Using Autodesk Build for Innovation and Adaptation

Autodesk Build optimizes construction projects by combining the field collaboration tools of PlanGrid with robust project management capabilities.

In a recent Applied Software webinar, Mark Petrucci explained the history of PlanGrid and how its easy-to-use features were merged into BIM 360 Build to result in Autodesk Build.

PlanGrid and BIM 360 Build are still separate products. If you are a PlanGrid user, you can still use it, and it will be very similar to what’s available in Autodesk Build.

Autodesk Construction Cloud has four main products that are interconnected with each other:

1. Autodesk Docs
2. BIM Collaborate and BIM Collaborate Pro
3. Autodesk Takeoff
4. Autodesk Build

---

Learn more about Autodesk Construction Cloud in the free Applied Software eBook: The Importance of a Common Data Environment.

---

Following are some of the features of Autodesk Build that will help you develop a culture of innovation on your projects.

Bridge allows you to take project files and Build Sheets and sync them to another company’s Autodesk Build project. To use Bridge, select files in Autodesk Docs or Build Sheets, choose “Share with another project.” With Autodesk Docs files, anything in the Files section is static. When you make changes, you will need to share files again. Be mindful of the need for coordination with the other company to be sure destination folders do not change; that could result in unintended multiple models.

Build Sheets can be configured to have synchronization capability. If you update versions after sharing, it automatically updates on the shared file/model.

Meetings enables you to create project meeting agendas and minutes. You can create a Zoom or Teams online meeting and automatically send out invites. Meeting agenda items that remain open from one meeting are automatically included on a future agenda. After minutes of a meeting are developed, the meeting is locked so no further changes can be made to the proceedings.

Progress Tracking is a feature that is still in beta testing. If you want to try it out, you can get permission from Autodesk to activate it on a project by project basis.

Schedules improves on the old way of tracking schedules using a PDF of a Gantt chart. With the Schedules module, you can import a schedule that is generated outside Build (for example MS Project or Primavera P6). You can suggest changes to the schedule, but changes will not be made until the outside program edits the schedule.

Assets originated as “equipment tracking.” Your assets can be organized by categories, and each item has a lot of information that can be stored in the asset. It includes the option of adding bar codes and QR codes to your assets. These can be used to update the asset’s status (for instance, from ordered to received to delivered). If there are issues with assets, they can be created and assigned to someone to fix. All activity around an asset is tracked as it takes place.

Reports can be created for issue details and summaries, RFI details and summaries, the number of submittals, submittal item detail, status or summary. You can schedule reports to be sent out on a regular basis to anyone who needs one, for instance a report of their issues that remain open.

Insight has a dashboard that is completely configurable using a built-in card library. It can be set up with charts to reflect what you want to keep track of, for instance active vs. closed issues. The Insight module also has an artificial intelligence feature that can track risk and alert you about the level of a particular risk – like safety – on a daily basis. Your dashboard can be copied for use on other projects or shared with other people.

---