Deep Dive Session 3 - Preparation

In the deep dive session 3, we will be working on building out your model.  This will include adding work orders, building the model workflow, and adding billing items to your model work orders.  We encourage you to review models again prior to the Deep Dive Session 3.

Step 1: Models

Models are templates of work orders and billing items that can be reused to create budgets, estimates, and projects. You define the scheduled number of days for each work order, allowing the system to automatically generate a project schedule when the model is applied to a project. While projects created from a model can still be modified as needed, using a model streamlines the process and ensures that nothing is overlooked.

Whether you are a custom home builder or a spec home builder, models save time and prevent omissions by capturing the common elements across builds. Starting each estimate, budget, or project from a model is a best practice for using the software, promoting consistency, efficiency, and accuracy throughout the project.

Learn how to create and maintain models here:

• Creating a New Model 
• Updating an Existing Model
• Deleting an Existing Model
• Copying a Existing Model
• Adding a Work Order to a Model
• Deleting a Work Order from a Model
• Adding a Model Variation to a Model
• Working with Model Workflows
• Adding a Model Work Order Restriction
• Updating a Model Work Order Restriction

Step 2: Project Options

Project options allow you to group together work orders and billing items.  Once a project option has been created it can be applied to a project on an as needed basis or attached to a change order. 

Learn more about Project Options here:   

• Creating a New Project Option
• Updating an Existing Project Option
• Deleting an Existing Project Option
• Adding a Project Option to a Project

Step 3: Model Variations vs Project Options

• Model Variations are used when a change impacts multiple work orders across different classifications and is typically known at the beginning of the project. For example, whether a home is built on a basement or a slab foundation. These variations are built into the model itself, so when a model is applied to a project, the associated work is scheduled automatically.

• Project Options, on the other hand, are used for smaller, more isolated additions made after the project has started or for customizations that don’t significantly affect the overall structure. For instance, adding a bay window would be considered a project option. Since these options are independent of the model, users must manually set the scheduled start dates for the associated work orders when adding them to the project.