A well-organized project is easier to work on, less prone to errors, and simpler to hand off to other team members.
Here are some best practices for keeping your Togal.AI projects tidy and efficient.
1. Use a Consistent Naming Convention
Projects: Use a clear format, like [Project Number] - [Project Name] - [Bid Package](e.g., 24-001 - Downtown Medical Center - BP-01 Sitework)
Classifications: Be descriptive. LVT-1 is better than Flooring; Partition - 4 7/8" - 1hr is better than Wall
Drawings: Rely on Togal’s auto-naming feature, but review it for consistency
2. Structure Your Classifications with Folders
Don’t have one giant, flat list of classifications. Group them into folders, ideally mirroring a standard format like CSI MasterFormat, such as - 03 - Concrete, - 08 - Openings, - 09 - Finishes, - 26 - Electrical.
This makes finding the right classification much faster.
3. Leverage Drawing Folders and Tags
• Folders: Use folders on the Drawings page for major disciplines (Architectural, Structural, MEP).
• Tags: Use tags for flexible, status-based organization. Tags are great for:
– For Review
– RFI-101
– Superseded
– Bid Set
4. Build and Use a Company Library
Invest time in building a master Library of your standard classifications and assemblies. For each new project, import the items you need from the library. This enforces consistency and saves massive amounts of setup time.
5. Use Color-Coding Logically
Assign specific colors to specific trades or material types and stick to them. For example, all concrete takeoffs are gray, all drywall is yellow, all flooring is blue.
This makes the takeoff overlays instantly readable to anyone on your team.
By following these organizational principles, you create a scalable and professional workflow that reduces errors and makes collaboration seamless.