I am in the process of preparing training manuals for software training classes we are going to begin soon. The good news is we have years of experience with thousands of jobs under our belts, the bad news is we have too much information. I know you don’t care to learn how I wrote a script to translate and rotate those 48,000 points at the airport, but you better know how to draw points.

Software vendors are always improving their product, sometimes bigger and better really isn’t. Programmers write routines that do amazing things to your information, but you may not need it. There are a lot of software improvements that make a data job or takeoff easier, better and less expensive to our client. The big question is which functions to use when? In my mind that is where software training falls down and we excel. There are times when the one-click command works well, and others where the long slow manual way is actually better. The only way to find this out is by working daily with different types of jobs and realizing when to use a different approach. I got the gray hair to back up the learning curve.

Some people know mouse clicks, some know processes. Most of the software education for takeoffs and data focuses on mouse clicks. If all you have is a hammer, every problem will look like a nail. Given a tool box, a resourceful user will learn when to apply different commands for a particular situation. My biggest message in training users is to keep an open mind and look at the project from several angles before jumping in. Many times we will decide on 2 or 3 possible methods of work, and try them on smaller areas to see what yields the best result. These gyrations are not necessary for a small parking lot, but you will save yourself aggravation on a shopping center.

 As an example, let’s look at training for takeoffs using Carlson Takeoff, an AutoCAD or Intellicad based program. What does someone need to learn in order to proficient at doing takeoffs? Ideally you want to leave the class with the knowledge to perform accurate quantity takeoffs, but this is a lofty goal. What the expert really needs are a diverse set of skills enabling them to tackle different conditions, and most of all be confident in the end result. Regardless of the type of data being produced, takeoff or data, we need you to be confident when you say, “yes, it’s good”.

I’m sure we have all experienced the “training hangover”, that overwhelming feeling that you will never be able to retain this information and do a good job. In addition to that, we all experience the “training honeymoon”, where you get a few jobs under your belt and gain more proficiency and feel good about your work. When you don’t touch the software for 2 months because there is no need, you get back to the program and look at it like a stranger. Honeymoon over.

 I have thought about the best way to avoid these problems, and feel we have come up with a solution. Why not have help available for the quick question, or review of a recently completed job. This would make sure the rust is off your skills, be cheap, and most of all give you the confidence to say, “Yes, it’s good”. We are calling the service TOPS Data Check and are inviting class attendees to be a part of the group, this will help users to feel like they are not alone when it comes to important work like this.

Marco Cecal is the owner of Takeoff Professionals, a data prep service and data prep training facility. Marco contributes monthly to MachineControlOnline.com

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