3 TIPS: DRIVING VALUE WITH DOCUMENT CONTROL
TIP #2: INVEST IN CONSTRUCTION-FOCUSED DOCUMENT CONTROL
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TIP #2: INVEST IN CONSTRUCTION-FOCUSED DOCUMENT CONTROL
Specialized document control solutions built with capital construction in mind have features and an overall architecture that reflect the ins and outs of the modern construction processes. Construction-focused solutions automate tagging, consolidate assets, reduce rework, and improve the auditing process in a way that not only aligns with how projects get done but integrates with the industry's existing legacy systems and applications.
"We can standardize our document control processes because we have an application like InEight that we have built into our standard operating procedure," explains Orion's Chris Perrin, "but we're still able to take advantage of some of those legacy applications that our folks and stakeholders are comfortable with." For example, by integrating with tools like Outlook and SharePoint, teams can transform their existing workflows while still meeting the needs of users.
“With InEight Document, your internal process becomes the star. You don't have to mold yourself to another piece of software. The software will mold itself to your process. It's just so important that you understand your process. Tools can change. It's just a tool. But, having a strong set of standards and processes as a company and following those, that's top for me. And this tool, InEight Document, is very flexible and allows that process to be the star.”
-Michelle Orizzonte, Corporate Document Control Manager, Graham
By choosing a specialized solution, teams have greater control over the detailed practices of document control. Most general solutions provide a rigid set of parameters for each project. Specialized solutions give document controllers and other project managers the flexibility to adapt each template and workflow to the needs of each opportunity.
Beyond flexibility, specialized solutions offer a level of visibility unparalleled by more generic tools. At any point, teams can see who has marked up a document, seen a deliverable, or is next in line for approval. "Managing [a document] through InEight Document lets us know exactly where it's at in that workflow and ensure that we're working on the current version or that somebody's not reviewing a document that somebody else has already marked up," explains Perrin. "We're not creating confusion and chaos within our process. We can ensure that documents get pushed through that workflow and aren’t just sitting on somebody's desk because we can see where that ball landed.