KS Library Topics - Assessing Revit Architecture Skills

KnowledgeSmart skills assessment software helps firms of architects and engineers to measure software capability.

We have created an extensive range of assessments, covering the most popular design, engineering and BIM software titles, used by firms working in the global construction industry.

Assessments cover a range of popular vendors, including: Autodesk, Bentley Systems, Adobe, McNeel, Trimble and Graphisoft.

We work with a global network of world class authors. They are subject matter experts, published, thought leaders and working as consultants to industry, so they understand the practical application of the tools, as well as the menus and mouse-clicks. Popular KS authors include: CASE Inc, Chris Senior, Darryl McClelland, Eric Chappell, Envision CAD, Evolve, John Evans, Josh Modglin, Joel Harris, Paul Aubin, Paul Woddy, Revit Factory, Robert Manna, Scott Moyse, Scott Onstott, Tony Tedder, Thomas Weir and White Frog.

For our most popular assessments, we tend to create a variety of different modules, covering a range of different levels and abilities.

The current number one topic in our library is Autodesk Revit Architecture.  Here is a brief list of assessments available in our 'RAC Bundle'.  All of the following titles are available, as part of a KS Professional 1 license:

Revit Architecture for occasional users
Revit Architecture fundamentals
Revit Architecture – Xpress
Revit Architecture for Interiors
Revit Architecture advanced
Revit Content Creation
Revit Project Process
Revit Architecture – Extra qu's 1
Revit Architecture – Extra qu's 2
KS Community – Revit Architecture (White Frog)
KS Community – Revit Process & Workflow
KS Community – BIM Management (NB this one is software neutral, but included in the bundle)

So how does it all work?  In simple terms, it is a web based, practical test of knowledge and ability, so users will need access to a copy of the software, for which they are being assessed. They are presented with a series of task based and knowledge based questions, entering answers into the KS browser screen. At the end, a summary report with detailed feedback and coaching notes can be displayed to the user.  KS system administrators can access detailed reports, highlighting results, benchmark statistics and training recommendations.

Let's take a look at an actual example of our Revit Architecture fundamentals assessment, in this short video:

KS customers have full editorial control over all KS library material, so they are ultimately in the driving seat, as far as the material that is presented to their teams goes. And they have the option of writing custom question from scratch, using the KS authoring tools, if they want to capture knowledge on in-house work flows, standards and processes.

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Testing Revit Architecture Skills - A 3-Step Approach

Revit Architecture is the most popular test title in the KS library. No big surprise. So let's take a look at how an AEC firm might create an appropriate testing environment for Revit Architecture, catering for users of all levels of experience and abilities.

Firstly, it's important to establish that not all users need to become Revit 'experts'. Many people have a primary role which means they come into contact with Revit on an occasional basis, but no more than that. So, do they need to become adept in the finer points of massing, curtain walls and Family editing? Certainly not! For example, PM's, Project Architects, Practice Principals, and so on.  However, in many instances, these people can benefit from a degree of knowledge and familiarity with the technology, not least from a project planning or resourcing perspective.  So some basic knowledge of the tools can be beneficial.

For these individuals, we have created a 'Level 1' assessment, called 'Revit Architecture for occasional users'. As the name suggests, it is a fairly gentle, introductory level test, which looks at some basic concepts, including:  Files & File Formats, Navigation, Views & Sheets, Measuring, Exporting Data, Families and Element Selection.

The fact is, casual users of Revit software sometimes make silly mistakes, mainly through lack of understanding, thus creating work for more experienced users tasked with tidying up their mess. This is a common complaint from design firms and one which is easily avoided.  Simply put, no-one gets access to a license of Revit, without first achieving a minimum 'pass' mark on the Revit occasional test (level to be determined by individual firms). Don't give someone the keys to the car, without first establishing they have a basic understanding of how to drive.

For the primary modeling team, we have the 'Level 2', or 'Revit fundamentals' level material. This is a general level test, covering a wider range of topics, including: Basic Element Creation, Views & Sheets, Detailing, Keynoting & Annotation, Worksharing, Dimensions & Rules, Interoperability, Families & Parts, Scheduling, Coordinates & Orientation and Outputs.

This level of test material can be used to create reliable benchmark data for the firm, compared to industry average statistics. Performance 'quartiles' (see image below) are an effective way of targeting users with incremental productivity improvements over time, with the appropriate modular training workshops addressing highlighted skills gaps.

For users placing in upper quartile 3 or quartile 4, we have a variety of modules which are designed to address more advanced Revit concepts. The 'Level 3' material covers more process based scenarios and looks at the impact of using the software in a project environment. Topics such as Revit Families, Work flows, Project process and Worksharing are covered in greater detail. 

In addition to test modules about Revit software, we have written some general questions about BIM and BIM management. So firms can create assessments which cover technology and also the wider Building Information Modeling environment, within which the software is deployed.

By targeting users with material appropriate for their job function, and also their current level of ability, AEC firms can now create more meaningful benchmark data, plan a more focused training strategy and adopt a stepped approach to measuring Revit and BIM knowledge across their teams.

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So what is an 'advanced' Revit assessment?

We've had some interesting discussions with customers in recent weeks, about what type of topics should be covered in an 'advanced' Revit Architecture assessment.

Ace KS Author, Paul Aubin, has been collating the feedback, in his efforts to create a harder test, for those experienced users, who have cruised through the 'fundamentals' level material.

But is it as straightforward as just throwing a handful of tough questions in the pot?  Well, judging by the comments from a variety of experienced users and Revit-savvy firms, the answer is, 'not really'!

One of the key points where several users disagree is on the general skillsets to be covered by an advanced test.  Our brief for Paul is quite simple; write a pool of harder Revit questions!  However, some of the feedback has branched out into the realm of broader BIM concepts, the modeling process and/or wider construction process knowledge.

My opinion is that this is perfectly valid feedback, but, as Paul points out in an interesting discussion thread over on LinkedIn, that's not relevant to this particular assignment.

So what kinds of answers have we received from KS users, on the most important parts to include in an advanced question set?

Here are some of the best replies:

Comments from a BIM leader at a large UK Design firm:

These are the issues we come across on a regular basis:

• Resetting Shared Coordinates (when they go wrong – which they do!)
• Use of Copy Monitor & Limitations
• Use of Phasing & Limitations
• Managing Project / Shared Parameters
• Wall / Window / Door layer clean-ups
• Managing who draws / owns cross discipline elements such as Ceilings / Slabs / Stairs


Comments from a mid-sized Design firm in Aus/NZ region: 

The questions we would like to see are:

• Types of schedules
• Getting a schedule to display per sheet, i.e. Keynote and Revisions
• Revit server theory
• Links, Worksets and Shared Coordinates
• DWFx Export and linking DWFx markups into Revit
• Setting up Revisions, and rolling them back (archiving etc.)
• Reference plane naming (simple but essential)
• Family behaviour (e.g. line based, face based, etc.)
• Visibility troubleshooting
• Visual editing tools e.g. linework tool, cut profile tool, paint and split face – all essential in retaining model data as opposed to 2D overlay.
• Calculated values and conditional formatting in schedules
• Editing a wall parameters before placement (setting constraints etc.)
• Predefining wall sweeps in the wall type
• Soffits
• Door schedule with room parameters (To Room , From Room)


Notes from a BIM leadership meeting at a large AEC firm, based in N. America:

• More advanced ways to control the top condition of walls (for example, using a reference plane to control a top condition at a curved wall)
• A user can’t modify an element – what are potential reasons they can’t? (Constraints, locked, on a design option, etc.)
• Worksharing
• Copy/Monitor – common warnings
• Advanced manipulations of walls – variable thickness of layers, extension distances, etc.
• Layered assemblies and core relationships
• Shared coordinates
• Families – nesting/shared nesting and the implications
• Families – reporting parameters
• Project Parameters and Shared Parameters
• Key Schedules, Tags and Schedules
• Adaptive components (families), parts and assemblies


BIM leadership meeting feedback at a large International Design firm:

• Family topics such as:
o Nested Families
o Shared Parameters
o Adaptive Components
o Lighting
o Hosting behaviours
o Materials

• The new Stair Tool

• Materials

• Collaborative tools like:
o Shared Coordinates
o Copy/Monitor
o Clash Detection
o Survey/Base Points
o Project/True North

• Roofs/Crickets

• Curtain Wall Construction (Interior and Exterior)
o Horizontal CW’s
o CW’s driving by massing
o CW corners
o Paneling Theory


Specific feedback on a particular Revit issue:

There was one issue that stumped me for a little while earlier this week until I found it…How do you make a floor or a ramp with a variable thickness to the base rather than a constant thickness? The answer is that you need to edit the structure of the floor and tick variable thickness. Pretty simple but not everyone uses it!


Other comments:

I would add new railings and stairs features, I would also add complex form making using the massing tools. This area is a black art, but a suitable area where knowledge needs to grow.

Some of the new features of 2013. For example, materials – how do you change the emissivity of an asset?

Setting up materials is a job I always see as half done. Often the Name and the Graphics tab are paid attention to and some of the identity data however more often than not the Appearance tab isn’t visited, and the material class is rarely set. Some questions about setting up material appearances would be useful.

So, as you can see, quite a mixed bag of issues, which affect firms who are using the software from day to day, on live projects.  Lots of common areas, too.

We'll keep you posted as the first set of questions nears completion.  I have a feeling that we will split this set into two or three parts, in order to cover all of the necessary ground, in sufficient detail.

We'll also put a call out for beta testers in a month or so, to give us a preliminary round of comments, prior to release into the live KS library.

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