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You’re STILL the CAD Manager…what next?

You’re STILL the CAD Manager…what next?. Shawn Foster Corporate Engineering / CADD Applications Manager The HNTB Companies. The following opinions are just that… OPINIONS Doesn’t mean they are right… Doesn’t mean they are wrong…

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You’re STILL the CAD Manager…what next?

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  1. You’re STILL the CAD Manager…what next? Shawn Foster Corporate Engineering / CADD Applications Manager The HNTB Companies

  2. The following opinions are just that… OPINIONS Doesn’t mean they are right… Doesn’t mean they are wrong… • These may not apply 100% to you, but you may use the time to verify what you are doing • You may be doing something totally different. Disclaimer

  3. Determine why you are there Determine what your vision is for the usage of CAD in your firm/agency Determine how to get there Review from last time

  4. A CAD Manager exists to ensure that the design / production staff performs their duties the most cost effective and efficient way possible. Through • Investment • Standards • Training • Management buy-in Why are you there? Keep the eye on the prize, and looking forward

  5. Create and manage an environment for the most efficient and profitable use of technology. (Remember…we are a FOR PROFIT business) ROI vs. ROT (Return on Time) Vision

  6. Investment in processes • Research and Development • To get to an efficient environment, you need to go find it • You need a budget (time and money) to do so • Incubate • Grow • Deploy Investment

  7. Investment in yourself • Read, read and read • Trade magazines • Industry magazines • Anything for fun (don’t be all work) • Know your CAD Software • Management training • Sit in on application training • Stop in on update training (it’s changed, you know) • Network • BE Conference • Local User Group • Local Industry group (ASCE, DBIA, etc) Investment

  8. Investment in yourself • Technical Writing • You need to write reviews, articles, etc. • Take a grammar class • Budget and Project Mgt. training • You need to be articulate to your management staff • Coming to the table with good budget numbers and format will go a long way • Treat projects like projects! Metrics, schedules, a Project Mgt tool (MSPROJECT), the whole works • Consider PMI training • Vacation / Life • Get out • Don’t let it take over • Learn to say “NO” Investment

  9. Office Standards • Ownership from the user level • If the user base is involved in creating the standards, they will be more likely to following them • Creating an environment where they “own” the standards goes a long way • My opinion: You don’t own the standards…the client does. That client could be an internal client. • You provide the framework to help them follow those standards • The end user needs to keep up Why are you there - Standards

  10. $812.50 / day * 5 days * 50 weeks = $203,125 annual svgs. • Assume 25 users in a firm • CAD Standards saves 30 minutes per user per day • Assume $65 / hour for a CAD Operator Billable Rate • 25 users * 30 minutes per day = 750 minutes = 12.5 hours per day • 12.5 hours * $65 = $812.50 / day ROI on CAD Standards Why are you there - Standards

  11. IT costs / Computer costs • We’re assuming that the CAD Manager is not the IT Manager • Work with the IT Manager • Keep the IT Manager abreast of new software purchases / upgrades • Keep the IT Manager abreast of what the new software will require • Have a copy of the computer swap-out schedule What didn’t I cover

  12. Learn how to sell • Learn how to learn • Learn how YOU learn • Learn to go back in time • Learn to get help • Learn to say “no” What next?

  13. Crossing the Chasm, by Geoffrey Moore Learn to Sell

  14. Why should I learn to sell? I’m a manager…what does this have to do with me? Learn to Sell • EVERYTHING! • You’re a technology leader: you ‘sell’ every day: • Philosophies • Technologies • Workflows

  15. Moore’s model Technology Adoption Life Cycle • Early majority wants good references • Early adopters don’t necessarily make good references • Too much focus on early success, not enough on getting the pragmatists across ‘ the chasm’

  16. Target the point of attack • Assemble the invasion force • Define the battle • Launch the invasion • D-Day Approach Reach the beach!

  17. Target the point of attack • Understand your office • What’s their compelling reason to…? • Assemble the invasion force • Show “The whole picture” • Product, support, challenges, everything • Define the battle • Create the competition • “if we don’t do this…” • Launch the invasion • What’s in it for the pragmatist • Tangible = $$ • Non-Tangible = good will D-Day

  18. Learn the personalities of the people of your firm, and how the implementation of technology relates to them Learn what drives the decision makers If you want to really get high ROI from a new technology, get on the left hand side of the Chasm If you have pragmatists in your firm, D-Day them! What to do?

  19. Get out of your comfort zone • You get professional development • You always get your technical training • What about non-technical? • Leadership training • Management classes Learn how to learn

  20. Myers Briggs Type Indicator Learn how YOU learn Understanding characteristics unique to each personality type provides insight on how they influence an individual’s way of communicating and interacting with others

  21. Get back to work! (kind of) Learn how to go back in time If you are a full time CAD manager, you may be too disconnected from the process Get on a job for a bit, and get back into production Reconnect with the people you work for and with At worst, go do a ‘project’ - benchmark

  22. Smart people need help, too • We all know that you can do the job • Part of your job is determining what to outsource and what not to • Feed the fisherman, or teach him to fish? • Best of both • Outsourcing provides the ability for you to maximize your time • Outsourcing doesn’t necessarily mean outside your company Learn to get help

  23. Burn out is common in our field • We normally don’t have a career path • Unless you lateral • But that’s how you got here in the first place • Difficult to give reviews Learn to say ‘NO’

  24. In a perfect world, a CAD Manager is 100% Overhead • Your salary is paid for by the efficient management of the technology used by the design staff • The end users ROI is your ROT Final thought Final Thought

  25. Discussion

  26. How’d we do?

  27. Thanks! Shawn Foster Corporate Engineering / CADD Applications Manager The HNTB Companies sfoster@hntb.com

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