What are the most common quality assurance practices for CAD design in structural engineering?

1 CAD standards

One of the first steps to ensure quality in CAD design is to follow the CAD standards established by your organization, client, or industry. CAD standards are a set of rules and guidelines that define how to create, organize, and present CAD drawings and models. They may include specifications for layers, colors, fonts, symbols, dimensions, annotations, scales, units, formats, and more. By following CAD standards, you can improve the readability, clarity, and compatibility of your CAD design, and avoid errors, conflicts, and rework.

3 CAD documentation

A third quality assurance practice for CAD design is to maintain proper and complete CAD documentation for your project. CAD documentation is a record of the information, data, and decisions related to your CAD design, such as the design criteria, assumptions, calculations, references, sources, revisions, approvals, and feedback. CAD documentation can help you to track and justify your design choices, communicate and collaborate with other stakeholders, and demonstrate compliance with standards and codes. CAD documentation can be created and stored in various formats and platforms, such as text files, spreadsheets, databases, or cloud services.

4 CAD training

A fourth quality assurance practice for CAD design is to ensure that you and your team have adequate and updated CAD training. CAD training is a way of learning and improving your skills and knowledge in using CAD software and tools, and applying them to your specific structural engineering projects. CAD training can help you to master the features and functions of your CAD software, learn the best practices and tips for CAD design, and keep up with the latest trends and developments in CAD technology. CAD training can be delivered in various modes and methods, such as online courses, webinars, workshops, tutorials, or manuals.

5 CAD ethics

A fifth quality assurance practice for CAD design is to adhere to the ethical principles and codes of conduct for CAD design in structural engineering. CAD ethics are a set of values and norms that guide your behavior and decisions when creating, using, and sharing CAD drawings and models. They may include respecting the intellectual property rights of others, avoiding plagiarism and falsification of data, acknowledging the sources and contributions of others, protecting the confidentiality and privacy of your clients and projects, and ensuring the safety and sustainability of your design solutions. By following CAD ethics, you can enhance your credibility, reputation, and professionalism as a CAD designer.

6 CAD feedback

A sixth and final quality assurance practice for CAD design is to seek and provide constructive CAD feedback for your project. CAD feedback is a way of giving and receiving suggestions, comments, and critiques on your CAD design, and using them to improve your design quality and performance. CAD feedback can come from various sources and perspectives, such as your clients, colleagues, mentors, reviewers, or end-users. CAD feedback can also be given and received in various forms and channels, such as verbal, written, visual, or digital. By engaging in CAD feedback, you can learn from your mistakes, discover new ideas, and refine your design outcomes.