Create a Flow
A Flow is a simple yet powerful way to manage your project in Better Building. Simply put, they allow you to connect your Designs to a project management system to track them over the lifecycle of your
Start a Flow
Every project starts with a Flow, and we get the ball rolling for you. Once a Project is created, you can update the goals, timelines, assign roles, and track progress. You can also store project documents, review work, and generate reports to keep quality high and teams aligned. Everything you need, in one place.
Define your Sub-Flows
A Sub-Flow can represent stages of a Project or stages defined by a scope of work. Indeed, a Flow or Sub-Flow does not need to be connected to activities on Better Building and be completely independent from the platform and for any suitable purpose. See Flow Examples below.
To create a Sub-flow within your project, navigate to the Flow area and click 'Add Flow'. This opens a form where you can enter key details such as the 'Title', 'Assignee', 'Reviewer', 'Start and end dates', 'Requirements'. You can also upload a file by clicking 'Select File' and choosing one from your system to share with your team. Them click 'Create' to add the subflow to your project.
You can repeat this process to add as many Sub-flows as needed, including nesting subflows within others, up to three levels deep beneath the main Project Flow.
Update the Flow Status
Once you're ready to begin work, navigate to the Sub-flow you're working on and find the status labelled 'Created'. Click on it and select 'Start Work' from the drop-down menu. This is where you manage the Status of your flow throughout the Project. If needed, you can also pause progress by selecting 'On Hold', or 'Cancel' the flow entirely if the work is no longer required.
Review
Once you've completed your work on a Flow or Sub-Flow, head back to the Flow Dashboard and click 'Submit for Review' where it says 'In Progress' in the top right corner. You’ll have the option to leave 'Comments' for your reviewer and update the reviewer if needed. Once you're ready, click 'Submit'. The Project Manager will then be notified by email that your work is ready for review and will either 'Review and Approve' your deliverable or 'Return to in Progress' for work to continue.
Flow Examples
One-Off Project Flow
A One-off Project Flow refers to a project with a single, clearly defined outcome. For instance, delivering an energy model that meets local building code requirements would qualify as a one-off project. In this case, the main flow is named after the overall project, Project , while the one-off deliverable, 'Energy model', is created as a subflow. To manage delivery, simply connect the relevant design to the 'Energy model' subflow. This keeps everything focused and easy to track from start to finish.
Independent Project Flow
An Independent Project Flow is a standalone flow that isn’t directly connected to activities on the Better Building platform. It’s ideal for managing external frameworks like Green Star, LEED or Passive House certification, where you can structure categories and credits as flows and subflows to keep things organised.
In this example, the main Flow is named after the overall project, Project X, while the certification goal (such as Green Star, LEED or Passive House) is set as a Sub-flow. Beneath that, the specific categories and credits from the chosen framework are also represented as Sub-flow, helping you manage each step of the process clearly and efficiently.
Multi-Staged Project Flow
A Multi-Staged Project Flow refers to a Project multiple deliverables over a long period. For example, the Sub-Flows might include Concept Design, Schematic Design, Detailed Design, and Construction.
Within each Sub-Flow stage, further nested Sub-Flows could represent energy modelling or daylight analysis. Once happy with all Sub-Flows, be sure to left click the date to revise the Start, End and Due dates and assign the person Delivering the Sub-Flow.
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