Abstract:
The aim of this report was to determine to what extent architectural practices manage the operation of their CAD systems and how well their CAD system management compares to recommended
methods in this field. The research was conducted by face to face interview with a selection of practioners in the Wellington area who were known to be operating CAD systems. The results of the interviews indicate that there is a diverse range of management procedures that applied to the operation of CAD systems. These procedures show scope for improvement and no doubt this will occur as practices become more familiar with their systems.
The conclusions reached by this survey were:
a) The majority of practices are operating Autocad software.
b) The way management procedures had been implemented varied
with small practices often showing a very casual approach in
this area. All practices need to have a disciplined and
considered approach to how their system will be operated.
This will make future development far easier.
c) Practices, and in particular systems managers need to make
themselves more aware of what is recommended and what has
been shown to be successful in areas of systems management.
d) Selection of personnel and training procedures that have
been adopted by practices compare favourably with the
recommendations.
e) Few practices were found to be actively promoting the use of
their CAD systems. This is an area where careful
development could be undertaken.
f) The suggested model of CAD system management could be
questioned as to it's validity in application to small
architectural CAD installations. However if the recommended
management procedures are implemented then the system will
expand and uses will develop as they are required without
the need for major changes to the operational structure.
g) Time and money must be budgeted for development and training
purposes and a general familiarity with the capability of
the CAD system is required.
It is my opinion that partners and directors of
architectural practices need to make themselves fully aware of
what their CAD system can and cannot do and what they really want
it to do. Once pratice managers have clear and positive goals and
a disciplined CAD management procedure in place their staff will
be far more able to achieve the successes envisaged.