Tiếng ViệtWhen model data is constantly changing, the ability to manage information flexibly becomes an important part of project delivery.
In structural steel projects, a Tekla model is more than just a 3D model used for modeling and detailing. As a project develops, the model contains an increasing amount of information and is continuously updated to meet design, checking, and fabrication requirements. As a result, organizing, controlling, and making effective use of model data also becomes an important part of the workflow.
This is also a challenge NA PLAN VN has encountered while delivering structural steel projects, particularly projects for Japanese clients with high requirements for accuracy and schedule.
Through its experience with Tekla Structures, NA PLAN VN found that Organizer can provide strong support for day-to-day model management, even though it remains one of the tools that is often underutilized by users.
NA PLAN VN – A Specialist in Structural Steel Project Delivery for Japanese Projects
Established in April 2016, NA PLAN VN operates in the field of structural steel design and detailing using 3D CAD software.
With a focus on supporting modern Japanese architecture, NA PLAN VN provides services related to shop drawings, as-built drawings, and cost estimation for structural steel projects, with particular emphasis on accuracy and on-time delivery.
In September 2020, NA PLAN VN joined Minami Construction Steel Group, one of Japan’s structural steel fabrication groups. By combining NA PLAN VN’s experience and technical capabilities with Minami’s technology and manufacturing expertise, the partnership has created a strong foundation for the company to further develop its structural steel project delivery capabilities in Vietnam.
When working on Japanese projects, one of the key requirements is the ability to handle information accurately and adapt quickly to changes throughout the project delivery process.
This is also one of the reasons why data management in Tekla has become an increasingly important focus for NA PLAN VN.
From Reports and Excel to a Different Need: Managing Information Directly in the Model
When it comes to managing information in Tekla, users often think of Template Reports or solutions that connect data between Excel and Tekla.
Both are useful tools.
Reports are well suited for exporting data based on standardized and consistent templates. Meanwhile, connecting Excel with Tekla can provide more advanced possibilities for data processing and analysis.
However, in NA PLAN VN’s day-to-day work, information management needs do not always follow a fixed format.
There are situations where the team needs to:
- Quickly check a specific group of objects in the model.
- View data based on criteria that differ from existing reports.
- Group objects according to project-specific logic.
- Track information that is continuously changing.
- Check the model against requirements that arise during project delivery.
In these situations, creating or modifying a new report is not always the fastest approach.
This is where Organizer begins to demonstrate its value.
Organizer – Easy to Overlook at First, but Increasingly Valuable in Practice
Organizer is not a tool that creates an immediate visual impact.
It does not make the model look better in the way modeling tools do, nor does it produce a completed drawing like Drawing tools or an output data table like Reports.
For this reason, Organizer can sometimes be overlooked.
However, as the amount of data in the model increases, more people become involved in the project, and information control becomes more complex, the role of Organizer becomes increasingly clear.
Instead of viewing the model only from a geometric perspective, Organizer allows users to structure and interpret model data according to management logic that suits the needs of each project.
This is what makes Organizer particularly useful for NA PLAN VN.
Greater Flexibility as Project Information Continues to Change
For projects involving Japanese clients, information in the model can change frequently throughout the project delivery process.
These changes are not limited to the model itself. Requirements related to checking, reviewing, and managing information may also arise at different stages of the project.
In practice, not all of these requirements can be anticipated in advance and incorporated into a fixed template or reporting workflow.
Instead of having to continuously modify reports or establish a new data extraction process, Organizer allows users to work directly with model data and organize it according to specific project needs.
This gives NA PLAN VN an additional way to:
View → Group → Check → Track information directly within the Tekla environment.
In particular, when requirements change quickly, having more intuitive access to model data enables users to respond more effectively to new needs as they arise during the project.
One of the Challenges: The Initial Experience with Organizer
Despite its potential, Organizer does not always make a strong first impression.
Some users may initially feel that the data is not updating as expected, that the synchronization process is unclear, or that the displayed information is incomplete.
This is also one of the reasons why users may try Organizer briefly before returning to more familiar tools.
However, NA PLAN VN’s practical experience suggests that evaluating Organizer based only on the first few uses may not fully reflect the value of the tool.
Once users gain a better understanding of how Organizer structures and updates data, they can make more effective use of it in their day-to-day work.
Organizer is a tool that takes some time to become familiar with, but its value becomes much clearer when it is applied in real project environments.
Organizer Does Not Replace Reports or Excel – It Adds a Different Approach
One thing NA PLAN VN has found through practical use is that Organizer does not necessarily need to be viewed as a replacement for other data management tools.
Each tool serves a different purpose.
| Tool | Best Suited For |
|---|---|
| Template Report | Exporting data using standardized formats and consistent structures |
| Excel – Tekla | Processing, exchanging, and analyzing data outside Tekla |
| Organizer | Organizing, checking, and managing information directly within the model |
Therefore, rather than relying on a single tool, combining different tools according to their purpose can create a more effective data management workflow.
Within this workflow, Organizer serves as a flexible and visual information management layer directly within the model.
The Greatest Value: Adapting to Real-World Project Needs
For NA PLAN VN, the value of Organizer does not only lie in replacing an existing workflow.
Its value lies in its ability to adapt to situations that the existing workflow was not originally designed to handle.
In a project environment where changes occur frequently, the ability to quickly view the model from a different perspective, group data according to new criteria, or check newly emerging layers of information gives users greater flexibility and control in their work.
This is particularly valuable for structural steel project delivery, where models are continuously updated and data is becoming an increasingly important part of coordination, checking, and fabrication processes.
A Lesson from NA PLAN VN: Do Not Overlook Less-Prominent Tools
Through its experience with Tekla, NA PLAN VN has found that not every useful tool delivers an obvious benefit from the first few uses.
Organizer is a good example.
It is not intended to completely replace Reports or Excel. Instead, Organizer provides a different approach: managing and making use of data directly within the model in a more flexible and visual way.
This capability can become particularly valuable in projects where data changes frequently and new information management requirements continue to arise throughout the project.
For NA PLAN VN, gaining a deeper understanding of the tools already available within Tekla not only helps improve model management but also opens up more opportunities to optimize the overall project delivery workflow.
About NA PLAN VN
With the goal of becoming one of Vietnam’s leading structural steel project delivery companies, NA PLAN VN continues to strengthen its technical capabilities based on its experience in Japanese projects, combined with the technology and manufacturing expertise of Minami Construction Steel Group.
By integrating technology into its design and project delivery processes, NA PLAN VN aims to deliver highly accurate results that meet quality and schedule requirements, while contributing to the connection between people and spaces through sustainable structural steel projects.
KONIA – Supporting Businesses in Getting More Value from Tekla Structures
Beyond providing software, KONIA supports businesses through training, consulting, and workflow optimization for Tekla Structures, helping users make better use of the tools and capabilities already available within the platform.
Are you using Tekla but not yet taking full advantage of its model management tools? Contact KONIA to find the right solution for your company’s workflow.
Konia Software Solutions
