knowledge.  Be  systematic  in  checking  and  editing drawings.  Review  the  suggested  procedures  described in chapter 4 of this TRAMAN; inasmuch as there are no set rules of procedure, perhaps you could develop your own system along these lines. During  the  preparation  of  construction  drawings, feel  free  to  consult  with  the  Builder,  Steelworker, Electrician,   Equipment   Operator,   or   Utilitiesman concerning   any   problems   that   may   arise.   These personnel will have to construct from your drawings. By consulting  with  them  beforehand,  you  may  avoid designs that are not feasible. Much time and effort may be  saved  by  simply  questioning  knowledgeable  people in  each  trade  involved.  Working  closely  with  the planning and estimating section is highly beneficial. Personnel in that section will know what materials are readily available and will eventually be required to make material estimates from your construction drawings. A wise drafting supervisor will have the planning and estimating  section  check  all  construction  drawings before  forwarding  them  for  approval. Training  of  Drafters A detail drafter must know just about all there is to know about prescribed conventions, procedures, and practices before he can be assigned to a detail (that is, a complete  drawing)  job.  The  best  way  to  train  new personnel  for  detail  work  is  to  assign  them  to  tracing, reproduction  making,  filing,  and  the  like,  with  the additional  requirement  of  continuous  spare-time  or downtime  study  of  appropriate  NAVFAC  publications and  military  standards.  That  study  should  include MIL-HDBK-1006/1  and  the  publications,  such  as MIL-STD-100E,   that   are   referred   to   in MIL-HDBK-1006/1. As you know, most drawings used in Seabee construction are prepared by professional architect-engineer  firms. Those drawings are a valuable source  of  study  for  the  new—and  even  the  more experienced—drafter  to  “see  how  the  professionals  do it.” A study of typical drawings in NAVFAC P-437, Facilities Planning Guide, is also helpful. Other typical drawings  and  drafting  conventions  can  be  found  in commercial  publications,  such  as  the  Architectural Graphic   Standards. Work Assignments and Work Schedules One of the most important responsibilities you will have as a drafting room supervisor is that of assigning work. To be able to do this, you must understand the work you must know exactly what you are asking each person to do and how it should be accomplished, and you must know each individual’s capabilities. A person may be proficient at one thing and not at another. Some individuals may be able to work well on projects that require cooperation with others; some work best alone. The varied aspects of each individual’s responsibilities and character should be taken into consideration in assigning  work. By now, you have probably had some experience with most of the work done by Seabee drafters. At one time or another, you probably have had to sit down and prepare  a  drawing  similar  to  the  one  you  will  be assigning to a subordinate. Or, if you have not had the experience  yourself,  you  probably  have  sat  beside someone  who  did;  and  if  you  were  alert  to  your opportunities, you profited by his experience. But there is more to it than that. As a supervisor, you must learn to be able to think through the job without ever actually putting anything on paper. You must be able to foresee all of the steps necessary to do the job in order (1) to get all the information needed for the job from  the  person  requesting  it  and  (2)  to  pass  this information onto the person assigned the job. Suppose, for example, that the operations officer has tasked the engineering  officer  to  take  a  standard  manufacturer’s preengineered metal building foundation design and modify it so that it will withstand wind forces of 150 miles per hour. The engineering officer has prepared sketches  from  his  calculations  and  has  given  the sketches to you to prepare construction drawings. You should first study these sketches to make sure you fully understand them. Ask the engineering officer to clarify anything  you  do  not  understand.  Add  notes  to  the sketches to help personnel in the field construct the foundation Check dimensions to make sure they are compatible with the original manufacturer’s drawings. And finally, after you have checked the sketch and made necessary  changes  and  additions,  review  the  sketches with the engineering officer to make certain that your changes and additions do not disagree with the original intent  of  his  design. The next step is the actual assignment. If the person to whom you are assigning the work is experienced, the sketches and a few guidelines will be sufficient. But, if the person is not experienced, the work will include some on-the-job training. You must describe the sketch fully, explaining the purpose of the sketch, the steps necessary  for  accomplishment  of  the  work,  and  all pertinent details. The drafter must be encouraged to ask you questions, and you must check his work as the drawing progresses. You must find his mistakes early to prevent his having to redo the entire drawing. Mistakes that  are  the  fault  of  poor  supervision  will  greatly demoralize  an  inexperienced  drafter. 14-6