Software Presentations

SIA completely customizes the Software Presentation option to your company's specific needs.  Meetings happen; there is no getting around it. Design standards, organizational structure, management changes, client changes, projects beginning/progressing/ending, etc. are all reasons to conduct a presentation on change or hold a meeting. These affect all members of the team, as well as many other members of the company as a whole.  

Software usage and implementation transform in the same way that the company changes over its life. Softwarem modifications have a ripple effect on different teams and alter the project’s budgets and timelines. Many different people have influence over project budgets and timelines and it is very important for all of these team members to be on the same page, have the same information and execute as a team.  Meetings/presentations important team members a chance to exchange information concerning projects.

Although there are certainly more than these reasons to have a presentation or a meeting, these are three main reasons

1. Concentrate Attention on Specific Subject

Gathering like-minded CAD Operators for a meeting is very beneficial and draws attention to specific CAD Operation issues.  These complex programs lead to many different types of errors.  Often, team members do not understand the importance of their function and they are unfamiliar with data-intensive software programs.  Presentations are important to re-emphasize key design principles and to reiterate important pre- and post-requisites for efficient CAD operation.  Important reasons to have CAD Operator-specific presentations are highlighted below.

2. Provide Information & Accountability to CAD Operators

Upper Management is interested in production and in the efficiency of programs, as related to project costs and to the bottom line.  Vague reasons given for the incorrect use of the program or for why people “just don't seem to understand" can quickly ware on a good manager.  Data-intensive programs are simple and complex at the same time.  All team members are accountable for important CAD-specific information, this ensures that everyone is learning and contributing.  Presentations ensure informational and procedural accountability for CAD Operators. The graphic below illustrates information that management often expects CAD Operators to own in a project. 

Below is a graphic illustrating some common information that management might expect CAD Operators to be responsible for in their project, or their specific portion of the project. 

3. Encourage CAD Operator Input for Projects/Information.

As dependence on software continues to grow, it is increasingly important for companies to ensure that they obtain input from team members that use CAD programs daily, and that they incorporate this information into schedule- and timeline-specific documents/requirements for the client.  Occasionally, management becomes disconnected from what is happening "on the ground" concerning software use and implementation.  This phenomenon has been described as the "Management Bubble."  Some managers and even some top-level lead designers transition their responsibility management of others, and in the process also become less knowledgeable about the software.  Some managers do not understand the limitations, constraints and capabilities of the programs that they manage.  This is the natural progression of business careers; a good manager has broad experience of the company and the team. Even though this problem cannot be solved entirely, awareness and focus should be applied to all members of the team to mitigate its effects.  Feedback from CAD Operators includes:.