When juggling multiple projects with tight deadlines, it can be tough to reflect on past work. Whether you’re riding a wave of success or prefer to forget previous frustrations, reviewing your older projects can be incredibly valuable. It’s a good idea to maintain consistent access to your past work and, if possible, keep copies in a personal archive for future reference. It may first seem to be an excuse to collect documents that will sit and collect dust, but by providing some examples of the value added, we hope that it proves to be an asset. Here is why keeping copies of old work can be advantageous.
1) Proven Designs can Work Again
Each project will need its own procedure based on its specific conditions, but it’s common to find similarities among some different projects, especially those that take on projects within a specifically designated scope. For example, if you are in a concrete design department specifying in commercial driveways, then there are only so many variations of driveways that you will see. Even if each one has slight changes, you will find common design principles used among all past projects. Many of these aspects can be copied over into other projects within the same designed scope, and is in fact encouraged to be copied if something has been designed a certain way. It saves on costs, and less time is spent on designing something that has already been designed a certain way. It goes by the old saying “do not reinvent the wheel.”
2) Building a Strong Foundation for Procedures
Although designs within a specific scope tend to look similar, there are many ways that the elements in designs can be utilized in multiple variations. Considering this, there are many ways that a design can be implemented correctly, but there are many more ways in which a design can be implemented incorrectly. Following older projects that have been verified and accepted by other professionals in your industry can help keep you on track and know where not to deviate too far from proper procedures. It also familiarizes yourself with techniques, established standards, and common expectations of a certain scope within your industry.
3) Saving Time on Mid-project Revisions
One saying that holds very true in the design industry is, “The only consistent variable is change.” During a project, it is common for several changes to occur due to various reasons, such as client requests, emerging variables, or even shifts in team members. Not only can you expect regular changes, but it is not guaranteed for them to be permanent. In fact, it’s common for weeks after an approved change for someone higher up to decide they want the work reverted back back to a previous revision. This situation is mildly frustrating, but would be even more frustrating if that previous revision of a design had been deleted completely, trusting that the newer design would be firm. This can be avoided by saving a copy of the older versions of the design within the same workspace, or copying and saving it into some resource that you can pull from later.
4) Learning from Mistakes and Tracking your Growth
The best way to learn in any industry is by understanding your mistakes and taking corrective measures for them. After completing a project or a small task, take some time to review the mistakes that occurred and study the corrective measures that were used to direct it onto the correct path. Make a copy of the project, or print out documents detailing the journey of the project and have them handy to remind you at any time when you need a reminder for what happened. Depending on the nature of any future projects, the specific solution could be utilize in some capacity. Not only that, but having a copy of old projects can serve as a benchmark to show the progress that you have made when looking back on it years from now. Top of Form
Conclusion
Preserving copies of your old work is not just about safeguarding documents; it’s about learning proper procedures, saving time, maintaining a record of your growth, and holds other benefits. By holding onto your past projects, you create a personal repository that not only highlights your progress but also provides an archive of realistic and feasible solutions that work in real world situations. Whether you use this resource immensely or briefly, it will always hold some value as a developing professional in your respective field.