You are correct that versions can be rolled back and generally speaking, it is not ideal to delete items in document control environments. However, we do not work in ideal conditions and there are still serious setbacks to simply rolling back a version than simply removing it.
The idea behind not deleting documentation is to prevent deception or fraud. Document control should be a fixed and predictable protocol. We understand this. The dilemma is that things happen and there are times when it is actually in the project's best interest to simply delete and reissue rather than explain to dozens of subcontractors, estimators, and the owner to ignore V5, V6, and V7 because and use V4 for A100, ignore V3, V4, and V5 of A101 and use V2, etc., because it uploaded multiple times by accident (see my earlier post). Why even have the documents up and available for all to see if it is just plain wrong? And what happens when new team members join? Am I supposed to educate them on the nuances and problems of the document control so they can actually use the feature? There is no value in this. Indeed, it makes things far worse. Why not just delete the non-value added drawings?
I have document control experience and construction administration experience, and I will not use this feature on projects until there is some remedy to fix erroneous issuances of drawings. There is no way I am going to have up on the screen all of these irrelevant documents, trying to figure out which version is the correct one for my overlays for instance. I can see the meeting now:
"Why didn't they pour the concrete stairs? I thought it was captured in this most recent ASI. Let's take a look at the drawings and see if the updates in the drawings were captured. Wait, what changed between V2 and V3 for this structural mild-reinforced plan? Oh, nothing. V3 must have been a duplicate upload. So then I'm comparing V3 against V1 then. OK, what about sheet S201? Oh, okay, looks like V3, V4, and V5 are the throw-away issuances. We'll do an overlay of V1 and V2." Am I supposed to have a log of which drawings are duplicates, and which are "good?" All of the drawings should be useful or provide some value as they currently stand. No one should have to introduce another layer of coordination with the drawings when it comes to document control. Projects are difficult as it is, and this added layer of coordination provides no value to clients.
It's quite simple: please provide the flexibility required with the drawings and allow the ability to delete versions. Projects needs this kind of flexibility.
