The AEC Workflow - Adobe Acrobat and PDF for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction - page 8

A Paper-based AEC Workflow
For purposes of discussion, we are presenting two different workflow diagrams in this chapter, both
developed by Adobe Systems.
Adobe has developed a highly simplified, but very true diagram of a paper-based AEC workflow
(Figure 2.1). Everywhere you see an airplane, mail truck, or fax machine in the figure, you can also add a
dollar ($) sign. The cost is not only in the actual costs of producing the printed pages and moving the paper
- much of the cost is in the time invested in the distribution of the paper.
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Figure 2.1 A complex, paper-based workflow
Project Scoping
Let us take a look at the workflow in detail. A project starts with an idea from the Owner/Operator/
Developer. Either the project initiator prepares a scoping document identifying their needs, or the task is
assigned to the Architect/Design Consultant (A/DC). The needs and constraints of the owner must be
detailed in a format that the A/DC can use for generating design parameters. Producing a working
document may require multiple iterations, and a lot of paper is moved during project scoping.