Location, Location, Location: 50 Models, 50 Contributors, 20 Companies, 5 Buildings, and 1 Site

I'll be presenting at Autodesk University 2011 in Las Vegas. We'll be discussing the management of large multi-file, multi-building, multi-team projects. (LF5038 At the Design Leadership Forum before Autodesk University, on Monday, November 28th 2011 in Marcello 4504 at 1:00 PM-2:00 PM)
Class Description:
Location can become a big issue in an Autodesk® Revit® project. How do we collaborate between multiple offices? How do we exchange data, coordinate building position, link models, and keep the chaos away when everyone is working in multiple companies, locations, platforms, and units? We will look at lessons learned, and the management tools and techniques used to settle issues of model linking, central file sharing, shared coordinate systems, Revit Server, and model content.

• Audience Level of Expertise:
• Intermediate
• Target Audience:
• Autodesk Revit users and BIM managers, and collaborators on large projects in any software
• Track
• Leadership Forum

Key Learning Objectives:

• Plan model contributions for multiple offices to collaborate successfully on a multi-firm project.
• Describe how Revit Server can function within a multi-location company to help share models.
• Explain how the shared locations and other file formats are affected by the use of Revit Server.
• List the capabilities of Revit Server and Autodesk Project Bluestreak Mobile to aid with inter-company communication.

Autodesk University 2010

Finally, I'm getting around to posting the post-session class materials from AU 2010. Unfortunately, I can no longer contact attendees throught the AU event system, so I hope that posting here will help any one who still cares to find a copy.

I've also put the notes (http://www.scribd.com/doc/51534772) and Slides (http://www.scribd.com/doc/51534765) on Scribd.

RE-thinking your Firm Into Revit: The Transition to BIM takes more than software.

I'll be presenting an Unconference at AU 2010 in Las Vegas. We'll be discussing the management task of changing a practice from traditional drawing delivery to BIM-Based design in a 1 hr. Unconference.
Class Description:
BIM as a technology and process is radically different from traditional design practice. Are you going to try to press your traditional practice into the BIM mold? If we're going to re-organize design to utilize BIM, then lets Re-Think the way we approach and manage design. When does engineering work start on a facility? Why do your staff sit where they do? How do you evaluate computer hardware purchases? What has worked and not worked in your practice to leverage the tools that BIM provides in order to produce better and/or more profitable projects? How do you train your users? How do you measure their abilities? Do you continue to use drawings? How and Why? What radical change to the design process can you imagine that will make use of the technology and tools now available to us as designers? Speak out and learn from others!
Key Learning Objectives
After attending this class, you will be able to:

• Identify key differences in the way information is gathered and communicated when using BIM


• Evaluate the way team and process organization are shaped by the format of the design medium.


• List potential techniques and pitfalls discussed by industry compatriots wh're working on the same transition.

Feedback
So, Start the discussion now. If you are, or would attend this class, what would you like to hear about the most? What elements of transitioning to BIM are difficult or mysterious? What have you tried in your firm that has succeeded or failed? Post your feedback here and let's discuss!

Watch your license usage

For better or worse, nearly all Autodesk programs use Macrovision's FlexLM licensing system.
Sam Report is ok, but if you want to really watch usage, Here's a tool that provides a graphical interface.

FLEXlm License Statistics 2.3

Wall Panelization for Revit Structure

This is really nice looking! - : A Metal and Wood Framing module for Revit. Great features, includes built-in QTO, and even CNC output for framing fabrication.

How 'Revit-Committed' is your company?

How do you measure how BIM-Oriented a company is? How committed they are to BIM? Are they really taking advantage of/benefiting from using BIM?

• What is the ratio of design employees to Revit seats available in your company?
• What percentage of your projects are completed in Revit?
• What percentage of those projects are 100% Revit? No other CAD drafting involved?
• Do you require all projects to be completed in Revit?
• What is the average size of a project in square feet?
• And the average size of a project team in people/square foot?
  
• What percent of your workforce has received dedicated training in Revit?
• Do you see the necessity and/or benefits of IDP (Integrated Design Processes) in your firm?
  
• Do you see the necessity and/or benefits of IPD (Integrated Project Delivery)in your firm?
• Do you use or have you used the AIA Contract exhibit AIA E202-2008?
• Do you require BIM Deliverables from your consultants?
  
• If so, Do you issue your model as a construction document?
• Do you have a library of custom Revit Content?
• How many families?
  
• Do you deploy the plugins for Revit?
• Do you have any plugins of your own?
• Do your CAD standards reflect the use of Revit?
• Do you have integrated specifications through Revit via an application like eSpecs?
• What about Cost Estimation, like US Cost?
• Do you deliver contract documents in DWF format?
• How? via the web? Project Portal? Newforma/Buzzsaw/Projectwise/Sharepoint etc?
• Have you ever looked at downstream FM solutions that plug into Revit?
• Do you charge for renderings?
• Do you charge for animations?
• What percent of projects has a 3D computer rendering provided in the deliverables?
• What percent of projects has a 3D computer animation provided as part of the deliverables?