Working digitally can mean information about a job is created once, kept where people can find it, and passed on in a form the next firm can use.
The word “digital” gets used for everything from a shared folder to a full 3D model of a building. The toolkit tries to use the plain definitions so we can help every firm, whatever its size or trade.
What digital looks like day to day
- Files, drawings, photos and accounts saved securely and searchable.
- Version control and a clear storage structure, so people can find current information.
- Information stored and shared in a format the next firm can open and rely on.
- Records of what was decided, moved or made, and when, kept throughout the work.
For example, a 2-person joinery firm that photographs its work, names the files sensibly and sends them to the main contractor in a form they can open is working digitally.
What digital is not
Digital is not a specific product to buy or a certificate to hold, and it is not reserved for large contractors on large jobs. Most firms already own the tools they need: a phone, a laptop and the software that came with them. This toolkit is to help you find the right balance of digital for your business.
Where the standards fit
Published standards and guidance exist for lots of digital activities, such as managing information, cyber security or sharing data. They are useful once a firm needs them, but can be overwhelming when they don’t. They are also written for specialists, and most have to be bought. The toolkit points to a standard when we believe it applies to you, and tries to explain in plain language what it asks for.
6 areas of a firm’s work
Digital reaches different parts of a firm at different speeds. Your Digital Profile first checks the basics are in place, such as connectivity and cyber security, then looks at 6 areas separately, from managing information to artificial intelligence (AI) and smart technologies.