Being Considered for the CAD Manager Position...

[wsargent]

I have been working with the same company for 5 years now. About two years ago the CAD manager was let go. I have been providing the user support and network support in the absence of a CAD Manager since his dismissal. After this length of time I approached management and asked that they consider re-creating the CAD management position and consider me for the promotion. I was asked to create a job description for a CAD management position and present it to my supervisor on Friday June 26th 2009. Currently I only have an outline, but wanted to get input from people that are actually in the position so I do not miss something big. Currently this is what I have:

CAD Manager Responsibilities:
1. Support CAD software.
1.1. Program management.
2. Support CAD hardware.
3. Provide user support.
3.1. Answer user questions.
3.2. Catalog user questions and feedback to training and procedures.
3.3. Determine root causes for user support needs.
4. Provide user training.
4.1. Identify areas that need training.
4.2. Create custom training.
4.3. Coordinate external training, resources, and providers.
4.4. Deliver training seminars.
5. Facilitate timely work completion.
5.1. Create tools, scripts, and templates to allow users to work faster/cheaper, maintaining user accuracy.
6. Prepare CAD related budgets.
6.1. Software cost analysis.
6.2. Hardware cost analysis (PC replacement, plotter replacement, plotter cost per use, etc.).
6.3. ROI analysis on task, standard, network changes.
7. Write and maintain division electronic standards.
7.1. Define CAD Standards (based on NCS).
7.2. Document CAD Standards.
7.3. Define Network Standards.
7.4. Document Network Standards.
7.5. Train users to follow standards.
7.6. Help those that deviate from standards understand and utilize them
8. Facilitate staff development.
9. Identify promising new technologies. Edited by: wsargent on Jun 22, 2009 9:48 PM
Changed outline format

[jmcintyre]

1.2 Liaise with software & hardware vendors

9.1 identify innovation
9.2 provide risk assesment and change management strategy to management
9.3 implement, monitor and report on innovation progress


10 Self advancement
10.1 Attend seminars
10.2 Attend training

good luck

[wsargent]

Thanks for the added insight. Self improvement is something that I am personally pursuing so I did not think to add it to the list.

What I was trying to get at with #9 was look at new software/hardware and evaluate if it is right for our company.

Example: I work at a civil engineering firm that specilises in the mining indistry. To do a post mining site plan using only AutoCAD would take from 20 to 50 hours depending on the township, county, and (site specific) state regulations. By adding Civil 3D to our program list we are now able to create a post mining plan in about 8 to 26 hours.

[Anonymous]

http://www.caddmanager.com/Management.html

[jmcintyre]

Yes, I assumed that was the case, but just identifying new software/hardware is but the first step in the process.
Next you normally have to produce a business case for management to consider. In that business case you would need to outline how to implement and manage the change. You would also need to measure the improvement for 2 reasons. 1 to let management know their investment was worthwhile and they can trust you. 2 is to show how much productivity you have added to the process and help justify that pay raise.
So if I were management writing a job description, this would be of importance.

[Anonymous]

How's about be involved in the process of interviewing, hiring, reviewing
and firing of staff?

Paul

wrote in message news:6206431@discussion.autodesk.com...
I have been working with the same company for 5 years now. About two years
ago the CAD manager was let go. I have been providing the user support and
network support in the absence of a CAD Manager since his dismissal. After
this length of time I approached management and asked that they consider
re-creating the CAD management position and consider me for the promotion. I
was asked to create a job description for a CAD management position and
present it to my supervisor on Friday June 26th 2009. Currently I only have
an outline, but wanted to get input from people that are actually in the
position so I do not miss something big. Currently this is what I have:

CAD Manager Responsibilities:
1. Support CAD software.
1.1. Program management.
2. Support CAD hardware.
3. Provide user support.
3.1. Answer user questions.
3.2. Catalog user questions and feedback to training and procedures.
3.3. Determine root causes for user support needs.
4. Provide user training.
4.1. Identify areas that need training.
4.2. Create custom training.
4.3. Coordinate external training, resources, and providers.
4.4. Deliver training seminars.
5. Facilitate timely work completion.
5.1. Create tools, scripts, and templates to allow users to work
faster/cheaper, maintaining user accuracy.
6. Prepare CAD related budgets.
6.1. Software cost analysis.
6.2. Hardware cost analysis (PC replacement, plotter replacement, plotter
cost per use, etc.).
6.3. ROI analysis on task, standard, network changes.
7. Write and maintain division electronic standards.
7.1. Define CAD Standards (based on NCS).
7.2. Document CAD Standards.
7.3. Define Network Standards.
7.4. Document Network Standards.
7.5. Train users to follow standards.
7.6. Help those that deviate from standards understand and utilize them
8. Facilitate staff development.
9. Identify promising new technologies.

Edited by: wsargent on Jun 22, 2009 9:48 PM
Changed outline format

[Anonymous]

... or at least Interviewing and Reviewing CAD staff as a minimum.

--
Dean Saadallah
http://LTisACAD.blogspot.com
--

[pcaruthers]

all of the above. However, you've got to have the "Authority" to go along with it. you have to be able to take corrective action. whether that means having someone stay late to fix and or bring something up to standard, or let them go.....

[djohnson1976]

What about data management? This is a HUGE part of my job. The data management category of your job description should include file storage methodology, indexing, searching, re-use, revision control, back-ups, etc. We use Vault (Workgroup) for this kind of stuff.

[wsargent]

Below is my working draft. I have to turn this into my supervisor tomorrow at lunch time. So any final suggestions would be appreciated.

Job Purpose:

Provide division support by keeping the existing software and hardware running, enabling users to function without worry and aid in making the division more profitable through management of CAD resources.

Duties:

• Support CAD software & hardware.


• o Program management.


• o Liaise with software vendors.


• Provide user support.


• o Answer user questions.


• o Catalog user questions and feedback for training and procedures.


• o Determine root causes for user support needs.


• Provide user training.


• o Identify areas that need training.


• o Create custom training.


• o Coordinate external training, resources, and providers.


• o Deliver training seminars.


• Facilitate timely work completion.


• o Create tools, scripts, and templates to allow users to work faster/cheaper, maintaining user accuracy.


• Prepare CAD related budgets.


• o Software cost analysis.


• o Hardware cost analysis (PC replacement, plotter replacement, plotter cost per use, etc.).


• o ROI analysis on task, standard, network changes.


• Write and maintain Engineering division electronic standards.


• o Define/maintain CAD Standards (based on NCS).


• o Document CAD Standards.


• o Train users to follow standards.


• o Help those that deviate from standards understand and utilize them.


• Data Management


• o Define/Maintain Network Standards.


• o Document Network Standards.


• Facilitate staff development and review.


• Identify promising new technologies.


• o Identify innovation.


• o Provide risk assessment and change management strategy to management


• o Implement, monitor and report on innovation progress.


• Self advancement (continuing education).


• o Attend seminars/training

Skills/Qualifications:

• Developing Budgets, Training/Coaching, Staffing, Project Management, Process Improvement, Tracking Budget Expenses, Self-Development, Planning, Performance Management


• General Programming Skills, Software Testing, Software Requirements, System Administration, Developing Standards.

[jmcintyre]

Good luck.
Just remember people skills are almost as important as technical ability. If staff feel you are there to help them you will be more successful than some 'dictators' I've seen doing the job. They are the ones at 'the coal face' earning the money, CAD/IT managers are there to support them.

[wsargent]

Wow, was this a lesson learned. My manager thanked me for all the work and reviewed the information I presented. About a week later they called me into the office and said the the position was not nessary and that I would continue with my current position, with a pay cut this year. Since then I have been given all the responsibilities of the CAD Manager in addition to all the responsibilities of a Designer with no athority to accomplish the Management part of the job. Life is fun...

[Anonymous]

Ouch.

I can't say it's totally unexpected, but, yeah, while they might
recognize your skills (great), they're going to get away with not paying
you for all of them for as long as they can (not so great).

Cheers!

Melanie Perry
***not all who wander are lost***
http://augi.com/autocad
http://mistressofthedorkness.blogspot.com

wsargent wrote:
> Wow, was this a lesson learned. My manager thanked me for all the work and reviewed the information I presented. About a week later they called me into the office and said the the position was not nessary and that I would continue with my current position, with a pay cut this year. Since then I have been given all the responsibilities of the CAD Manager in addition to all the responsibilities of a Designer with no athority to accomplish the Management part of the job. Life is fun...

[Anonymous]

Oh, yikes. So sorry to hear that. Do you have to track your time as to
whether you are working on a billable project or an unbillable task?

I almost hate to say it, but I recommend that you avoid all the items in
your original outline, except "3.1. Answer user questions" and "5.1.
Create tools..." but even keep the time spent on those as short as possible.

Honestly, the biggest dealbreaker was your statement of not being given
the authority to manage. This not only keeps you from managing the
users, it implies a severe lack of support from upper management. If I
were in your situation, I would create a form to be filled out by upper
management to approve "x" amount of time to be spent on "x" task for any
CAD Management responsibilities. Use this form whether it's a task you
see value in or something you are requested to do.

Not too long ago I let myself get into a similar situation, and because
of the lack of high-level buy-in it went badly for me.

wsargent wrote:
> Wow, was this a lesson learned. My manager thanked me for all the work and reviewed the information I presented. About a week later they called me into the office and said the the position was not nessary and that I would continue with my current position, with a pay cut this year. Since then I have been given all the responsibilities of the CAD Manager in addition to all the responsibilities of a Designer with no athority to accomplish the Management part of the job. Life is fun...

[Anonymous]

..and you just gave them a full description of responsibilities for the
management position.
Now they know what to look for when they hire for that position.



"wsargent" wrote in message news:6256306@discussion.autodesk.com...
> Wow, was this a lesson learned. My manager thanked me for all the work and
> reviewed the information I presented. About a week later they called me
> into the office and said the the position was not nessary and that I would
> continue with my current position, with a pay cut this year. Since then I
> have been given all the responsibilities of the CAD Manager in addition to
> all the responsibilities of a Designer with no athority to accomplish the
> Management part of the job. Life is fun...

[Anonymous]

You are employed, with time (and a paycheck) to look for a better position.
--
Dennis Jeffrey, Autodesk Inventor Certified Expert
Autodesk Manufacturing Implementation Certified Expert.
Instructor/Author/Sr. App Engr. Tel. (260) 399-6615
http://teknigroup.com

[jmcintyre]

I guess the problem is they see no need for the position, as you are doing the job already. In the current climate though, you would be (hopefully) the last to go.

[Anonymous]

Agree,
BTDT and today is my 3rd yr anniversary at a better place.

--
Murph
www.map3d.wordpress.com


"Dennis Jeffrey" wrote in message
news:6256548@discussion.autodesk.com...
You are employed, with time (and a paycheck) to look for a better position.
--
Dennis Jeffrey, Autodesk Inventor Certified Expert
Autodesk Manufacturing Implementation Certified Expert.
Instructor/Author/Sr. App Engr. Tel. (260) 399-6615
http://teknigroup.com

[Anonymous]

Getting the first gig as CAD Manager is damn hard, you've just managed it. The next job you go for will now be as a successful CAD Manager & you can expect the pay etc that that brings.

Its the way most of us got the gig to be honest, me included...

[wsargent]

I have to track my time by the 1/4 hour and bill directly to the job. Any "overhead" time is not allowed. So currently I bill user support to the project they are working on.

The form sounds like a good idea for situations where there is no job to carry the bill. Thanks for the suggestion.