Getting Started with Submittals in Autodesk® Build

What is the Submittals Tool?

Submittals are a formal process used to submit documents, materials, and equipment for approval from architects, engineers, clients, or other stakeholders involved in a construction project. The Submittals tool in Autodesk Build helps teams ensure that materials and equipment utilized in projects adhere to specifications and requirements. The tool is available both through web browsers and mobile devices.

Key Features and Capabilities

The Submittals tool includes:

• Customizable review Submittal Review Workflows
• Comprehensive permission controls
• Custom Responses for consistent feedback
• Submittal Attachments management with annotation capabilities
• Package organization for grouped submittals
• Spec section categorization
• Mobile access for on-site submittal management
• Export capabilities for documentation
• Activity logging for tracking all submittal-related actions
• Integration with other Build tools through references
• Review API functionality for integration with external architectural software

Understanding Submittal Organization

Autodesk Build provides two complementary methods for organizing submittals to match your project's needs:

Spec Sections

Spec sections help categorize submittals by type of work or discipline:

1. Purpose
   • Align submittals with project specifications
   • Group items by trade or work type
   • Maintain consistent documentation standards
2. Common Applications
   • Technical submissions by discipline (Electrical, Mechanical, etc.)
   • Material categories (Concrete, Steel, etc.)
   • System types (HVAC, Plumbing, etc.)
3. Benefits
   • Clear organization by work scope
   • Easy reference to specification requirements
   • Standardized categorization across projects
   • Simplified tracking by discipline

Packages

Packages group related submittals by physical location or project area:

1. Purpose
   • Organize submittals by location
   • Group related items for batch processing
   • Streamline review workflows
2. Common Applications
   • Building-specific groupings
   • Floor-by-floor organization
   • Area or zone-based collections
   • Phase-specific groupings
3. Benefits
   • Efficient batch processing
   • Clear spatial organization
   • Simplified tracking by location
   • Coordinated reviews of related items

Key Terminology

• Spec Section: Category that classifies submittal items by type of work
• Package: Group of related submittals typically organized by location
• Attachments: Files submitted for review (drawings, specifications, etc.)
• Review Template: Predefined workflow for submittal review
• Ball in Court: Current responsible party for action
• Final Response: Official decision on a submittal

Submittal Types

Common submittal types include:

• Shop Drawings
• Product Data
• Samples
• Test Reports
• Certifications
• Custom types as needed

Workflow Stages

1. Creation & Assignment

   • Create submittal item
   • Assign responsible contractor
   • Add attachments and references

2. Submission

   • Contractor submits for review
   • Manager receives submission

3. Review Process

   • Manager distributes for review
   • Reviewers provide feedback
   • Track responses in workflow table

4. Closure

   • Final response selection
   • Close and distribute
   • Create revisions if needed

For detailed information about specific features or workflows, refer to the individual feature documentation in the Build help:

• Work with Submittals
  • Create Submittal
  • Create Package
  • Create Spec section
  • Process Submittal
  • Submittal Attachments
  • Export Submittals
  • Search and Filter Submittals
• Submittals Administration
  • Submittal Permissions
  • Submittal Default Values
  • Submittal Custom Responses
  • Submittal Custom Numbering
  • Submittal Types
  • Submittal Review Workflows
  • Advanced Submittal Settings
  • Submittal Notifications

Want to learn more about this topic?

Check out our video courses to learn how to create, manage, review, and view Submittals.