Continuous improvement

Source:
Victor Bradley and Thomas Riddle

Continuously improving your 3D CAD implementation is essential to maintaining relative productivity. Three primary areas for continuous improvement are Software, Hardware, and Liveware.

Software

3D CAD software is constantly evolving, with significant changes occurring every three to six months. Most vendor's marketing efforts include trade shows and local demonstrations of their software. These vendor sponsored shows are an excellent source of information concerning current software capabilities. Other excellent sources of information include independent analysts and other companies who have implemented current versions of particular 3D CAD products.

Hardware

The primary considerations for improving hardware are matching performance and configuration to 3D CAD software requirements, since the obsolescence of hardware is inevitable. Expect workstation and related hardware speeds and processing capabilities to advance significantly every six to ten months.

Liveware

Liveware is people, both designers and managers of 3D CAD software. Management support for the continuous improvement of the current 3D CAD implementation is essential to maintain productivity. A company's largest investment is in the training of the people who perform the actual work. This training can be the result of formal or informal efforts. The need for training and retraining of individuals working with computer software is a given requirement. Both management and designers should be involved in the continuous improvement of their 3D CAD implementation through the following activities related to education and communication:

• Attending formal update classes and seminars
• Attending conferences, presentations, and related trade shows
• Attending vendor sponsored user groups
• Participating regularly in internal 3D CAD software user groups
• Reviewing 3D CAD software related trade journals

Continuous improvement of your 3D CAD implementation is essential to maintaining productivity with a focus on optimization. Without this effort, a company may inadvertently automate inefficiencies.