Create Your First Project
Create Your First Project
Section titled “Create Your First Project”A Project is the core container of knowledge in Darwin.
Every estimation, document, IFC model, module, price list, and revision lives inside a project.
Before you can estimate anything, you must create one.
This page walks you through:
- what a project represents
- how to create your first one
- what each field means
- recommended practices for organizing real projects
1. What a Project Represents
Section titled “1. What a Project Represents”In Darwin, a project is:
- the place where all cost information lives
- a timeline of decisions and revisions
- a container for documents, IFC imports, and correspondence
- the context for your estimations
- the workspace where teams collaborate
Once a project is created, everything else — modules, IFC data, estimations, price reviews — connects back to it.
2. Creating a New Project
Section titled “2. Creating a New Project”To create your first project, follow these steps:
- Navigate to Projects in the sidebar.
- Click Create Project.
- Fill in the required fields (explained below).
- Click Save to generate the project container.
After saving, you will land on the Project Summary page — the main dashboard for your work.
Screenshot placeholder:
Add here: Create Project form
3. Understanding Each Field
Section titled “3. Understanding Each Field”When creating a project, you will see several fields.
Here’s what each one means and how it affects your workflow.
Project Name
Section titled “Project Name”Give your project a clear and recognizable name.
Examples:
- “Office Building – Phase 1”
- “Residential Tower – Preconstruction”
- “Warehouse Renovation – Concept Estimate”
Client (optional)
Section titled “Client (optional)”Allows you to link the project to a specific client record.
Useful for grouping work and managing documents.
Location
Section titled “Location”The project’s physical location.
Used for:
- transportation calculations
- currency/exchange considerations
- future regional pricing features
BIM Settings (optional)
Section titled “BIM Settings (optional)”If you plan to import an IFC model, you can predefine BIM-related preferences here.
These settings can always be adjusted later.
Tip:
You can create projects with or without BIM. Darwin supports both workflows equally.
4. After Creating the Project
Section titled “4. After Creating the Project”Once saved, Darwin will display the Project Summary, which includes:
- total estimations
- applied price lists
- attached documents
- IFC files and import sessions
- recent activity
- collaboration tasks
This summary acts as your launching point for the entire project workflow.
From here, you can:
- import an IFC
- create your first estimation
- upload documents
- manage modules and price lists
- invite collaborators (if enabled)
5. Best Practices
Section titled “5. Best Practices”To keep your pilot projects clean and easy to navigate:
Use clear naming conventions
Section titled “Use clear naming conventions”Avoid generic project names like “Test 1” or “Sample Project.”
Instead, use descriptive titles.
Create one project per estimate
Section titled “Create one project per estimate”Darwin is designed around project containers — not mixed folders.
Attach relevant documents early
Section titled “Attach relevant documents early”Plans, drawings, specs, and RFQs help contextualize your modules and inputs.
If working with IFC, import it before estimating
Section titled “If working with IFC, import it before estimating”This ensures quantities and classifications are ready when you start building your cost structure.
6. Next Step
Section titled “6. Next Step”Your project is now ready.
Continue to the next chapter: