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Plan Numbering Best Practice

Revised October 21, 2008

The following Best Practice was provided by Dave Bell of BuildTopia. To share your best practices visit our user forum @ http://groups.google.com/group/buildtopia

Why Number your Plans?

With the increased importance of maintaining multiple copies of Plan Types by Version – several builders have asked for suggestions on assigning a meaningful Version Number System.

How do I do that?

I recall, in a prior life that all of our Architectural Plans were assigned a Set Number. This was a 7 digit code resembling the structure of a phone number. It was a numbering system that seemed easy for the mind to remember – this was back in the days before you had to dial the Area Code for local calls. A typical Set Number would appear as:

• 4M3-2343

In this example, the 2nd digit “M” was the Plan Type – and the Marketing Name had to begin with the letter M. Frequently it was marketed as the Madison in one Community and as the Monroe in a 2nd Community – but the Set Number communicated a clear and concise description of the Base Plan to all – Sales, Production and the Trade Partners

Marketing Names never appeared on Architectural Plans. Each set of Plans bore the Set Number only – as assigned by our Architect based on our Set Number structure.

In fact, I’m sure that many of your Architects are already working with Set Numbers (or equivalent) and may be a good source for developing a Set Number structure that is more meaningful for you company.

The following are 2 Versions of the same M Plan Type

• 3M2-1331
• 4M3-2343

Can you readily identify the Set Number that was used in a more economical Community?

Can you readily identify the Set Number that was used in a more upscale Community?