File Naming / Managing Plans With Shared Users

[RobUSMC]

I have a few people that may work on a plan to get it ready for presentation.   I or one of my other designers may work on the as built along with the new proposed floor plan. I have a cabinet specialist that will take the empty floorplan layout and specify all cabinetry and usually one other to do lighting plan based on client selections, tile designs, material take offs, accessorizing, etc.  Obviously no two people can be working on the same plan at a time. How would one recommend naming plans that can bounce between a few people to ensure the newest user is truly working in the latest plan.  Of course good communications between staff but you cant always depend on that 100%.  Any others that have multiple designers that may work on the same plan throughout a day or week?

[javatom]

Never change the name of the plan or layout files.  You save the most recently worked on version of these files in a new folder.  In the folder name, you add the date and initials of who last work on it.  Something like this    SMITH PROJECT 011223 RM. 

[TeaTime]

3 minutes ago, javatom said:

Never change the name of the plan or layout files.  You save the most recently worked on version of these files in a new folder.  In the folder name, you add the date and initials of who last work on it.  Something like this    SMITH PROJECT 011223 RM. 

This is my preferred method as well - .plan and .layout should never change, least you derive some strange pleasure in re-linking plan/layouts when they invariably break.

[RobUSMC]

Thanks.   Good idea

[RobUSMC]

We discussed options today and something came up that seems to always be the case.  We make it a rule not to change the file names of plan files but how often do we all have clients that want to see so many different options... Painted versus stained, tub / no tub, cabinets to the ceiling or not and on and on. When I was the only one in the office that worked in the designs it was fairly easy to keep track of each plan but now with 3-4 potential people that may have a hand in the files How can you get away not having multiple plan file names for the painted versus stained and so on?  We currently have a project that the client can not make up her mind on so many items. We have 5 different tile designs just for one of the six baths we are remodeling. I have had two different designers working on the same plan at the same time making changes and not knowing another designer was doing tother work but didn't realize it until they tried to save and file locking prevented them from saving their work so thy have to give that plan a new name.  It would be nice if someoene was in a plan no one else could open that plan or it be a read only or some sort of notification that the plan is currently in use.  Venting a bit here but just looking for more suggestions for a solution.  Even with good office communications there will always be the human factor that will come into play and bite you.