Q & A With Josh Menk on How Drawboard is Changing Project Delivery

After learning of our successes with utilizing their software, the folks at Drawboard (DB) sat down with Josh Menk, Delivery Systems and Innovation Manager at Arion, to chat more about Drawboard Projects and the impact the software is having on project delivery at Arion.

DB: So Josh, can you give me some backstory on the specific problem your project teams encountered prior to Drawboard’s implementation?

Josh: Sure. Multi-discipline “Squad Checks” – review of engineering drawings involving different engineering disciplines - are traditionally done on large master prints located in a central area of a traditional engineering office. Most project team members typically have a copy of the master set on their desk that they mark up with changes, and then transfer those marks to the master set when they are able. Because these updates occur sporadically, there usually exists a delay between when one project team member knows about a change and when that change reaches the masters. Additionally, no one has a full picture of the changes made by others occurring to the master on their static, personal desk copy.

DB: So what happened when your project teams moved to 100% work-from-home in light of the pandemic?

Josh: The paper-based squad check method was a problem before COVID-19, but became impossible after COVID-19. The need for a change was clear from day one at home and our current digital mark-up tools were just not cutting it.

DB: So how did Drawboard play a role in addressing this problem ?

Josh: Drawboard Projects is a collaborative, web-based mark-up tool available to anyone with a browser, smart phone, or tablet. The platform has allowed us to re-establish the central master drawings in a virtual environment and helped us create a work process that updates everyone in real-time. Now, instead of running around with their own out-of-date copies, everyone can reference the single, master Drawboard drawing and view each other’s marks as they happen.

DB: That sounds great! Are there any other advantages Drawboard provides in supporting your project execution and delivery workflows?

Josh: Absolutely. The software has solved more problems than multi-discipline review. The drawings can be downloaded to any device, worked on offline, and then re-synced to the master copy. We’re now able to extend our common digital workspace to remote field locations disconnected from WIFI. This is a game changer for how we conduct site visits and collect data in the field. Site engineers and designers will be able to load their mark-ups as soon as they get back to the field trailer or hotel instead of waiting to incorporate them the following week back at the office.

DB: Are there any other ways you have seen Drawboard improving team collaboration?

Josh: Drawboard also has issue-tracking and discussion features on every drawing. These features allow us to better communicate changes as they happen on a project and track design problems to resolution by bringing all stakeholders together with the information they need to keep the project moving forward.

For more information on how Drawboard has impacted our projects for the better – and how the improvements have benefitted our clients as well – contact Josh Menk via the button below!