or topic of discussion, is:
How do others handle the passing of a project from one phase to another?
How do you handle the fact that the precision requirements increase greatly
from Phase I to Phase II?
How much of your drawings get transferred? Is there any data reformatting
required? Is there any loss?
Any tips? Traps?

Fishing for new, better ideas, as always.

Thanks for any comments.
Adam Wuellner
Civiltech Engineering, Inc.

[Anonymous]

In exhibit design (at least here) we have three (basic)phases as well -
Schematic Design, Design Development and then Construction Documents. And
we do not always get all three phases either.

This is a huge topic and typically very specific to the organization. But
my philosophy in a nutshell:

I agree that holding three departments to the same _exact_ set of standards
is unreasonable. However there should be a core set of standards that
everyone adheres to. Text styles, basic layering, layer and file naming
conventions, etc. The choices may be different, but the methodology should
remain constant. If you can get to this point, then passing from one phase
to another is greatly simplfied. Phase I has laid a solid foundation and
Phase II understands how they got there. As far as the increase in
precision - IMO this is one of the "traps" to watch out for. It is
important that in addition to the "project goals", the "cad goals" of the
early phase be planned out and communicated. How you develop Phase I
impacts Phase II, obviously. How much of the drawings gets transferred is
something that needs to be determined during the "cad planning" of Phase I.
Once you identify areas (items) that would be of benefit to Phase II, you
can develop your Phase I approach to those areas to that end.

IHMO, too often (regardless of industry) projects are compartmentalized in
to "Phases". We work on Phase I, get it done and out - met the deadline,
met the budget, great! Then we dump the pile on Phase II's doorstep, ring
the bell, and run. Phase II is then left to sort out what it all means,
often starting from near scratch using Phase I documentation for reference
only. When in fact, when it comes to the flow of information there really
are no "phases" there's just "the project" - start, flow, finish, archive.
There are a few check points along the way (that you might call Phase I,
Phase II, etc.) where the current state of information is evaluated, and
some information is held up and some moves on.

Thanks, you're too kind, we'll be here all week, enjoy your salads...

"Adam Wuellner" wrote in message
news:E982495C973DD54023B18BCB496E2F26@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> In civil engineering (at least in Illinois), work is divided into three
> phases, Phase I, II, and III.
>
> Phase I = preliminary investigation, feasibility studies, etc.
'Broadbrush'
> painting. Make a lot of exhibits with aerial photography, traditionally
not
> a very detailed survey is available at this stage, though more and more
it's
> being done earlier. Data comes from a variety of sources. Public
hearings
> to determine choice of alternate scenarios.
>
> Phase II = Choice has been made. Contract documents. The nitty-gritty.
>
> Phase III = Construction.
>
> Our firm provides all three services. Sometimes, a Phase I project that
we
> complete turns into a Phase II job for us, but just as often it goes to
> another consultant. Ditto for Phase II to Phase III. We even
occassionally
> get the whole shebang.
>
> So, CAD concerns vary between these three departments. In fact, I would
say
> that it would be inappropriate to hold the three departments to the same
CAD
> standards.
>
> My question, or topic of discussion, is:
> How do others handle the passing of a project from one phase to another?
> How do you handle the fact that the precision requirements increase
greatly
> from Phase I to Phase II?
> How much of your drawings get transferred? Is there any data reformatting
> required? Is there any loss?
> Any tips? Traps?
>
> Fishing for new, better ideas, as always.
>
> Thanks for any comments.
> Adam Wuellner
> Civiltech Engineering, Inc.
>
>