Sub Phases? - D-Tools Forum

08-09-2007, 12:13 AM

Hello-
We have created a lot of (26+) phases. Would it be possible to create tiers of phases? For instance all rough oriented phases under the main rough phase? It creates to many phases now on client paperwork, but the individual phases are needed for installation etc. Or is there already a process we are not seeing?
Many thanks!
Bill Selee

Reed Phillips · 08-09-2007, 12:19 AM

I am curious about how you use Phases. What drove the need to create so many?

dharmonyav · 08-09-2007, 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by Reed Phillips

I am curious about how you use Phases. What drove the need to create so many?

Yes, I would like to hear that too.

**Kevin Mikelonis** · 08-09-2007, 01:42 AM

Originally Posted by Reed Phillips

I am curious about how you use Phases. What drove the need to create so many?

Wow!

There must be some new uses her that I am not aware of too!

Let's have a look!

08-09-2007, 03:52 AM

We have found it gave us a great way to schedule workflow. For instance, instead of having "Rough" We have initial rough,wire pull, post rough check and drywall prep. Items the client does not need to see, but gives a great way to create a work order for phases. Is this overkill? We have found it gives a little more phase guidance with the technicians in the field.Pleas give your input!
Hey Kevin, I am a serial lurker! I have been an avid user since v3...nice to see the forums growing!
Thanks
Bill Selee

Reed Phillips · 08-09-2007, 04:51 AM

So, how do you assign labor, mostly labor SKUs or mostly labor attached to equipment items? If both, what is the typical mix?

08-09-2007, 06:59 PM

I would say that most labor is applied per piece of equipment, foot of wire, etc. Programming is by hour, though. We have three different levels (phases)for programming as well. Any ideas to simplify? Please dont say fewer phases, HaHa!
Thanks!

David_Haddad · 08-09-2007, 08:17 PM

Bill,

In project management there is always a question of how fine you want to break down phase and task detail. I think having 26 tasks you want to track is good, but defining them as distinct phases is confusing and too much. I've seen the phases for huge commercial construction projects and even those usually don't have 26 phases. Ask yourself, is pre-drywall inspection really a phase? It is not! It is a task that belongs to a phase. Another way to ask yourself if something is a phase is how long does it take to complete? If it takes a couple of days it is not a phase.

So, here is the answer to your question. Define pre-drywall inspection and any other item that should not be a phase as a labor item and make the phase for that labor item rough-in. That way you can still make sure you deliver those items, but you don't need 26 phases. In a sense, this is what you were originally asking for. It's a way to create subphases. If you want, you could even create a category named subphases and apply all your labor items to that, since it appears you mainly need all these extra phases for labor items.

For instance, you could create category names sub-phases. Then create an labor item under that category and name it 'pre-drywall inspection' and assign it to the phase rough-in. You could even create a package with all the sub-phases you need and drag it into every project. For what its worth I'd actually call the category tasks since they are not really phases.

JordanC · 08-10-2007, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by Dwelltech

I would say that most labor is applied per piece of equipment, foot of wire, etc. Programming is by hour, though. We have three different levels (phases)for programming as well. Any ideas to simplify? Please dont say fewer phases, HaHa!
Thanks!

Bill - I think I can help in the programming area, and perhaps you could implement it for your other issues. I have created 4 different sku's named Audio Images - Large System Programming, Audio Images - Small Systems Programming, Audio Images - Network Programming, and Audio Images - Phone System Programming. We charge differently, per hour, based on what it is being programmed. For instance; a Panasonic Phone System. I will attach as an accessory the Phone System Programming sku (which is setup as a programming sku) and adjust the programming hours as estimated for the application. The programming sku needs to be set as Variable and have that type of programmings labor set accordingly to properly work. This also helps us track and properly cost the programming at a higher level than before. See the attached image for an example setup.

I also see that Xeven Zorza is one of your designers. A long time ago we outsourced a project for design and he was the designer. They are among some of the best designs I have seen and have learned alot from just that one set of plans.

08-10-2007, 01:47 PM

Thanks Guys!
David-
Excellent idea on the tasks.We export into MS Project and the phases can really help break things out. We have been playing around with exactly what you have been discussing. We will more than likely head in that direction. We like having the individual phases for work orders, it has helped alot! Again, Thanks!

Jordan-
Thanks for the help as well, we already do that to a certain extent. Yes we have worked with Xeven a lot! We do most of our floor plan and cabinet drawings in house, and Xeven works with us on schematics, or when we are just overloaded. Great guy, very knowledgeable and helpful.He has been a huge help!
Appreciate the quality help!

Bill