Standardizing circuit diagram documentation

Standardization

Efficient circuit diagram documentation in accordance with DIN EN 81346 for higher quality, reduced project planning times and increased competitiveness.

EFFICIENCY THROUGH STANDARDS

At Visuprojekt, the standardization of your circuit diagram documentation is at the heart of efficient electrical planning. Since 2005, we have been supporting companies in the implementation of structured processes in accordance with international standards such as DIN EN 81346 and DIN EN 61355. The professional application of the DIN EN 81346-2 code letters is a central component for consistent circuit diagram designation in accordance with the current standard. Our experienced specialists analyse your existing documentation, develop tailor-made standardization concepts and support you during implementation. With standardized circuit diagrams based on the modular principle, you not only significantly reduce your design effort, but also increase the quality and maintainability of your documentation. Benefit from our extensive experience for future-proof electrotechnical documentation.

Maik Kunzelmann

+49 80 31 - 23 57 483

sales@visuprojekt.de

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Frequently asked questions with answers about our standardization.

How does a standardization project with Visuprojekt typically work?

Our structured standardization process is divided into several phases: We start with a thorough analysis of your current electrical documentation and record your specific requirements, processes and objectives. On this basis, we develop a tailor-made standardization concept that defines the structure, presentation and designation system. In this concept, we take into account the circuit diagram designation standard DIN EN 81346 as well as complementary standards such as ISO DIN 1219 for a complete set of rules. We validate this concept together with you and adapt it if necessary. This is followed by step-by-step implementation, starting with pilot projects, which we support closely. At the same time, we provide your employees with comprehensive training in the application of the new standards. After successful implementation, we support you in continuous improvement and adaptation to new requirements. The entire process is geared towards sustainable results and is accompanied by experienced specialists who are proficient in both the technical and organizational aspects of standardization.

How long does it take to introduce standardized documentation?

The duration of a standardization project depends on various factors, including the scope and complexity of your systems, initial documentation situation and organizational framework conditions. Typically, the overall process takes 3-9 months. The initial analysis takes about 2-4 weeks, the concept development another 3-6 weeks. The subsequent pilot phase with the first projects typically takes 2-3 months. Important to know: We follow a modular approach in which the first standardization successes become visible after just a few weeks. This means that you do not have to wait for the entire project to be completed in order to benefit from improvements. For companies with a particularly urgent need, we also offer accelerated implementations, where we focus on the most important areas first and gradually follow up with full standardization.

To what extent does standardization restrict the individual processing of circuit diagrams?

Well-designed standardization does not restrict, but empowers. Our approach is based on the principle of standardizing recurring routine tasks to create more room for value-adding activities. We work with you to develop standards that offer sufficient flexibility for project-specific requirements. Modular concepts, parameterizable macros and defined exception rules allow us to make individual adjustments within a structured framework. Particularly important: we do not implement rigid regulations, but pragmatic guidelines that support the designer instead of restricting him. Experience shows that well-trained employees do not perceive standardization as a restriction, but rather as a valuable work aid that relieves them of repetitive tasks and allows them to concentrate on solving challenging problems. It's a bit like driving a car: Only the standardization of basic functions makes it possible to concentrate on the essentials.

What requirements must be met for successful standardization?

Some basic requirements are helpful for successful standardization, but no rigid conditions. Ideally you will already have a CAE system such as EPLAN Electric P8, although we can also support companies moving from other systems or even manual documentation. Basic knowledge of electrical engineering and the relevant standards within the team is an advantage, but can be supplemented by our training courses. The most important prerequisite is a willingness to change and support from management. Ideally, an internal contact person should be appointed to act as the person responsible for standardization. Existing documentation is helpful for the analysis, but not a must - we can also start "from scratch". If you are unsure whether your initial situation is suitable for standardization, we are happy to offer a non-binding initial consultation during which we can jointly assess your individual situation.

How much effort is required from our employees during standardization?

The effort for your employees during a standardization project is moderate and is more than compensated for by the subsequent efficiency gains. In the analysis phase, we need about 2-3 days of input from key people in your electrical design department. Concept coordination requires a further 1-2 days from selected decision-makers. The most intensive phase is the training and initial application, in which your team should invest 2-5 days depending on the scope. During implementation in pilot projects, we work closely with your designers, which takes about 10-20% of their working time for a period of 4-8 weeks. We deliberately plan the process so that regular operations can continue and no project bottlenecks occur. If internal resources are limited, we also offer the option of taking on more tasks and only requesting input from your team at defined milestones. Experience shows that the initial investment in time is already amortized in the first or second follow-up project.

How do we deal with existing documentation? Answer:

Existing documentation is a valuable resource that we carefully integrate into the standardization process. First, we analyze your existing circuit diagrams to identify proven solutions and forms of presentation that can be adopted in the new standards. For particularly important existing documentation, we develop migration paths that enable a gradual transfer to the standardized structure. For extensive legacy data, we use special conversion tools that support semi-automated migration. We recommend a pragmatic approach: not all old documentation needs to be converted immediately. Instead, we focus on active projects and important reference documentation, while older, rarely used documents can be migrated later if necessary. This phased approach minimizes the initial effort and maximizes the immediate benefits of standardization.

What are the long-term benefits of standardizing circuit diagrams?

The standardization of circuit diagrams offers you a number of long-term benefits that go far beyond the immediate time savings. Firstly, you create a solid basis for knowledge management and competence development that is independent of individual employees. The uniform DIN EN 81346-2 code letters and standardized circuit diagram designations make it much easier to train new employees. Secondly, standardized documentation enables significantly more flexible resource planning and cross-location collaboration. Thirdly, consistent structures simplify the integration of new technologies and adaptation to changed standard specifications. Fourthly, you sustainably reduce error costs along the entire value chain - from design and production to commissioning and service. Fifthly, you increase customer satisfaction through high-quality, easy-to-understand documentation. And last but not least, you create the prerequisites for further digitalization steps such as automatic generation of production data, digital twins or IoT integration. Standardization is therefore a strategic investment in the future viability of your electrical documentation with an impact on overall company efficiency.