User manual

Table Of Contents

See also:

Viewers and Markups (page 241)

Downloading External References (page 214)

Send Options Dialog Box (page 427)

Collaborative Work Environment

There are a myriad of project tracking tools that allow you to streamline project

processes throughout design and building cycles. You can publish drawings,

solicit and collect feedback, and track all revisions and file histories and follow

all project-related activities.

To make sure the exchange of information goes smoothly and to achieve your

project goals it's a good idea to establish some basic team communication

guidelines. Sharing project files and working collaboratively is most effective

if you decide how you want to work together as an extended team, set up the

ground rules, and then let all project members know the rules right from the

start. Here are some suggestions to consider as you set up project

communication guidelines:

■ If you want to work with a locked file, be sure to check with the person

who originally locked the file before you download the same locked file

to your local computer. That way, the person who originally locked the

file can let you know if it's OK for the file to be unlocked and that it's being

worked on. The person can also direct other team members not to work

with the same locked file while it's in use.

NOTE You must have Administrator or Edit permission to lock and unlock files.

■ Use the Discussion feature to let others know that you are downloading a

file for editing or to communicate about folders and files in general.

■ After you make changes to your version of the file, upload it to your site.

Then send an email or attach a discussion item to let others know about

the changes.

■ Assign one person primary responsibility for keeping edited files organized,

named, and backed up to a local computer.