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
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.
- Student
- Junior detailer
- Detailer / modeller
- Senior detailer / modeller
- Checker
- Lead detailer
- Project coordinator
- Detailing manager
- 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
- Project admin: prepare and hand over project input
Lead Detailer / Project Coordinator
- Project review: create TQs for any conflict
- Fill up the Detailing Readiness Checklist
- Initiate the kick-off meeting
- Create the detailing checklist
- Assign the modelling task
Modeller
- Model set up
- Model grids
Checker
- Check model set up and grids
Editor
- 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
- Issue advance bill of materials
- Issue for approval: anchor/HD bolts plan and details
- Issue for approval: steel package
Lead Detailer / Project Coordinator
- Project administration and control
- Final review
Modeller
- Stick model
- Connecting: anchor/HD bolts
- Connecting: reference objects
- Connecting: main steel
- Connecting: secondary steel
- Modelling and connecting: miscellaneous steel
- Clash checking
- Phase check and update
- Model properties check and update
- Numbering
- Model fixing as needed
Checker
- Checking: stick model
- Model checking: anchor/HD bolts
- Drawing checking: anchor/HD bolts plan and details
- Connection checking: main steel
- Connection checking: secondary steel
- Connection checking: miscellaneous steel
- Constructability checking
- Visual checking for duplicate steel
- Checking: GA drawings
- Checking: assembly drawings
- Checking: part drawings
Editor
- Create and edit: anchor/HD bolts
- Create and edit: GA drawings set up
- Update: GA drawings
- Create and edit: assembly drawings
- Create and edit: part drawings
- 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
- Project admin: prepare and hand over approval return drawings
- Issue for fabrication and construction
Lead Detailer / Project Coordinator
- Review approval return drawings
- Create TQs for clarification
- Prepare documents for model fixing
- Prepare documents for backdrafting
- Final review
Modeller
- Model fixing and numbering
Checker
- Check model fixing applied
- Constructability checking
- Checking: GA drawing
- Checking: shop drawings
Editor
- Drawing update: GA drawing
- Drawing update: shop drawings
- 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.
- How to use the detailing manual Free, 2 min
- Understanding the steel detailing workflow 6 min
- 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.
- The detailing team and the career path 4 min
- Detailing Manager 4 min
- Lead Detailer / Project Coordinator 4 min
- Checker 3 min
- Detailer / Modeller 3 min
Module 3
Pre-detailing
Project inputs, folders and naming, the project review, the kick-off meeting and the Project Checklist.
- Project inputs 4 min
- Project folder structure and naming 3 min
- Project review and the Detailing Readiness Checklist 4 min
- Kick-off meeting, schedule and sequencing 2 min
- Coating and surface preparation 2 min
- The Project Checklist 5 min
Module 4
TQs and RFIs
Raising, preparing, submitting, tracking and closing Technical Queries and Requests for Information.
- TQs and RFIs, and when to raise each 3 min
- Identifying, reviewing and preparing a TQ or RFI 4 min
- 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.
- Model set up 3 min
- Modelling grids 3 min
- Phasing and object properties 4 min
- Material grades 2 min
- Stick modelling and connecting checklists 5 min
- Numbering setup 1 min
Module 6
Checking
The checking sequence: grids and anchors, the stick model, connections, clashes and drawings.
- Document review and the checking sequence 2 min
- Checking grids, anchors and the stick model 2 min
- Checking connections 2 min
- Clash checking 1 min
- Checking drawings 2 min
Module 7
Editing
Preparing erection plans and shop drawings for checking and issue.
- Editing erection and marking plans 5 min
- Editing shop drawings 7 min
Module 8
Variation and revision
Controlling revisions and change orders from the instruction to the reissued drawings.
- Managing variations and revisions 3 min
- The approved model and drawing revision checklist 5 min
Packages start at ₱24,999 for 12 months of access.
