Project Manager Revit Training

[jcoe]

I have been asked to put together training for project managers in our office who have Revit projects. I would like to poll for some thoughts as to how I should approach this and what topics I might need to cover. Keep in mind that these are people who typically would not be "producing" on a daily basis but might need to access the project to assist the project team during deadlines or to print views...

I would prefer to keep them out of the model altogether, but this decision comes from above.

Thanks

[mthurnauer]

I don't think having managers get into the model is a bad idea. I don't like the idea of anyone being afraid of the software. It is relatively easy to use and once they see that, they may be able on future projects to start doing massing studies, programming, etc. in the app. so that the team can develop what they may have started. One of the things I would keep in mind when presenting the application is to get them to understand it is a database and there are some things that you may want to document differently than you did pre-revit. I try and turn the, " We always do it this way." into "This is the best use of the information in the model."

[rodneyf]

Hey Jason,

One of the things I do when I do project manager training is to show them worksets and how to close the program when they are done looking around. I also stress that Revit is a database and just going into a view and deleting an object that they don't want in the view can be very damaging to the entire project. Hope that helps!

Cheers,

[mileto2000]

I think it's a great idea having the managers working in the models. Teach them how to open specifying worksets to open only the part of the model they need. Tell them how to make a new local file and the difference with the central. Teach the how to make schedules and how they can use them for QC. Have them engaged in using Keynotes, specially if you use a Condoc system tied to the Specs.

[bcgatti]

In addition to the warnings about deleting items, proper opening & closing procedures and other general "don't break the model" types of topics, here are some of the items that I covered during a couple of PM Revit training sessions that I did:


Introduction to Revit - General explanation of how Revit works
- Revit the Database
- Revit specific terminology
- Central Model/Worksharing Concept
- Detach from Central
Available View Types and View Relationships
Walkthrough of PM applicable items in the Revit User Interface
Basic overview of Revit's Tools and how they work
- Basic Modeling Tools
- Modification Tools
- Elements Properties Dialog Box
- Accessing Parameter Data
- Exporting from Revit
- Plotting / Printing
Working with Families
View and Information Organization in the Revit Model
Viewing Options / Commands
File Administration, General Process & Work Flow Specific ItemsI included the Revit modeling & modification tools overview and "Working with Families" (and a functionality demonstration using these tools) because it helped to give them an idea of Revit's capabilites and limitations.

Hope this helps.

Brett

[Alan aka cadalot]

This was covered at Autodesk University last year, you should be able to download the screencast, powerpoint etc. See SE118-2 RST for Engineering Managers

HTH

[jcoe]

Thanks for all the feedback. This gives me a great starting point to begin outlining my training class.

[ghale]

Here's my latest list, which is a 4 hr session (that's about all we can consistently get out of this group). The most important item here is management of the team. Due to limited time, PM's rarely get into the project file. There are more issues with making sure the project is staffed properly and that considerations are made at the beginning of the project to plan for the process, especially with multile disciplines, multiple architectural firms, or an inclusive construction manager and client.

PM Introduction to Revit
- Terminology
- User Interface
- Accessing Revit Files
- Printing
- Conceptual Design
- Modifying Floor Plans, Elevations, Sections
- Documentation
- Tags
- Text
- Dimensioning
- Creating Sheets
- Area Plans vs Room Areas
- Presenting model to client
- Managing Revit Team
- initial setup and planning is critical
- keeping small, stable teams
- keeping detail in context
- design first, develop second, document third

[jcoe]

PM Introduction to Revit
- Terminology
- User Interface
- Accessing Revit Files
- Printing
- Conceptual Design
- Modifying Floor Plans, Elevations, Sections
- Documentation
- Tags
- Text
- Dimensioning
- Creating Sheets
- Area Plans vs Room Areas
- Presenting model to client
- Managing Revit Team
- initial setup and planning is critical
- keeping small, stable teams
- keeping detail in context
- design first, develop second, document third

Greg,

Wow, This seems really aggressive for a 4 hour time slot but I do like your approach. Nice and systematic. A couple of questions though:


I find the conceptual design topic an interesting one to show PM's. Are you finding that PM's actively use this?
Is your training strictly a demonstration or do the PM's follow along with sample files?
Do you discuss/ use Design Review at all?

[ghale]

The session was a hands on presentation with a workstation for every 2 PM's. Conceptual design was a good topic because it gets the ball rolling in Revit from day one. PM's are more receptive when they know the conceptual workflow is beneficial.
I've discussed Design Review in other 1 hr sessions but get limited action using it. PM's are extremely hands-off these days with few exceptions. This training is more about getting them comfortable with basics and understanding the benefits then it is about actual usage and tools, but it is important to have some hand-on.
All of it leads up to "Managing the Revit Team" which is the most important part.

[Imwezal]

jcoe, here is the a pdf of the class I took @AU 2009 called Autodesk Revit for Project Managers. I hope this will give you some more insight.

[ghale]

I agree. These guys are two of the best. I read this class handout a while ago and will be implementing many of these concepts as well.

[bbebart]

A few other benefits regarding Project Managers getting into the model at crunch time or to simply print a drawing without asking someone else do it for them:

I previously worked for a very large firm where Project Managers did not draw and most did not even have AutoCAD licenses on their computers. I bucked that trend as a Project Manager and Technical Leader and did have an AutoCAD license and did a bit of drawing - mostly keynotes, minor editing and drawing notes. Fairly harmless stuff but productive and time effective.

As a manager I'll say that rooting around in the drawings or model tells you a vast amount about the people actually doing the production: Who is sloppy and who isn't. Who is using office standards and who is flaunting them (maybe the standards need to be updated or maybe they need to be better enforced), Are people filing things where they should be located? Who is creating mayhem in the model yet no one is complaining. Who is using all of Revit's tools efficiently and productively and who is shutting off their brain and drawing s l o w l y o n e i t e m a t a t i m e. Younger staff are often reluctant to rat out their inefficient colleagues and participating in production is a great way to discover the laggards.

Managers that don't draw, even just once in a while, are oblivious to all of this.

[nancy.mcclure]

When bringing your PMs up to speed on worksets, scheduling, etc - have them experiment on a DETACHED version of the project. They will gain confidence to try new tools and actions when they KNOW they can't screw it up. If they are not putting data in, and only working to get data out, this can be the SOP* approach.


*Standard Operating Procedure - revealing my veteran status! hah!

[Scott D Davis]

jcoe, here is the a pdf of the class I took @AU 2009 called Autodesk Revit for Project Managers. I hope this will give you some more insight.

Glad you found the class useful, and even happier that you feel enough value to pass along the info to others! Thank you.

[Scott D Davis]

I agree. These guys are two of the best. I read this class handout a while ago and will be implementing many of these concepts as well.

Thanks for the compliment! (sending check to ghale...:))