If you’ve ever had to manually recreate the same cost document for the third time, dig through email chains to find out who still hasn’t signed off, or update half a dozen spreadsheets just to track where things stand, you’re not alone.
For many construction teams, managing cost documentation is a frustrating mix of copy-paste routines, back-and-forth messages, and scattered systems. It’s time-consuming and error-prone, and honestly, it just slows everything down. A simple approval can turn into a multi-day chase, and status updates often live in separate spreadsheets, inboxes, or notepads.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right technology, you can simplify the way cost-related documents are created, automatically keep everything in one place, and speed up approvals.
Case in point: the document templates and e-signature integration capabilities in Cost Management within Autodesk Build.
Let’s explore the tools that make it easier to navigate cost documents and approvals.
Cost Management is built with flexibility and customization in mind. It allows you to configure the system to support your company and team’s specific workflows and preferences.
One standout example of this adaptability is the document template functionality, which enables you to standardize and automate documentation.
Here’s how it works: Project admins can create custom Word or Excel templates to auto-generate contracts and payment applications and change order documents directly from the system.
Users can choose to either customize the Autodesk-provided sample templates for each document type by inputting the appropriate variables to suit their needs, or they can build entirely new document templates from scratch. The flexibility of the document generator supports both scenarios
Once your templates are ready, simply upload them back into the system. Templates can be saved as part of a project template, which is used to streamline the creation of new projects. They can also be saved and managed at the account level within the Library, for use in both new and in-progress projects.
Managing templates within the Library enables centralized control and standardized usage across multiple projects. Updates to a template can be made and pushed across projects with just a few clicks, saving significant time. Or, if you like, simply upload and manage templates within a single project.
With templates loaded into a project, when a team member needs to generate a document, they can quickly select the appropriate template with minimal effort.
Don’t stress about figuring out which variables to use when building your document templates. Autodesk Build has you covered with the Document Generation Variable Finder.
This powerful tool is designed to help project admins and team members better understand and manage the available data schema. Instead of digging through documentation or relying on trial and error, the Variable Finder provides a clear visualization of the variable structure used in Cost Management, using actual data from your projects as examples. You can easily explore how data is organized, what each variable represents, and how it connects to your project data.
There’s also the built-in search functionality, which makes it fast and easy to locate specific variables and examine their data. This ensures your templates are not only accurate but also dynamically populated with the right information every time a document is generated.
Additionally, the Variable Finder supports advanced formatting and array table generation. This gives you more flexibility and simplifies the process of building robust, professional-grade templates—all while minimizing the learning curve for new users.
Generating documents is only part of the process—getting them reviewed and approved quickly is just as critical.
To help accelerate workflows and improve communication, Cost Management includes seamless e-signature integrations with today’s leading platforms: DocuSign, Adobe Sign, Dropbox Sign, and SignNow.
The e-signature integration makes it simple for your team to manage approvals. There’s no need to jump between platforms or download and re-upload files. All you need is an active subscription with one of the supported e-signature providers, and you’re good to go.
Want to see it in action? Check out the video below to watch a full DocuSign e-signature workflow using document templates—start to finish.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to scattered spreadsheets and approval delays, now’s the time to explore document templates and e-signature integrations in Cost Management.
Built to streamline your workflows and help your team stay focused on the work that matters, you’ll spend less time chasing approvals and more time getting things done.
Try these features today!
