Errors in specifications and drawings. A complex process of changing the design
The primary source of errors in documentation stems from manual work. The distinction between automated and manual information preparation is crucial. Automated preparation is executed by a program, and if there’s an error in the program, it will consistently reproduce the same error under identical circumstances, making it relatively easy to detect and correct. On the other hand, humans are inherently variable systems, with their performance influenced by factors like mood, fatigue, and health. One day, a person may work flawlessly, while the next day, mistakes may occur. Whenever human involvement is required in any part of the documentation process, the likelihood of errors immediately increases.
Consequences of Errors
Two main consequences emerge from errors in documentation. First, it incurs costs to identify and rectify these errors. The later an error is detected, the more expensive it becomes to rectify. The cost of correction escalates exponentially. If the error is in the model, it consumes the designer’s time to rectify the model. If identified in the documentation, it demands time to pinpoint, correct, and regenerate the documentation. When errors are only discovered during production, it signifies mistakes, material wastage, and wasted shop floor time. If detected after furniture delivery to the customer, it results in customer issues, damage to reputation, and expensive logistical challenges. For instance, a European company serving luxury brand chains with customers in South America might go to great lengths to resolve property-related issues promptly to safeguard its reputation, even if it involves chartering a plane to address the problem expediently.
Another adverse consequence is that error identification and rectification consume valuable time, the scarcest resource of all. Instead of advancing to the next order, designers (and others involved) must allocate time to locate and rectify errors.
Woodwork not only automatically generates a parts list from the designed model but also produces various informative cross-sections essential for different functional units within the company, including the bill of materials, parts list, product procurement list, and cut list, among others. In total, more than 10 distinct reports are available.
Thanks to customizable templates, Woodwork’s reports can conform to the specific format of each company, aligning with established documentation practices. In other words, Woodwork’s documentation adapts to the company’s needs, reducing errors that often arise from the necessity of adjusting reports and drawings to various formats.
