This guide outlines a comprehensive, phased approach for a small to medium-sized AECO firm who wants to implement the Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC). Remember the goal is to minimize disruption to existing workflows by focusing on a structured, pilot-based rollout.

Let’s see what we have:

Phase 1: Planning and Preparation (Internal Team)

This phase is about laying the groundwork and establishing clear standards before touching any project files.

  1. Form a Core Implementation Team:
    • Assemble a team with representatives from management, IT, and each major discipline (e.g., architecture, civil, structural).
    • Designate a “BIM/CAD Manager” or “ACC Champion” to lead the effort, manage the platform, and serve as the main point of contact.
  2. Define and Standardize the Common Data Environment (CDE):
    • Establish a standardized folder structure for all projects on Autodesk Docs. This is crucial for consistency and is the most important step.
    • Create a naming convention for files and folders to ensure everyone follows the same rules.
    • Draft a firm-wide “ACC Manual” or best practices document that includes these standards.
  3. Create a Project Template:
    • Based on your standardized CDE, create an ACC project template. This template should include the pre-defined folder structure, permission levels for different roles (e.g., Project Manager, Junior Designer), and a list of key team members to be added to every new project.
    • This is the single most effective way to ensure consistency across all future projects.
  4. Evaluate Existing Data:
    • Perform an audit of your current on-premise servers to identify which projects are active and will need to be migrated.
    • Identify files that can be archived and left behind to avoid migrating unnecessary data.
  5. Secure firm-wide buy-in by clearly communicating the strategic benefits of ACC, such as improved collaboration, reduced errors, and greater project efficiency.

Phase 2: Pilot Projects and Testing

This phase is a controlled deployment designed to validate workflows, identify potential issues, and refine the implementation strategy in a low-risk environment.

  1. Select Pilot Projects:
    • Choose a new, small-to-medium-sized project to be the “ACC-only” pilot. Start the project directly on the platform from day one.
    • Choose one smaller, active, existing project to be a “migration pilot.” This will allow you to test your migration process for older files.
  2. Test Migration and Workflow:
    • For the migration pilot, use the DWG Migration for Docs Tool (or a similar method) to prepare your AutoCAD files. This includes repairing xref paths and converting them to relative paths. This is a crucial step to ensure that linked files, which are often stored on a local server, can be properly accessed and maintained in the cloud environment.
    • Upload all project files (DWG, RVT, PDFs, images) to the new ACC project.
    • Ensure all team members can access files using the Desktop Connector. Test that external references (xrefs) and Revit links function correctly.
  3. Gather Feedback:
    • Regularly meet with the pilot project teams to identify pain points and bugs.
    • Document the challenges and refine your standards and workflows as needed. Transform these documented challenges and solutions into a troubleshooting guide for the wider firm.

Phase 3: Training and Communication

This phase is about preparing the entire firm for the change and providing them with the necessary knowledge and tools.

  1. Leverage an Autodesk Reseller for Training:
    • Consider engaging a full-service Autodesk AEC reseller like Seiler Design Solutions. They can provide essential and advanced user training, as well as implementation and workflow consulting. This can be especially useful for creating a customized training outline that aligns with your company’s specific standards and needs.
  2. Develop a Training Curriculum:
    • Create a tailored training program based on the feedback from your pilot projects.
    • The training should be role-specific. For example, a project manager might need to learn about permissions and version control, while a designer needs to understand the Desktop Connector and how to work with Revit cloud models.
  3. Conduct Training Sessions:
    • Lead hands-on training sessions for all staff.
    • Provide the ACC Manual created in Phase 1 as a reference document.
    • Establish a clear support channel (e.g., a dedicated group chat or email address) for questions.

Phase 4: Full Firm Rollout

Once you have a refined process, it’s time to roll it out to the entire firm.

  1. Begin New Projects on ACC:
    • All new projects must be created using the ACC project template you developed.
    • The core implementation team should be available to assist with the setup of these first few projects.
  2. Systematically Migrate Existing Projects:
    • Implement a schedule to migrate all remaining active projects, following the process you perfected during the pilot phase.
    • Communicate the migration schedule clearly to project teams to avoid disruption.
  3. Continuous Improvement:
    • Regularly review project performance on ACC.
    • Keep your company standards and templates updated based on new features and firm needs.
    • Encourage teams to share best practices and success stories.