Getting the Best Out of Architectural Engineering CAD Services Firms

Overview

Architectural engineering CAD services firms, a product of the last decade, offer CAD services related to Building Engineering and Design. CAD, connectivity and dynamics of the economy have resulted in this specialization.

This Blog looks at maximizing the returns from hiring an Architectural Engineering CAD Services Firm.

 Given below are certain factors that contribute to getting the best out of Architectural engineering CAD services firms:

 Scope

The primary scope of such a service is documentation of Architectural and Engineering Designs. The benefit of all these services being available at one single firm is better coordination and faster turnaround. Since a firm offering Architectural Engineering CAD Services has a good technical background, it is common for the scope to be extended beyond mere drafting to coordination, design analysis and design interpretation.

 Measuring performance

Like any service, performance is measured by output. Here are all the aspects that we feel should be factored in when measuring the performance of an Architectural Engineering CAD Services Firm:

• Input provided
• Documentation and record
• Process adherence
• Scope adherence
• Meeting deadlines – interim and final
• Quality – error minimization
• Output files

These points are detailed in a separate Blog (Performance of Architectural engineering CAD services firms)

 Relationship management

Tasks or processes in the AEC Industry can rarely be completely given away or outsourced, especially in the design stage. This is because there is an intellectual exchange and a participation in thought processes. Hence there is also a learning curve wherein the client and the Service Provider achieve an understanding of each other’s wavelength. This ‘learning curve’ takes a considerable time and effort from the client’s side. It normally takes 3 months of continuous collaboration to reach a ‘comfort’ level. It also takes an average of 3 projects before the process of outsourcing to an Architectural Engineering CAD Services Firm becomes profitable to either.

In this context, it is in the client’s benefit to invest in relationship management with its Architectural Engineering CAD Services Firm. Conventionally, the 4 drivers of relationship are the 4Ts: Trust, Time, Touch and Talk.In the current context, this empirical principle has been expanded to specific recommendations in our ensuing Blog: Relationship Management in CAD Outsourcing Services

 Commercial viability

For any work relationship to survive in the long term, it must make commercial sense for both participants. These points help in assessing this aspect:

• Profit
• Cash flow
• Support cost
• Risk
• Regularity of work
• Predictability of work and payments

Extra Effort

Many a work relationship start their downhill journey with the word “That’s not my job”

On the converse side, a little extra gives that extra push to the relationship. Some examples:

• Extra resources free of charge
• Back-to-back commitments: mirroring client payments, bonuses, extensions, appreciation, etc. with the Service Provider
• Support in times of need by faster payments, etc.
• Letting off the hook (not always!)
• Free training
• The most important: referrals and recommendations

Hope some of these recommendations help the reader in maximizing their investment in Architectural CAD Services Firms.