Transforming Document Control and Risk Mitigation at Chetwoods With Newforma

The AEC industry generates immense volumes of data, often scattered across multiple tools and systems; making their document control process a daily adventure to nail down. For firms like Chetwoods, managing this data efficiently while mitigating risks is critical to ensuring project success. In this video, Sagal Rooble, Digital Strategy Coordinator at Chetwoods, highlights how the firm transitioned to Newforma’s information management platform, reshaping how they handle project workflows, collaboration, and risk management.

Before implementing Newforma Project Center, Chetwoods faced challenges in their document control process due to fragmented workflows and difficulties in locating critical project data. With projects producing thousands of documents, emails, and models, the absence of a centralized system led to inefficiencies, communication gaps, and an increased risk of errors. The firm needed a solution to unify their data without disrupting existing processes—and Newforma proved to be the ideal fit.

Sagal provides an in-depth look at how Newforma’s features have transformed operations at Chetwoods, emphasizing its role in streamlining document control, improving collaboration, and ensuring compliance. If your firm struggles with similar challenges, this video offers valuable insights into how a robust platform like Newforma can be a game-changer.

Chetwoods’ experience highlights the transformative power of Newforma in tackling some of the most pressing challenges in the industry.

At the heart of Chetwoods’ transformation was Newforma’s document control capabilities. The platform centralizes all project-related data, from drawings and models to emails and transmittals. This eliminates the frustration of searching through countless folders or relying on multiple software tools.

The ability to filter and search for information within a single database has significantly improved efficiency. Tasks that once required input from multiple team members can now be completed in minutes, saving time and reducing errors.

Risk mitigation is another area where Newforma excels. For Chetwoods, managing and documenting communications across large project teams is crucial to avoiding disputes and ensuring accountability.

Newforma provides comprehensive audit trails for all project communications, including emails, drawings, and transmittals. This transparency safeguards the firm against potential legal claims by maintaining a clear record of agreements and changes.

Sagal recalls an instance where Newforma enabled her team to retrieve an email sent by a former colleague, a task that would have been nearly impossible without the platform. Such functionality not only saves time but also minimizes risks associated with lost or inaccessible information.

Additionally, Newforma’s features, like previewing emails before distribution and copying multiple stakeholders, ensure that all team members are informed, reducing the likelihood of errors or omissions during the construction process.

Newforma’s ability to integrate with existing workflows made the transition seamless for Chetwoods. Unlike other systems requiring an overhaul of processes, Newforma adapted to their needs, providing immediate value.

The platform has also fostered better collaboration across internal and external teams. Newforma’s document control and email management simplify information sharing, ensuring that all stakeholders have access to the most up-to-date documents and drawings.

Sagal emphasizes that Newforma has allowed Chetwoods to unsubscribe from redundant tools, consolidating their needs into one comprehensive solution. This has saved money while improving overall efficiency—a win-win for the firm.