No matter the size and purpose of your project, if you are planning to install technology systems, the best place to start is with technology systems design development. Depending on the size of your planned technology your solution development can have a few or many stages.
When designing your own home or premises system by contracting a professional technology company to do it for you, it’s important to start with the conceptual design. A conceptual system design will help you to plan out the scope of work, budget, and time it will take to achieve your goal.
What Is technology systems design?
System design is a detailed schematic drawing that offers a general overview of your system’s key parts and the project’s basic features. The schematic drawings should show the arrangement and connections of all parts and equipment required by the system and the project site elements such as distances and topography.
Even in a complex system, a visual layout provides a way to communicate system information in a simplified and understandable manner, especially for non-technical persons.
System schematic design should be the first phase of any technology project. This phase includes system design development, project cost estimates, bidding, project documents, and project administration.
System design enables you to determine if your technology concept meets your requirements and fits within your budget. With system design drawings you can discuss, check and edit your technology features with your team and technology installer before moving to the next phase of your installation.
If you engage your trusted system installer early, which is highly recommended, they can work with your architectural and engineering team to help you incorporate your technology systems into the architectural plan.
What Is the purpose of technology systems design? Is it important?
1. See the end-results upfront
The system design drawings allow you to visualize the final results of your ideal system upfront in its initial form.
2. Help your project go flawless
The system design project phase can help you throughout your project. If your architect incorporates your technology system design in the building’s schematic site plans before construction, they can map out technology placements in your building and create necessary provisions.
3. Decide on a completely integrated system
If you plan on having more than one system installed in your building, schematic diagrams can help indicate the relationships so your system integrators can find the connections between your system features to combine them into a seamlessly integrated system.
4. Allocate technology budget
If you are starting a project you will want to know the budget you need for full and successful completion of your project without underestimating cost and timeline. If you a contractor making a bid, this is an important process as it helps you get the cost of all elements of the project so you don’t underquote.
What should be included in your systems design?
Schematics should show the complete description and locations of all building system elements. It should indicate the types and placement of the technology systems and support systems such as power sources.
Schematic designs are the most effective way to communicate the final system layout to the owner. Detailed designs could include additional information like special features or specific aspects and elements of interior design.
Work with your team
Work with your architect and installer to determine how technology will fit and be incorporated into the main layout of your home, work, or commercial space.
Determine the goal of the project
The professional installer and your architecture can only help you implement your goal. You will first need to know the kind of systems and results you want to achieve.
Determine the size of the project
Work with your technology installer and architect to determine the scale of your system and how it will fit into your project.
Determine system compliance
Some building technologies like fire systems require their elements and features to have adequate building code compliance. Your team can advise on suitable systems.
Refine the design options
Your installer can refine and rework the system design until you are satisfied and ready to approve the scope and deliverables.
Have them in the overall architectural design
Once you approve the system design, have it incorporated into the construction documents before moving to the next stage of the construction phase?
Don’t shelf your system design
Your building’s architectural design may change during construction. Make sure your builder makes you aware of any alterations in architectural design so your installer can update the system design accordingly.
Conclusion
System design is the phase that connects the gaps between your goal and the required steps in a manageable way. The system design phase focus on the solution through the question “How to implement?”. It addresses the specific outputs and helps identify the resources needed to achieve them effectively and efficiently.
