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The Steel Detailing Masterclass

Master the systems behind successful steel detailing projects

No more guesswork. Just proven systems, workflows and best practices used to deliver successful steel detailing projects, from the project review to the release for fabrication.

Modules
8
Lessons
32
Pace
Self-paced
Training content
About 40 hours
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Outcomes

What changes after the masterclass

Before

  • Working through projects with uncertainty and relying on trial and error
  • Reacting to RFIs, revisions and coordination issues after they occur
  • Making assumptions due to unclear processes and lack of standards
  • Learning through costly mistakes, rework and project delays
  • Struggling to move from detailer to checker, coordinator, manager or business owner

After

  • Identify project risks before they become RFIs, revisions, fabrication issues or site problems
  • Understand the complete detailing lifecycle from project review through fabrication release
  • Apply structured quality control that reduces errors, rework and lost productivity
  • Make informed decisions using industry best practices rather than assumptions
  • Lead projects, improve team performance and deliver predictable outcomes
  • Build scalable systems that support career and business growth

By role

What it changes for your role

Consultants

Command higher rates

Knowing project review, modelling, checking, BIM coordination and drawing production makes you a specialist rather than a Tekla operator: better projects, more complex and higher-value work, less competition on price alone.

Become a one-stop resource

Offer project reviews, checking, QA/QC reviews, BIM coordination and training, not only modelling.

Work independently

Understanding the full lifecycle reduces the need for supervision, which builds client trust, repeat business and long-term relationships.

Business owners

Build a scalable business

When knowledge sits with a few senior detailers, growth stalls. Standard workflows, training systems, modelling and drawing checklists and checking procedures mean faster onboarding and consistent quality.

Reduce rework and cost

Rework is the largest hidden cost in steel detailing. Project review, checking, coordination and drawing standards cut RFIs, drawing revisions, fabrication issues and site issues.

Develop future leaders

Senior detailers become checkers, checkers become coordinators, coordinators become managers, and the business depends less on the owner.

Leaders and managers

Better project control

A clear view of project risks, resource planning, model progress, checking workflows and drawing bottlenecks, for better forecasting, scheduling and productivity.

Stronger quality management

Project and modelling checklists, checking sequences and SOPs give consistent delivery, fewer client complaints and better profitability.

Improved client relationships

Managers who understand detailing hold more meaningful discussions with engineers, fabricators, erectors and project managers.

Career path

A career path, from student to business owner. The masterclass speeds up each step by teaching more than modelling.

  1. Student
  2. Junior detailer
  3. Detailer / modeller
  4. Senior detailer / modeller
  5. Checker
  6. Lead detailer
  7. Project coordinator
  8. Detailing manager
  9. Business owner

Beyond modelling, you learn how to

  • Review projects
  • Identify risks
  • Check work
  • Manage teams
  • Improve processes
  • Run a detailing business

What it builds across the industry

  • More competent detailers, better checkers and stronger project coordinators
  • Future detailing managers and business owners
  • Higher industry standards and fewer detailing errors
  • Better constructability awareness
  • Better collaboration between designers, fabricators and erectors

1Pre-detailing

The detailing workflow: three phases, five roles, in order

The project input is reviewed, conflicts go out as TQs, the readiness checklist and kick-off meeting set the plan, and the model is set up on checked grids.

Phase 1 of 3 ends withGrid line drawings printed for reference

Project Manager

  1. Project admin: prepare and hand over project input

Lead Detailer / Project Coordinator

  1. Project review: create TQs for any conflict
  2. Fill up the Detailing Readiness Checklist
  3. Initiate the kick-off meeting
  4. Create the detailing checklist
  5. Assign the modelling task

Modeller

  1. Model set up
  2. Model grids

Checker

  1. Check model set up and grids

Editor

  1. Edit grid line drawings and print for reference

2Detailing for approval

The model is built and connected in a fixed order, each stage checked behind it, while the editor produces the anchor bolt, GA, assembly and part drawings.

Phase 2 of 3 ends withIssue for approval: steel package

Project Manager

  1. Issue advance bill of materials
  2. Issue for approval: anchor/HD bolts plan and details
  3. Issue for approval: steel package

Lead Detailer / Project Coordinator

  1. Project administration and control
  2. Final review

Modeller

  1. Stick model
  2. Connecting: anchor/HD bolts
  3. Connecting: reference objects
  4. Connecting: main steel
  5. Connecting: secondary steel
  6. Modelling and connecting: miscellaneous steel
  7. Clash checking
  8. Phase check and update
  9. Model properties check and update
  10. Numbering
  11. Model fixing as needed

Checker

  1. Checking: stick model
  2. Model checking: anchor/HD bolts
  3. Drawing checking: anchor/HD bolts plan and details
  4. Connection checking: main steel
  5. Connection checking: secondary steel
  6. Connection checking: miscellaneous steel
  7. Constructability checking
  8. Visual checking for duplicate steel
  9. Checking: GA drawings
  10. Checking: assembly drawings
  11. Checking: part drawings

Editor

  1. Create and edit: anchor/HD bolts
  2. Create and edit: GA drawings set up
  3. Update: GA drawings
  4. Create and edit: assembly drawings
  5. Create and edit: part drawings
  6. Backdrafting: GA and shop drawings

3Detailing for fabrication and construction

Approval return drawings are reviewed, the model is fixed and renumbered, the drawings are updated and checked again, then released to the shop and site.

Phase 3 of 3 ends withIssue for fabrication and construction

Project Manager

  1. Project admin: prepare and hand over approval return drawings
  2. Issue for fabrication and construction

Lead Detailer / Project Coordinator

  1. Review approval return drawings
  2. Create TQs for clarification
  3. Prepare documents for model fixing
  4. Prepare documents for backdrafting
  5. Final review

Modeller

  1. Model fixing and numbering

Checker

  1. Check model fixing applied
  2. Constructability checking
  3. Checking: GA drawing
  4. Checking: shop drawings

Editor

  1. Drawing update: GA drawing
  2. Drawing update: shop drawings
  3. Backdrafting: GA and shop drawings

Curriculum

The course outline

8 modules and 32 lessons, built on the academy's detailing manual and team job descriptions. The first lessons are free to read.

Module 1

Steel detailing lifecycle and process

How the manual is used and the three phases of a detailing project, role by role.

  1. How to use the detailing manual Free, 2 min
  2. Understanding the steel detailing workflow 6 min
  3. The detailing workflow in three phases Free, 4 min

Module 2

Project team roles and responsibilities

The Detailing Manager, Lead Detailer, Checker and Detailer: who reports to whom, their duties and the career path between them.

  1. The detailing team and the career path 4 min
  2. Detailing Manager 4 min
  3. Lead Detailer / Project Coordinator 4 min
  4. Checker 3 min
  5. Detailer / Modeller 3 min

Module 3

Pre-detailing

Project inputs, folders and naming, the project review, the kick-off meeting and the Project Checklist.

  1. Project inputs 4 min
  2. Project folder structure and naming 3 min
  3. Project review and the Detailing Readiness Checklist 4 min
  4. Kick-off meeting, schedule and sequencing 2 min
  5. Coating and surface preparation 2 min
  6. The Project Checklist 5 min

Module 4

TQs and RFIs

Raising, preparing, submitting, tracking and closing Technical Queries and Requests for Information.

  1. TQs and RFIs, and when to raise each 3 min
  2. Identifying, reviewing and preparing a TQ or RFI 4 min
  3. Submitting, tracking and closing a TQ or RFI 4 min

Module 5

Modelling

Model set up, grids, object properties, material grades, numbering and the modelling checklists.

  1. Model set up 3 min
  2. Modelling grids 3 min
  3. Phasing and object properties 4 min
  4. Material grades 2 min
  5. Stick modelling and connecting checklists 5 min
  6. Numbering setup 1 min

Module 6

Checking

The checking sequence: grids and anchors, the stick model, connections, clashes and drawings.

  1. Document review and the checking sequence 2 min
  2. Checking grids, anchors and the stick model 2 min
  3. Checking connections 2 min
  4. Clash checking 1 min
  5. Checking drawings 2 min

Module 7

Editing

Preparing erection plans and shop drawings for checking and issue.

  1. Editing erection and marking plans 5 min
  2. Editing shop drawings 7 min

Module 8

Variation and revision

Controlling revisions and change orders from the instruction to the reissued drawings.

  1. Managing variations and revisions 3 min
  2. The approved model and drawing revision checklist 5 min
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Packages start at ₱24,999 for 12 months of access.